ENGLEWOOD -- For Ashley Dignam -- a thoroughly modern girl -- transforming herself into a 1920s' era flapper isn't a piece of cake.

"It's a little hard work," Dignam said recently, "but it's fun."

Dignam and her fellow actors from Lemon Bay High School and Lakewood Ranch High School will turn back the clock to an earlier time next week when "Thoroughly Modern Millie" is presented at Lemon Bay Theatre.

The show, directed by Theater Arts teacher Jennifer Kelly and performed by the casts from both schools, begins on Friday, Nov. 10, and runs for two weekends.

The1920s-era musical was the 2002 Broadway season's most awarded new show, and took home the Tony as best musical. It features 15 songs, including two from the 1967 Oscar award-winning film, four from the 1920s era, and nine new songs.

The show takes place in New York City in 1922, and the lead character, Millie Dillmount, has just moved to the big city to begin a new life.

Dignam said the show has it all: singing, dancing and fine acting roles.

Millie is joined on her journey by Trevor Graydon, played by junior Sean Keathley, and her eventual love interest, Jimmy Smith, played by senior Taylor Proffitt.

The cast of 60 performers has been practicing for months now, and was still hard at it Wednesday. Their practice schedule includes "marathons" of 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturdays and "after church" until 11 p.m. on Sunday.

Other than pleasing the big crowds that always show up for a Lemon Bay production, the troupe -- which has won multiple statewide awards in recent years and is gathering a growing reputation as one of the state's top theater groups -- will have plenty on the line.

That is because during one of the performances, state judges will show up to critique the work for a district winner that will be invited to the state-level competition.

The two area schools decided to compete together, because the two groups had become comrades during other competitions, said Jerry Taylor, a dancer.

At first, the content wasn't appealing to one performer.

"When I first saw (the script), I didn't think I'd like it," said Crystal Hill. "I've grown to like it. It's going to be really good."

Both Taylor and Hill agreed "Thoroughly Modern Millie" has a good chance of being a success.

"It's definitely going to be a good competition piece for states," Taylor said. "The singers are really strong. The dancers have been dancing most of their lives. It's a strong piece."

Performances are scheduled for two weekends: Friday, Nov. 10, and Saturday, Nov. 11, at 8 p.m.; and Sunday, Nov. 12, at 3 p.m. Performances continue on Friday, Nov. 17, Saturday, Nov. 18, and Sunday, Nov. 19, at the same times.

For tickets, stop by the Lemon Bay Performing Arts Center Box Office at 2201 Placida Road or call 941-473-0952 between 10 a.m. and noon and 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. Monday-Friday. Adult tickets are $15; students are $10 each.

The box office will also be open two hours before curtain on show days.

In addition, Lemon Bay is seeking financial support for its self-supporting theater program. Numerous options are available for individual, small business and large corporation sponsorship.

Contact Jennifer Kelly at 941-474-7702, ext. 3144, to request a sponsorship packet.

{mos_sb_discuss:13} Life in Paradise or not

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