Thoroughly Modern Millie

Thoroughly Modern Millie
Forget about the boy when a small town girl searches for a new life in the bright lights of 1920s New York City.

The winner of six Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Thoroughly Modern Millie was the 2002 season's most awarded new show on Broadway! Based on the 1967 Academy Award-winning film, Thoroughly Modern Millie takes you back to the height of the Jazz Age in New York City, when "moderns," including a flapper named Millie Dillmount, were bobbing their hair, raising their hemlines, entering the workforce and rewriting the rules of love. This high-spirited musical romp is a delightful valentine to the long-standing spirit of New York City and the people who seek to discover themselves there.

Set in New York City in 1922, Thoroughly Modern Millie tells the story of young Millie Dillmount from Kansas, who comes to New York in search of a new life for herself. Her grand plan is to find a job as a secretary for a wealthy man and then marry him. However, her plan goes completely awry. The owner of her dingy hotel kidnaps young girls to sell, her wealthy boss is slow in proposing marriage, and the man she actually falls in love with doesn't have a dime to his name... or so he tells her.

Filled with frisky flappers, dashing leading men and a dragon lady of a villainess that audiences will love to hate, Thoroughly Modern Millie is a perfectly constructed evening of madcap merriment. From explosive tap numbers to a "Fred and Ginger" routine on a window ledge, this is the perfect show for theatres that are looking to show off the dance skills of their performers. In Millie Dillmount, musical theatre has found a new heroine for the ages in Thoroughly Modern Millie!

Thoroughly Modern Millie is unavailable while the authors update the show to lend a fresh perspective for our “thoroughly modern” times. The authors and MTI are thankful for the feedback we have received from customers and educators regarding this title. While the re-release date is currently unknown, you may click “Follow” on this page to stay updated on the show’s status. We look forward to Millie’s return!

A Message from the Authors

An insightful and in depth podcast with Jeanine Tesori and Dick Scanlan on the portrayal of characters in Thoroughly Modern Millie.

Character portrayal in Thoroughly Modern Millie

THIS TITLE IS CURRENTLY UNAVAILABLE FOR LICENSING. PERUSAL AND LICENSE APPLICATIONS ARE NOT AVAILABLE UNTIL RELEASE

Concert Selections for Thoroughly Modern Millie

MTI is pleased to provide the pre-approved rental materials of select songs for your symphonic concert performance. Please note, MTI is unable to grant the necessary Performance Rights with this material rental. The Performance Rights needed must be obtained separately through the individual song’s respective small rights agency such as ASCAP, BMI, or SESAC. Please email concerts@mtishows.com with any questions.

  • AH, SWEET MYSTERY / FALLING IN LOVE
    First Performance Fee:
    $175
    Each Additional Performance:
    $100
    Music by
    TESORI, JEANINE
    Lyrics by
    SCANLAN, DICK
    Orchestrated by
    RALPH BURNS & DOUG BESTERMAN
    show more...
    Arrangement Details
    Song Type: Show Extraction
    Starting Key
    B
    Estimated duration
    4 min 30 sec
    Instrumentation

    5 Bass, 6 Cello, 1 Drums, 1 Guitar, 1 Harp, 1 Horn, 2 Percussion, 1 Piano, 1 Reed 1 (Flute), 1 Reed 2 (Clarinet & Flute), 1 Reed 3 (Clarinet), 1 Reed 4 (Flute, Bass Clarinet, Baritone Saxophone), 1 Trumpet 1, 1 Trumpet 2, 1 Trumpet 3, 1 Trombone 1, 1 Trombone 2, 17 Violin, 3 Piano Vocal, 1 Full Score

  • FORGET ABOUT THE BOY
    First Performance Fee:
    $175
    Each Additional Performance:
    $100
    Music by
    TESORI, JEANINE
    Lyrics by
    SCANLAN, DICK
    Orchestrated by
    RALPH BURNS & DOUG BESTERMAN
    show more...
    Arrangement Details
    Song Type: Show Extraction
    Arranged for
    1 FEMALE VOICE, FEMALE CHORUS
    Starting Key
    F
    Estimated duration
    3 min 23 sec
    Instrumentation

    5 Bass, 6 Cello, 1 Drums, 1 Guitar, 1 Harp, 1 Horn, 2 Piano Conductor Score, 2 percussion, 1 Piano, 2 Piano Vocal Score, 1 Reed 1, 1 Reed 2, 1 Reed 3, 1 Reed 4, 2 Trombone, 3 Trumpet, 20 Vocal Books, 1 Full Score

  • GIMME GIMME
    First Performance Fee:
    $175
    Each Additional Performance:
    $100
    Music by
    TESORI, JEANINE
    Lyrics by
    SCANLAN, DICK
    Orchestrated by
    RALPH BURNS & DOUG BESTERMAN
    show more...
    Arrangement Details
    Song Type: Show Extraction
    Arranged for
    1 FEMALE VOICE
    Starting Key
    D
    Estimated duration
    3 min 34 sec
    Instrumentation

    5 bass, 6 cello, 17 violins, 2 percussion, 1 drums, 1 guitar, 1 harp, 1 horn, 1 piano, 1 reed 1, 1 reed 2, 1 reed 3, 1 reed 4, 2 trombones, 3 trumpets, 2 Piano Conductor Scores, 1 Full Score

  • I TURNED THE CORNER
    First Performance Fee:
    $175
    Each Additional Performance:
    $100
    Music by
    Jeanine Tesori
    Lyrics by
    Dick Scanlan
    show more...
    Arrangement Details
    Song Type: Show Extraction
    Starting Key
    E
    Instrumentation

    1 Flute,2 Clarinet,1 Bass Clarinet,1 Horn,3 Trumpets,2 Trombones,Drums, 3 Percussion,Guitar,Piano,Harp,16 Violins,6 Cello,5 Bass,1 Full Score,2 Piano Vocal

  • JIMMY
    First Performance Fee:
    $175
    Each Additional Performance:
    $100
    Music by
    TESORI, JEANINE
    Lyrics by
    SCANLAN, DICK
    Orchestrated by
    RALPH BURNS & DOUG BESTERMAN
    show more...
    Arrangement Details
    Song Type: Show Extraction
    Arranged for
    1 FEMALE VOICE
    Starting Key
    G
    Estimated duration
    3 min 28 sec
    Instrumentation

    5 bass, 6 cello, 17 violins, 2 percussion, 1 drums, 1 guitar, 1 harp, 1 horn, 1 piano, 1 reed 1, 1 reed 2, 1 reed 3, 1 reed 4, 2 trombones, 3 trumpets, 2 Piano Conductor Scores, 1 Full Score

  • NOT FOR THE LIFE OF ME
    First Performance Fee:
    $175
    Each Additional Performance:
    $100
    Music by
    Jeanine Tesori
    Lyrics by
    Dick Scanlan
    Orchestrated by
    Ralph Burns & Doug Besterman
    show more...
    Arrangement Details
    Song Type: Show Extraction
    Instrumentation

    (2) Reed 1 (Flute, Alto Sax), 1 Reed 2 (Clarinet), (2) Reed 3 (Clarinet, Tenor Sax), (2) Reed 4 (Bass Clarinet, Baritone Sax), 1 Horn, 3 Trumpets, 1 Trombone, 1 Tuba, 1 Harp, 1 Banjo, 1 Piano, 1 Percussion (Vibes), 1 Drums, (16) Violins, (6) Cello, (5) Bass; 2 Piano-Conductor Scores, 1 Full Score

  • OVERTURE ("THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE")
    First Performance Fee:
    $175
    Each Additional Performance:
    $100
    Music by
    Jeanine Tesori
    show more...
    Arrangement Details
    Song Type: Show Extraction
    Instrumentation

    Reed 1 (Flute, Alto Sax), Reed 2 (Clarinet, Alto Sax), Reed 3 (Oboe, Teor Sax), Reed 4 (Bass Clarinet, Baritone Sax), 1 Horn, 3 Trumpets, 2 Trombones, Drums, Percussion, 1 Banjo, 1 Piano, 1 Harp, (16) Violins, (6) Cello, Bass. Your rental materials will also include 2 Piano-Conductor Scores and 1 Full Score.

  • THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE
    First Performance Fee:
    $125
    Each Additional Performance:
    $75
    Music by
    TESORI, JEANINE
    Lyrics by
    SCANLAN, DICK
    Orchestrated by
    RALPH BURNS & DOUG BESTERMAN
    show more...
    Arrangement Details
    Song Type: Show Extraction
    Arranged for
    1 FEMALE VOICE, CHORUS
    Starting Key
    A♭
    Estimated duration
    2 min 57 sec
    Instrumentation

    5 bass, 6 cello, 17 violins, 2 percussion, 1 drums, 1 guitar, 1 harp, 1 horn, 1 piano, 1 reed 1, 1 reed 2, 1 reed 3, 1 reed 4, 2 trombones, 3 trumpets, 2 Piano Conductor Scores, 1 Full Score, 20 Chorus Books

  • WHAT DO I NEED WITH LOVE
    First Performance Fee:
    $175
    Each Additional Performance:
    $100
    show more...
    Arrangement Details
    Song Type: Show Extraction

Questions & Answers

January 08, 2018
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Related shows or resources: Thoroughly Modern Millie
Listings do not appear

Why do my listings not appear?  I have a Beauty and the Beast and Thoroughly Modern Millie entry, neither of which show up.  On my Seussical entry, which does appear, I can only see the first sentence in the description block. Please advise what I am doing wrong.  This site used to generate numerous rentals---since it was revamped, none.

thank you,

Max Hunsicker

hunsickerm@manheimcentral.org

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May 18, 2016
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Related shows or resources: Full Reference Score, Thoroughly Modern Millie
Orchestration
I am cast as Muzzy in Thoroughly Modern Millie. The musical director has the orchestrations for "Only in New York" and "Long as I'm here with you" but the key doesn't match the key of the original Broadway recording. sung by Sheryl Lee Ralph. Why is this? What key did Sheryl Lee Ralph sing these songs in? Also do you have the performance tracks for these songs in Sheryl's key? What would it cost to have the orchestrations transposed for both of these songs?
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January 07, 2016
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Related shows or resources: Thoroughly Modern Millie
Thoroughly Modern Millie cue cards for Ching Ho and Bun Foo dialogue translation.
We would like to use cue cards (non electronic) to present the Chng Ho/BunFoo dialogue. Does anyone have any advice? How large the letters? Easel ? Turn pages "book format or over the top? All input is appreciated. (We would rent/buy them if anyone has them available).
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July 26, 2012
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Related shows or resources: Thoroughly Modern Millie JR., Thoroughly Modern Millie
Laundry Carts - Help Needed!
Any suggestions on where to find the large laundry carts needed for TMM? Any and all help appreciated!
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January 18, 2011
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Related shows or resources: Thoroughly Modern Millie, Thoroughly Modern Millie JR.
help with modern millie chinese characters
I am planning to do Modern Millie and I am uncomfortable/nervous about the whole chinese character spoof bit- i really do not know much about this show- assume it is supposed to be a spoof but am nervous about our white caucasian rural community not "getting it"...and on top of it we have a NEW AND SMALL aisan community now in the area that i do not want to offend....any advise as soon as possible would be greatly appreciated....
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