SUTTON FOSTER in MILLIE Pre-B'way La Jolla 2000

In honor of the 20th anniversary of the Broadway opening of "Thoroughly Modern Millie" (4/18/02), clips from the world premiere/tryout production of "Millie," La Jolla Playhouse, CA., 2000. Sutton Foster in original opening number; in "Stumbling," a song cut before Broadway, with Sarah Uriarte Berry as Miss Dorothy; in "You Can Count on Me," also cut prior to New York, with Jim Stanek as Jimmy; in "Gimme Gimme" and curtain call.

[@ifinditamazing]

This Gimme, Gimme is absolutely electric. And now we know she's been growling that "Juliet" since La Jolla!

[@Moonlight-tr7jv]

This is amazing, never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined of ever seeing this content

[@DDTC73]

it really is a star making performance. That opening routine was so great in setting up the style and tone of the show. This gives you a rush like no amount of Easter eggs could give you this bank holiday weekend! Thank you for sharing!!

[@Ebokm9]

no literally

[@jennipherlewis3221]

I saw the show in San Diego when it was in previews. Right before Gimme, Gimme the director stopped the show and spoke to the audience. He said that this was a new song they were adding, it didn't have full orchestrations yet and they wanted to see how it worked. It was amazing. Went back to see the show weeks later, other numbers had been cut and Gimme, Gimme was fully produced.

[@alexjemphrey]

That’s awesome!

[@jlasf]

That's what previews and out of town tryouts are for. There are no shortage of stories about shows that flopped on first opening, but evolved into hits.

[@Moonlight-tr7jv]

THE LITTLE ROUTINE IN GIMME GIMME OH MY GOD THIS IS WONDERFUL

[@Curtainsup200]

Yes! I wonder if it was the inspiration for the poster?

[@keeter5]

@@Curtainsup200 I was just gonna say that is where they got the image for the logo

[@Curtainsup200]

@@keeter5 amazing! One of my favorite logos ❤❤

[@maninchair6648]

I wonder why they cut it? It really works.

[@Moonlight-tr7jv]

@@maninchair6648 The final version is more suitable I think, with the sustained note instead of it just cutting there

[@wickedfan811]

Welcome back, Aurora! We've missed you! P.S. Sutton is glorious - she has this "very traditional" star power and charisma. And don't get me started on her voice! And honestly, during it's try-out, "Millie" was a bit more charming that during it's Broadway run, in my opinion.

[@JamesBrown-ij1px]

I agree.

[@bob5188]

Sutton knew how to command a stage even 22 years ago!!

[@janicegreenberg6680]

Aurora, thank you very much for sharing this. It is a great glimpse into Sutton Foster in her star-making role. Her stage presence especially in “Gimme Gimme” is phenomenal. I also liked the little dance routine in the middle of the number.

[@lolowants]

I remember watching it at La Jolla Playhouse and thinking that Millie girl was gonna be a STAR!

[@robrivax]

Wow, just Wow....thank you for posting. Sutton had a TONY AWARD winning performance PRE-BROADWAY. This was her breakout show and performance. Glad to see it here on KZbin.. Thanks again.

[@liamjoshuamunn]

That D in the opening number. COME ON SUTTON. Also, I love some of these old lyrics. Makes me wanna root for her more.

[@ian.mcqueen]

the AUDIBLE gasp I let out at 11:42

[@Donde_Lieta]

I always thought “The Boyfriend” never got the love it deserved but honestly if things didn’t happen the way they did, I don’t think we would have gotten this masterpiece- I mean they really only created the Millie film for Julie Andrew’s because Hollywood higher ups believe she had became “too old” to star in film adaptation of “The Boyfriend”, but if that hadn’t happened I don’t think we would have discovered all that Sutton had to offer! 💜 everything happens for a reason. Much love, everyone.

[@tomgallowitz]

Not only that but for Kristin Chenoweth and her replacement to drop out so Sutton the understudy could become a star

[@BertCCRI]

A perfect example of what Seth Rudetsky is referring to when he says to a performer, "You've still got it!"

[@jacobrivera-sanchez5121]

To see how the opening changed SO DRASTICALLY to what it ended up being when it transferred. I love in development stages of theatre.

[@benjaminlopezisgreat]

I agree. I saw it twice in La Jolla and then on Broadway and I was disappointed. This is a gem

[@markbraunstein58]

Didn't they do costume change with a storefront on Broadway? I don't remember her in her knickers on the street

[@jghays]

@@markbraunstein58she never took her clothes off. She just ran off and did the quick change.

[@jlasf]

@@jghays Taking her clothes off made me cringe. "Danced in my scanties" may be fine for a Sondheim lyric, but it looks awkward on stage. They should have kept to the revolving door which was the device used in the movie opening: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fYDNmJ98fJeLd8U

[@RichieRich1234RICH]

Well given half her hair is missing for half the number who ever changed it. I applaud you.

[@bryantkeller9278]

This beautiful, healthy, clear vibrato. ❤

[@faffolite]

Opening very character full. Like how Millie has a more homely style and development but love slickness of broadway

[@maninchair6648]

What a find! Praise youtube for these lost Broadway treasures. 02:55 I love this little routine , Sutton's already so damn funny and charming.

[@olivia.g2009]

The laugh at 2:57 caught me WAY off guard lmaoo. I was drawing & listening at the same time and for some reason I like jumped out of my chair LOL. (Keep in mind i had headphones on)

[@azvascos7542]

You always have wonderful clips, thank you! We finally got to see Sutton live in January as Marian the Librarian. It was truly a wonderful experience to finally see her perform live. She always is amazing!

[@dylansmith1833]

OH THANK GOD YOU ARE BACK AURORA! We’ve missed you dearly! ♥️♥️♥️♥️

[@stephennachamie2520]

saw this in person - She was wonderful!

[@Lukerdog]

...and SHE's BACK !!! Such a pleasure, QQing you again, Aurora S. i hope your sojourn was joyous and restorative. Deep peace be with you, from a grateful Lukerdog

[@Itstonytime77]

Saw her in this on Broadway and it was about as perfect a musical as you can get! Was always a huge fan of the movie so I was so ready for this. I loved the subtitles for the Chinese characters that was brilliant!

[@MikeA15206]

Rob Ashford really did improve the choreography on it's move to broadway.

[@bigred8432]

It’s more fun here

[@michaelbyrne455]

Pat Carroll! I want to see more of her!

[@micnmat]

I love the energy and chaos of this original opening number. Im glad they changed it but the original showed off so much of what Sutton can do, so cool

[@bigred8432]

It’s much more entertaining here. They ironed out all of the quirks and eccentricity in the show for Broadway, which is disappointing considering how nuts the movie is

[@luenriqu]

I like more this opening than the original, this song, stumbling, gives me chills!! This song would be perfect for auditioning

[@liamjoshuamunn]

That D in the opening number. COME ON SUTTON. Also, I love some of these old lyrics. Makes me wanna root for her more.

[@caseydean4620]

I love the end of the opening where she is revealed singing her name

[@thesinkingplane7466]

Would you by any chance have the full preview show recording you could share?

[@johnkroll2151]

Wasn't Sutton Foster a replacement for the original Millie?

[@SethChristenfeld]

yes, she replaced Erin Dilly during rehearsals.

[@sgtdroxie]

I really like a lot of the choices they made here.

[@glennc.graber8146]

I was lucky enough to see her at LaJolla! This brings back pleasant memories!

[@aarontakesbroadway]

wait a minute…IS THAT PAT CAROLL?? was she playing Mrs Meers here? What a find! 🤩

[@bleiberestestay117]

Yes, the great Pat Carroll was Mrs. Meers at La Jolla.

[@wallyrubin5173]

Does anyone know why Pat Carroll didn’t come to Bway with the show?

[@aarontakesbroadway]

@@wallyrubin5173 Yeah i was wondering that myself…although Harriet Harris was fantastic!

[@timothysmith7888]

18 second Quick Change of: wig, hat, dress, stockings, shoes !!!

[@jasonhays8644]

The cut lyric from Gimme Gimme: Honeymoon and wedding bell, a Love affair like Scott and Zelda SO GOOD!!!

[@broadwaymac486]

Been looking for footage of this! Would love to see some Pat Carroll clips.

[@benjaminlopezisgreat]

The charm this show had in La Jolla…. And Sutton and Sarah

[@rbjnla]

This is great to see, quite a few changes. Saw it on Broadway with my parents - wonderful. It was a magical start to my first visit to New York

[@mapdrm2]

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU Aurora and to the person who recorded this!

[@themusicalspeakeasy2439]

welcome back !!!!

[@Helvetica247]

So much energy and fire in this production!

[@sgtdroxie]

Wonderful! Love Pat Caroll.

[@imtired1696]

It's like Millie from an alternate universe. 😂

[@russlong5114]

A little side note: Sarah Uriarte Berry spent a couple of years (or was it summers?) as a cast member of several productions of the Good Company Players at Roger Rock's Theater in Fresno, CA. (Which, btw, the phenomenal Audra McDonald is also an alumni!)

[@sushi_donut]

I'm sure you've all already seen Bunheads, but if you haven't, Sutton is great in it. I hope she decides to do more Film/TV in the future.

[@alixaugustine9599]

I mean, she did Younger for like 7 years…

[@jakethewoz]

Being from Kansas and having always dreamt of moving to Manhattan, I feel personally attacked by that opening curtain.

[@RustySax1949]

Not only was it really interesting seeing this early production of Millie, but I didn't realize that Sarah Uriarte Berry was in this show. As a teenager she was involved with the Good Company Players at Roger Rocka's Music Hall in Fresno, CA, before going on to UCLA.

[@alexs.3383]

in love with this

[@crispypoohs]

So happy to see you're back! I've missed your channel.

[@98aleco]

What an amazing Friday gift! Thank you!

[@Moonlight-tr7jv]

Crying.

[@rylanddespain4656]

Is that Pat Caroll standing next to Sutton Foster during the curtain call?

[@angelodimichino3620]

WOW! What a rendition of ‘Gethsemane’ truly one of THE most remarkable musical performances ever

[@auroraspiderwoman5886]

You might want to move this comment elsewhere. Thanks.

[@christopherbush9027]

You come home at last!!! Welcome back Spiderwoman!

[@maraevans3194]

Welcome back! Thank you so much for sharing this, such a treat!

[@brianeduardo1234]

Choreography was a bit messy and fussy agree she is v good

[@faffolite]

Love the opening

[@tomgallowitz]

Sutton’s pre transformation costume is too Eliza Doolittle for me

[@AbiS1018]

I’M…OBSESSED

[@bananabasket]

is that Michael riedel

[@oneandonlyprecarious]

Totally Urban Molly

[@balletartsNYC]

WOW! Fascinating!

[@billyflynn2]

Oh my days what a find! Stunning but so pleased it was changed.

[@dianaaljadeff2983]

This is a perfect role for Sutton Foster not Marian Paroo

[@Thatgayguytimo]

Broadway was better but Jesus did her physical comedy really shine in this original 😍