Smith Auditorium of Zion United Church of Christ, Lehighton, is once again buzzing with excitement with the sounds of construction, tap dancing, laughter and, of course, music.

"Thoroughly Modern Millie" is this year's annual musical making its debut performance on Smith Auditorium's stage. It is a hilariously funny show with very catchy songs that people will certainly be humming as they leave the theater.Set in New York City in 1922, "Thoroughly Modern Millie" tells the story of young Millie Dillmount from Kansas who comes to New York in search of a new life for herself.Dilmount is played by Zion Opera Workshop veteran, Laura Cressley who has appeared in supporting roles but is appearing in her first lead role.Millie's grand plan is to find a job as a secretary for a wealthy man and then marry him. However, her plan goes awry.The owner of her dingy hotel, Mrs. Meers (played by Tina Becker, who has appeared in several other ZOW shows) kidnaps young girls to sell to the Far East.Mrs. Meers is assisted by her two "laundry assistants" Ching Ho and Bun Foo, who are played by ZOW vets Thomas Phelan and Brandon Cressley.Her wealthy boss who is played by longtime ZOW member, Noah Smith, is slow in proposing marriage; and the man she actually falls in love with, Jimmy Smith, doesn't have a dime to his name - or so he tells her.Smith is played by Adam Reichard, who has also been featured in many past ZOW performances, but also appears in his first lead role this year.While at the hotel, Millie encounters the person who will become her very best friend, Miss Dorothy, played by Jessica Schaffer, a lead actress in many ZOW shows who also serves at the stage director for Zion Opera Workshop. Along with Miss Dorothy, Mille befriends the other residents of the "Hotel Priscilla" including Alice, played by ZOW vet Becky Herd; Gloria, played by longtime performer Casi Short; Ruth, played by Meghan Laverne in her first role with ZOW; Ethel, Rita and Cora, played by Kennedy Malsch, Megan Pomposello and Candace Malkowicz, who have all appeared in past shows; as well as Lucille, who is played by Mikayla Blakeslee, who has had many appearances with the group.Some of the action in the play takes place in a nightclub where singer and performer Muzzy VanHossmere becomes somewhat of a mentor for Millie. Sultry singer Muzzy is played by Zion Opera Workshop veteran Tara Crowe.After taking quite a hiatus from ZOW's stage to raise a family, Karen Serfass returns to ZOW's stage as Millie's secretarial supervisor, Miss Flannery. The group is also happy to welcome back Eric Werley as Rodney, and other roles in this play after a brief hiatus. Featured as a policeman and other roles is Dave Krum, who boasts the most appearances as an actor on ZOW's stage.Martha Cox, who has appeared with ZOW for countless years, appears as "Momma" and other roles.Jim Blakeslee, who has appeared with the group for several decades will appear in multiple roles including a mugger.Other ZOW returnees include Eliza Asmann, as Dorothy Parker; Parker Fairchild, as George Gershwin; Kristen Campbell, as Daphne; Brian Kesek, as Dexter; and Bethany Evans, as Mathilde.Returnees playing "Male and Female Moderns" and other roles include Ben Glueck, who doubles as backdrop designer/artist; Miguel Gonzalez; and Autumn Williams.The ZOW is thrilled to welcome to its stage for the first time Michael Boniorno, Hailie Brosky, Rhiannon Malarkey, Emily Shelly and Alex Keck, featured as Male and Female "Moderns," Stenogs and other roles.New for this year, the property committee of Zion UCC has obtained and is presently installing new, more comfortable, auditorium seating for Smith Auditorium to make the ZOW experience more enjoyable.Smith Auditorium is also now handicapped accessible with an elevator to take visitors to the second floor theater.The show is under the direction of Bradly R. Cressley, director of music at Zion UCC, with stage direction by Jessica Schafer. The choreographer for the shows is Deb Strausberger, from TNT Dance studio. Technical directors for the show are the husband and wife team of Pati and Duane Reichard. The assistant musical director is Paul R. Smith, who founded the group along with his wife, Linn, back in 1970.Show dates are March 3-5 at 7:30 p.m. There will also be a matinee performance onMarch 5, at 2 p.m. Advanced tickets are recommended for all performances as it is anticipated they will sell out.Tickets can be obtained from any cast member, at Carbon County Music and More, 115 S. 2nd St., Lehighton, or by calling box office manager, Sue Yeastedt at 484-629-3116.