20 Years Ago, Identical Racism Reaction in Boston Suburb
Anita, a Chinese immigrant senior, described the reaction of the Drama Club Students as: “Why are the Asians making a big fuss? It’s just a play.” We were going through the play point by point, and there were lines that specifically Cara was going over, and people were asking what’s wrong with that? She was […]
Millie Flap Makes it Abroad: in The Telegraph
US high school show triggers race row A production of Thoroughly Modern Mille at a suburban Boston high school runs into trouble over its antiquated portrayal of Asians By David Millward, US Correspondent for The Telegraph The link is here. When Julie Andrews starred in Thoroughly Modern Millie, which opened in 1967, it received huge critical acclaim. […]
The Boston Globe: Musical is little more than staged racism
WHAT IS most shocking about Joan Vennochi’s argument about the “Thoroughly Modern Millie” controversy in Newton is her attempt to substitute censorship for the issue that belongs at the center of this discussion: racism (“ ‘Millie’ fight creates a chilling effect,” Op-ed, March 20). It is not only “some Asian-Americans” who “were insulted” by characters in the […]
Rebuttal to ‘MILLIE in Newton: Turn Stereotypes into Lessons’
Someone sent me video of a local comedian’s youtube video of a character I’ve seen him portray once before. To call it infantile and racially insensitive would be a gross understatement. For the targets of his ridicule, it’s every bit as offensive as a mean-spirited performance in blackface. But because it’s against one of the […]
Boston Globe: ‘Millie’ flap highlights how old plays are rife with stereotypes
Small wonder, then, that Asian-American audiences would object to the crude ethnic cartoons in “Millie,’’ and that, more broadly, they would consider the choice between invisibility and insult to be unacceptable in this day and age. In the aftermath of the Newton North controversy, it’s worth remembering that high school productions are frequently the […]
Talk Back: Racism in Thoroughly Modern Millie at NNHS
Thoroughly Modern Millie was offensive to me. White privilege denies me the right to feel the pain I experienced. Whether you are white or a person of color, if you were not offended by the musical, you have no right to deny another’s pain. That’s my takeaway from the Talk Back. Last night I reluctantly attended […]
The Boston Globe Weighs in on Thoroughly Modern Millie
“When the movie starring Julie Andrews premiered in 1967, it was proclaimed “thoroughly delightful” by The New York Times and praised for its flapper costumes, dancing, humor, and singing. Forty-seven years later, a stage version of “Thoroughly Modern Millie” performed at Newton North High School is triggering a backlash from some Asian-Americans who say the […]
MTI Advises How to Squelch Dissent for Thoroughly Modern Millie
I’m getting concerns from parents…..ugh. What exactly are their concerns or comments? Oh, there are Chinese members of the potential cast. AND in that the white slavery was sex related seems to be a lot of over sensitivity to a topic that is such a minor plot point. However, I squelched it by citing other […]
My Take on Thoroughly Modern Millie
I just returned from Thoroughly Modern Millie and I want to start by saying that the cast is incredibly talented and deserves much accolades for a well done show. The leads, particularly Maddy Waters as Millie Dillmont, Aiden O’Neal as Miss Dorothy Brown, Peter Diamond as Jimmy Smith, Kelsey Fox as Mrs. Meers and Will […]
NNHS Responds to Concerns About Thoroughly Modern Millie
This letter was released today in response to the issues related to “Thoroughly Modern Millie,” as outlined on this blog and elsewhere. Village 14 Department of Fine & Performing Arts Newton North High School March 13, 2014 This letter is in response to some recent concerns surrounding Newton North’s production of Thoroughly Modern Millie. It is important […]
