ATW - Working In The Theatre - Production: Thoroughly Modern Millie - April, 2002

Production: Thoroughly Modern Millie - April, 2002

08/01/07 • 90 min

"Thoroughly Modern Millie"'s creative and production team -- choreographer Rob Ashford, general manager Nina Lannan, producer Hal Luftig, director Michael Mayer, book writer/lyricist Dick Scanlan and composer Jeanine Tesori -- discuss the Tony Award winning musical's journey to Broadway; obtaining the rights to the 1967 Universal Pictures film written by Richard Morris and starring Julie Andrews; years of development in workshops and readings; how the production team came together, including Rob Ashford's choreographer audition; the mixture of existing songs and new Tesori compositions; the advantages and disadvantages of mounting the show in partnership with La Jolla Playhouse; the many producers involved, including road presenters; the decision and budgetary considerations in opening on Broadway with a rigious preview period versus a second out-of-town tryout.

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Performance - April, 2002

Actors Frank Langella ("Fortune's Fool"), John Lithgow ("Sweet Smell of Success"), Andrea Martin ("Oklahoma!"), Estelle Parsons ("Mornings at Seven"), Mercedes Ruehl ("The Goat, Or Who Is Sylvia?"), Jeffrey Wright ("Top Dog/Under Dog") discuss playing a range of roles, what influences their performances including daily life and audience response, how to prepare for a performance, and working with directors in finding courage and confidence.

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Playwright and Director - April, 2002

Playwrights Jon Robin Baitz ("Hedda Gabbler"), John Guare ("Sweet Smell of Success"), Peter Parnell ("Q.E.D."), and directors Gene Saks ("Mr. Goldwyn"), Daniel Sullivan ("Proof"), and Mary Zimmerman ("Metamorphoses") discuss their approaches to writing, directing, and adaptations; the collaboration process with directors, writers, producers, sets, and actors; reactions to a production's first preview; and the source of ideas for playwrights.