Summer Arts Festival Set to Present ‘Thoroughly Modern Millie’

The West Hartford Summer Arts Festival celebrates its 35th anniversary in true “flapper fashion” this month when the young troupe performs “Thoroughly Modern Millie.” A cast of 40 performers, ages 15-25, hits the stage to bring to life the sights and sounds of upbeat 1920s New York City inside .

And while the Tony Award-winning musical will certainly challenge the adolescents, Artistic Director Sara Demos Avery is confident her pupils can pull it off. In fact, the Festival has had a tradition of rising to the occasion since its inception in 1976.

“SAF is the gold standard in young adult community theatre,” said Demos, who was a cast member herself during her time at . “I learned everything about being a teacher, a performer, and somebody who reaches for excellence, in this program.”

This year’s program centers around “Thoroughly Modern Millie,” a 2002 Broadway musical based on the 1967 film of the same name.

Emma Fierberg, a recent Hall graduate, is Millie Dillmount, an energetic young adult who leaves her home in Kansas for the hustle and bustle of New York City.

“I saw the musical when it was on Broadway in 2002 and I’ve loved the music ever since,” said Fierberg, who is in her fifth year with SAF after watching her siblings go through the program years earlier. “Millie is just a fun an energetic character who is easy to relate to.”

Fierberg is not the only cast member who has been with the Festival for a number of years. With an age range of ten years, the program sees many performers who have moved on to college still come back for more.

“There is something about this program that you really don’t see anywhere else,” said Amanda Snyder, a Conard graduate currently at Wagner College who portrays Mrs. Meers, a cunning hotel owner. “Everyone wants to make the best show they can possibly make.”

The Festival is the brainchild of Haig Shahverdian, who served as the Artistic Director for two decades and maintains involvement as the Executive Producer. According to Demos, it is Shahverdian’s trust in the performers and his commitment to excellence that built this tradition.

“There is nobody I know whose name instills more respect than Haig Shahverdian,” she said. “Haig has always assumed that his students can do anything. He is a consummate professional and a caring educator.”

For Shahverdian, it was not just his belief in the students that made the program a success, but also the students’ belief in the program.

“In those first years I had no idea or thoughts about the endurance of the Festival, but as time went by I came to realize the impact and the commitment of the students and staff,” he said. “That passionate belief in excellence and in the Arts has been the primary reasons for our success.”

“Thoroughly Modern Millie” runs from July 28-30 at 7:30 p.m. at Hall High School. Those interested in tickets can either email the Festival at westhartfordsaf@gmail.com or can purchase them at the Hall Box Office July 25-27 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.