NOT FOR THE LIFE OF ME!!! Also on this day, another smash hit opened on Broadway 15 years ago… that musical was Jeanine Tesori and Dick Scanlan’s musical adaptation of the classic 1967 film Thoroughly Modern Millie. It opened at Broadway’s Marquis Theatre where it ran for an incredible 935 performances. The show also went on to win 6 Tony Awards in 2002 including Best Musical.
What made the musical so popular was because of it being the breakout performance of Sutton Foster. For the show’s initial pre-Broadway tryout at La Jolla Playhouse, Foster was originally cast in the Ensemble and served as understudy for “Millie”. The main actress who originally was playing her was Broadway favorite Erin Dilly. However prior before the first public preview performance, Dilly got ill and Foster was plucked from the chorus to the starring role. Critics praised over Foster’s performance and she won her first Tony for this show.
Check out this video of Foster performing the classic GIMMIE GIMMIE on the The Rosie O’Donnell Show in 2002.
In celebration, let’s turn back the clock and (re)watch her perform the iconic song Gimme Gimme!
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