- Broadway
The musical, directed by Michael Mayer, underwent several workshops in New York in 1999. Included in the workshops casts were Kristin Chenoweth, Marc Kudisch, and Beatrice Arthur.[13]
It then played out-of-town tryouts at the La Jolla Playhouse at University of California, San Diego in October 2000 through December 2000.[5] Despite nurturing the role through the workshop process, Kristin Chenoweth did not continue with the role of Millie in order to film her own sitcom. She was replaced by Erin Dilly, but prior to public previews, Sutton Foster, her understudy, was chosen to assume the title role, a move that propelled her to stardom.[5]
At the Marquis Theatre, 2003After a long production history, the musical premiered on Broadway at the Marquis Theatre on April 18, 2002 and closed on June 20, 2004 after 903 performances and 32 previews. Directed by Michael Mayer and choreographed by Rob Ashford, orchestration was by Doug Besterman and the late Ralph Burns, scenic design was by David Gallo, costume design was by Martin Pakledinaz, and lighting design was by Donald Holder. The original cast included Sutton Foster as Millie, Marc Kudisch as Trevor, Angela Christian as Miss Dorothy, Gavin Creel as Jimmy, Harriet Sansom Harris as Mrs. Meers, Sheryl Lee Ralph as Muzzy Van Hossmere, Ken Leung as Ching Ho, Francis Jue as Bun Foo, and Anne L. Nathan as Miss Flannery.
Replacements later in the run included Susan Egan as Millie, Leslie Uggams as Muzzy, Delta Burke and Dixie Carter as Mrs. Meers, Christian Borle as Jimmy, Christopher Sieber as Trevor Graydon, and Liz McCartney as Miss Flannery. Cheyenne Jackson also joined the cast as ensemble and an understudy for the two male leads. At the April 2, 2003 performance, Meredith Vieira appeared in three minor roles for a segment later broadcast on her daytime talk show The View.
The original Broadway production won six Tony Awards and five Drama Desk Awards, including the win for Best Musical at both award ceremonies.
- London
In 2003, the original creative team reunited to stage the show in London's West End at the Shaftesbury Theatre. It began previews on October 11 and opened on October 21. UK TV personality Amanda Holden starred in the title role, with Maureen Lipman and Marti Webb alternating as Mrs. Meers and Sheila Ferguson as Muzzy Van Hossmere. When Webb subsequently left the production to join Tell Me on a Sunday, Mrs. Meers was played by Anita Dobson, and when Holden was forced to take time off due to illness, her understudy Donna Steele took over the role to great acclaim. Despite positive reviews and booking periods extended to January 2005, Thoroughly Modern Millie failed to catch the UK public's attention and closed on June 26, 2004.[14][15]
- UK tour
A UK tour beginning in March 2005 fared much better and successfully toured many of the country's major theatres until November, when it closed as planned in Nottingham. The tour starred Steele as Millie, Lesley Joseph as Mrs. Meers, and Grace Kennedy as Muzzy Van Hossmere.
- School edition
The school edition of Thoroughly Modern Millie was premiered at the International Thespian Festival on June 26, 2007. It was presented by the International Thespian Cast. The production starred Elizabeth Elliott as Millie, David King as Jimmy, and Rachel Buethe as Mrs. Meers. The creators of the show also appeared at the festival to help introduce the show.
- 2017 / 2018 UK Tour
A new UK tour began in January 2016 with direction and choreography by Racky Plews. The tour starred Joanne Clifton as Millie, Michelle Collins as Mrs. Meers (until March 2016) when the role was taken over by Lucas Rush. The tour closed in June 2016.
A 2018 UK tour starring Hayley Tamaddon and directed/choreographed by Racky Plews will start in March 2018 at Richmond Theatre. It will play Eastbourne, Sunderland, Oxford, Torquay, Poole, Stoke, Bradford, Darlington, Southend and Wolverhampton. More dates and further casting TBA.[16]
- International productions
A German edition named "Höllisch Moderne Millie" (Infernal Modern Millie) premiered on October 26, 2018 at Hof Theatre.[17]
A Japanese production of Thoroughly Modern Millie premiered at The Imperial Theatre and went on tour in September 2022, It will also be performed again at The Imperial Theatre and go on tour once more in July 2024. They both feature Manato Asaka as Millie Dillmount.
