Millie Dillmount, the lead character in "Thoroughly Modern Millie," will be able to give you some insight. The zany romantic spoof sends the Bible-clutching country girl on a jazzy journey through the Big Apple in her quest to marry into wealth, until love interferes.

"Thoroughly Modern Millie" will be presented by the Ball State Department of Theatre and Dance and directed by Bill Jenkins, chair of the department. Shows will be at 7:30 p.m., Nov. 9-11 and 15-18 with a 2:30 p.m. matinee Nov. 12. All shows will be at University Theatre.

"This show, which is a prototypical Broadway musical, will be great fun for the whole family," Jenkins said. "The great cast of characters will be terrifically fun."

This jazzy musical was inspired by a 1967 film written by Richard Morris and starring Julie Andrews and Mary Tyler Moore. Later the musical was adapted for the stage with new music by Jeanine Tesori. The production was awarded six Tony Awards in 2002, including best musical and best choreography.

Terra Mackintosh leads the cast as Millie; Ryan Stutz as the unemployed admirer Jimmy; Kate Bernhardt as the wealthy dreamer Miss Dorothy; and Beth Turcotte, associate professor of theater, as the villainous Mrs. Meers.

Ticket cost $15 for the general public, $13 for Ball State faculty and staff, and $9 for students.  Tickets are available at the University Theatre Box Office, which is open Monday through Friday and can be reached at (765) 285-8749.  For more information visit www.bsu.edu/theatre.

Future productions include:

"Rhythm and Soul (A Passion for Latin)" - 7:30 p.m., Nov. 9-11, Nov. 15-18; 2:30 p.m., Dec. 10. Cold winter evenings heat up as Ball State Dance Theatre brings the sultry movement and music of Latin dance to University Theatre.

"The Colored Museum" - 7:30 p.m., Feb. 15-17, Feb. 21-24; 2:30 p.m., Feb. 18. Eleven museum "exhibits" create a sophisticated, satirical and seriously funny investigation of what it means to be black in America.


By Jody Kress