Onstage July 13-16, the Tryon Little Theater and the Tryon Fine Arts Center will present “Thoroughly Modern Millie” as the 47^th annual youth summer musical, continuing the tradition begun by the Tryon Youth Center in 1970. And in the talented young cast this year, kids from Tryon, Columbus, Landrum, Lynn, Ellenboro, Rutherfordton, Hendersonville, Campobello, Taylors, and Lyman.

It’s the 1920s Jazz Age — there’s lively music, energetic dancing, ridiculous comedy, tacky intrigue, and just for more fun, mistaken identity. It’s 1922, and Millie Dillmount (played by Faith Augustine) has run off to New York City, determined to become a success. She bobs her hair and turns herself into a “flapper,” with plans to marry a rich husband, never mind love.

But Millie gets mugged, and bumps into handsome young Jimmy Smith (Lane Ruff), a decidedly non-wealthy paperclip salesman. She moves into a hotel for women, run by Mrs. Meers (Maggie Collins), the mysterious, evil owner of the hotel. Millie befriends Miss Dorothy (Amelia Nespeca), a wealthy woman incognito as a hotel resident. Then there’s Ching Ho (Luke Miller) and Bun Foo (Sarah Searcy), who work for Mrs. Meers.

Millie gets a job working for the wealthy Trevor Graydon III (Travis Pressley) — perfect for her plans, except she keeps thinking about the paperclip salesman, who invites her to a party at the home of famous singer Muzzy Van Hossmere (Alivia Swayze).

Then there are the other residents at Mrs. Meers’ hotel, secretaries at Graydon’s office, and partygoers at Muzzy’s — played by Paulina Bennett, Chris Phillips, Cassidy Spring, Alaina McCall, Maggie Johnson, Izabella Nelson, McKenzie Quinn, Rylee Barwell, Olivia Merrell, and Jillian Thorn.

Director Kelsey Gibson, Musical Director Jessica Pym, and Choreographer Missy Fincher are busy shaping “Thoroughly Modern Millie” into the joyous romp it will become. For tickets, visit tryonarts.org, to TLTinfo.org, or call 828-859-8322.

Submitted by Connie Clark