The venerable Toby’s Dinner Theater of
Columbia, Md. has been presenting exceptional productions over the past 25
years. One of them is the Tony award- winning musical “Thoroughly Modern
Millie,” masterfully directed by Toby Orenstein, who has been directing most of
Toby’s productions since the theater opened in ‘79. “Thoroughly Modern Millie”
is about a plucky young woman from Ohio who
moves to 1920s Manhattan
where she finds adventures and love.
This show boasts of a top-notch cast.
Lauren Spencer-Harris gave a virtuoso performance as Millie, she was riveting
to watch especially in her solo numbers “Jimmy” and “Gimme, Gimme.” Jeffrey
Shankle was mesmerizing as Millie’s love interest, Jimmy. Not only is he
handsome but he also has an engaging presence. He was also a splendid match to
Ms. Spencer-Harris particularly in their numbers, “I Turned The Corner,” “I’m
Falling In Love With Someone,” and “Long As I’m Here With You.”
Worth singling out are Tess Rohan, a
vibrant soprano, as Dorothy Brown, Lawrence Munsey, a fine tenor and a
commanding presence, as Mr. Trevor Greydon. The very funny Debra
Barber-Eaton as the wicked Mrs. Meers who utters her character’s “It’s so sad
to be alone in the world” throughout the show with much gusto. The charming
Richelle Howie lends her beautifully textured voice to “Only In New York,” and
“Long As I’m Here With You.” Ms. Howie is a well-known Washington D.C.
performer and choreographer. Hats off to the fine male and female
ensemble with their crisp choreography.
The exuberant by Dick Scanlan score
includes such showstoppers as “Not For The Life Of Me,” The Speed Test,"
The Nutty Cracker Suite," “What Do I Need
With Love?," “Forget About The
Boy,” and “Thoroughly Modern Millie.” For those of you interested in
seeing this show, it will still be at Toby’s till June 18. You can call
301-596-6161 for reservations.
E-MAIL: ddeloro4@aol.com
In Manila,
movie actress Susan Roces and her family did not participate at the Malacanang
ceremony June 9 when her late husband, movie “king,” and former presidential
candidate Fernando Poe Jr. was conferred the title of National Artist.
Roces sent word to the National
Commission on Culture and the Arts (NCCA) that she had asked family friend,
respected film director and National Artist Eddie Romero, to accept for the
family the posthumous recognition for her husband from President Gloria
Macapagal-Arroyo.
But Presidential Chief of Staff Michael
Defensor said that in accordance with Palace protocol regarding presidential
awards and based on the “history of acceptance” only family members should
accept the title for the honoree.
Roces’s decision to snub the Palace event
was not surprising. Her allies had advised her to do so since Malaca±ang
announced last month that Poe and five others
would be conferred the title of National Artist in their respective
fields of expertise.
