Columbia Scholastic Press Association

Photo : ModernMillie.com

"Forget about the boy!" they sing in the Broadway smash hit Thoroughly Modern Millie, but after the pleasure of meeting the boy himself, you'll know that it's simply impossible.

Audiences are struck by the performance and presence of Christian Borle upon seeing Millie at the Marquis Theatre, and the charm, humor, and intelligence with which he delivers each word certainly transcends to his personality offstage. Entering his dressing room - which is lit only by a festive string of icicle lights draped across the mirror - a framed Return of the Jedi poster and the fantastic array of comic book and movie figures lining his dresser immediately catch your eye. Growing up in Pittsburgh, Christian actually wanted to become a comic book artist, and this boy who lived for Star Wars and loved to draw didn't develop an interest in acting until a friend convinced him to audition for the school play in sophomore year.

After continuing to act in high school, Christian stayed in Pittsburgh to benefit from the amazing theater program of Carnegie Mellon University, and then moved to New York in September of 1995. Before coming to Broadway, he felt genuinely privileged to be a part of the national tour of West Side Story, and said of the experience, "West Side Story was one of the most incredible things I've ever done. It's lasted for so long and it's so popular - they don't make 'em like that anymore." Christian's part in the Offenbach, Germany production of The Who's Tommy was also particularly memorable to him, and on Broadway, his first role was Willard in Footloose, after which he played a Disciple in Jesus Christ Superstar, and was an understudy as well as the dance captain for Amour.

Ironically enough, the chance encounter that brought Millie and Jimmy together was not unlike the stroke of luck that brought Christian to the lead male role in the six-time Tony-winner. He was basically in the right place at the right time: performing in a dance symposium as a favor for a friend while Michael Rafter, Millie's musical director, and Jeanine Tesori, composer of the show's new songs, were in the audience. It was also around this time that Gavin Creel, who originated the role of Jimmy, was thinking of leaving the production. "In this business you never know who you're going to meet," said Christian. "You never know who sees you do your thing, and what that will lead to."

He has actually been a replacement a few times prior to Thoroughly Modern Millie, and Christian stressed the fact that an actor needs a different sort of confidence when assuming such a role. "You're coming into a company that is used to one thing, and the people I have replaced have all been excellent - so you have to prove yourself a little more," he explained. "The nice thing about being a replacement is that you can take all the stuff that you like from the person who did it before..and then slowly introduce your own choices."

He has now been playing Jimmy since April of 2002, and with the script as fast and tricky as it is, it takes a special kind of actor with a special kind of charm to pull off the electricity and charisma that is characteristic of Millie's leading man. "What Jimmy brings to Millie's world is an honesty and a frankness, and a willingness to dive in and have fun," said Christian. "In that sense I think he encapsulates the New York energy. Things aren't necessarily polished and perfect. You kind of just go with it, go with the flow."

In addition to hoping he'll have the opportunity to be in a few good movies, Christian would also love to originate a part in a Broadway show, as he has always been either a replacement or part of the ensemble. He has also never lost touch with the fact that employment is ridiculously hard to come by in the theater business. "I think that we don't take stock enough and realize that our union - if you're lucky enough to be in the union - has a 95 percent unemployment rate at any given time, so we're lucky to be working; lucky to be working on Broadway, and lucky to be able to feed ourselves..to buy ourselves a sassy new coat when Christmastime comes around!"

Obviously, this boy is one who retains his humility while turning Millie's world upside-down eight times a week. Needless to say, fate will continue to smile upon such a thoughtful and talented actor for years to come. Truly - you just can't forget about the boy.

Audrey Dimola is a senior at Long Island City High School in Long Island City, N.Y. Dimola is one of 12 New York City high school students selected to participate in the Fall 2003 semester of CSPA's Stringers Program, co-sponsored with Camp Broadway.