Brenda Braxton to Star in Maltz Jupiter and Paper Mill's THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE; Full Cast Announced!

Rehearsals begin Tuesday for Thoroughly Modern Millie, a co-production that will originate at the Maltz Jupiter Theatre in Jupiter, Fla., March 5 - 24, and continue at Paper Mill Playhouse in Millburn, New Jersey, April 10 - May 5.

A high-spirited romp that has all of New York dancing the Charleston, Thoroughly Modern Millie tells the story of a small-town girl who travels to New York City to marry for money instead of love. Audiences will relive the roaring 1920s in this Tony Award-winning musical featuring jazz, thunderous tap dancing, frisky flappers and dashing leading men.

The role of Muzzy van Hossmere will be played by Tony-nominated legendary actress Brenda Braxton - recently seen in the Feb. 5 second season premiere episode of NBC's musical drama "Smash" - and seen on Broadway in Chicago, Smokey Joe's Café, Jelly's Last Jam, Dreamgirls, Cats and more.

Trevor Graydon III will be played by veteran actor Burke Moses, whose Broadway credits include Guys and Dolls, Disney's Beauty and the Beast and the revival of Kiss Me, Kate, among others. Mrs. Meers will be portrayed by prominent actress Lenora Nemetz, well-known for her roles on Broadway in Cabaret, Chicago and Working, among others.

The production will star Laurie Veldheer as Millie Dilmount, seen recently in Disney's Newsies! on Broadway. The role of Jimmy Smith will be played by Jeff Kready, seen on Broadway in Billy Elliot and the revivals of Sunday in the Park with George and Les Miserables.

"It's thrilling for the Maltz Jupiter Theatre to be originating this production and co-producing it with a regional theatre with such an incredible history and reputation for quality," said the Theatre's producing artistic director, Andrew Kato. "We partnered with Paper Mill Playhouse and the Cleveland Play House for our Theatre's production of Lost in Yonkers several years ago, and we couldn't be happier to be working with Mark Hoebee and Paper Mill Playhouse again for Thoroughly Modern Millie."

The production will be directed by Paper Mill Playhouse's producing artistic director, Mark S. Hoebee. The Theatre will also welcome back acclaimed choreographer Denis Jones for the musical, who won the Carbonell Award for Best Choreography in the Maltz Jupiter Theatre's production of The Boy Friend.

Based on the 1967 film of the same name, Thoroughly Modern Millie opened on Broadway in April 2002. Featuring hit songs such as "Gimme Gimme" and "Not for the Life of Me," the production subsequently won six Tony Awards and five Drama Desk Awards, including the win for Best Musical at both award ceremonies. It also launched the career of actress Sutton Foster (who starred as Millie Dillmount) into Broadway stardom.

"We've been celebrating our 10th Anniversary Season all year, and Thoroughly Modern Millie will be the cherry on top. It's impossible not to love it," said the Theatre's producing artistic director, Andrew Kato. "It's terrifically funny, from beginning to end, and the dancing is nonstop and infectious."

Thoroughly Modern Millie is sponsored by Kathy and Joe Savarese and Homecare America and Joan and Allen Bildner. Tickets are now on sale now for the rest of the theatre's 10th Anniversary season, and subscriptions are currently on sale for the Theatre's 2013/14 season, Your Ticket to Great Entertainment. For a complete schedule and tickets, call (561) 575-2223 or visit www.jupitertheatre.org.

More Articles by This Author...