After a stressful week of studying for severe mid-terms, you might find yourself looking for a new source of entertainment to put your mind at ease.

You've already seen the latest movies and it's too cold to play Frisbee on the orange and yellow leaves blanketing the grass.

But this isn't an excuse to lounge around and do nothing. In fact, consider yourself lucky: This is the perfect opportunity to see Broadway in your own backyard.

"Thoroughly Modern Millie," the winner of six 2002 Tony Awards, including "Best New Musical," danced into the Wharton Center's Great Hall Tuesday night and is here to stay for a few more days.

The musical, based on the 1967 Oscar-winning film, "Millie," is the story of a young girl from Kansas who moves to New York in 1922, hoping to find a new life for herself amidst the possibilities of the roaring 1920s.

During the first scene, the audience is greeted by an enthusiastically singing Millie Dillmount, portrayed by professional actress Darcie Roberts, dressed in an unfashionable yellow frock accented with a white cuff and collar.

Minutes later, the bubbly excitement of arriving in Manhattan pops when her purse is stolen.

While crying for help, Millie purposefully trips a New Yorker man because he, among others, wasn't paying attention to her. Upset after being tripped by Millie, Jimmy Smith, played by Matt Cavenaugh, takes pity on her and gives her the address of a hotel for young ladies. But he quickly advises her to go back to Kansas, saying she is not fit for Manhattan. In an attempt to prove Jimmy wrong, Millie tap dances her way off stage to find the hotel.

Through song and dance, the audience is able to relive the height of the jazz era as the 13-member cast energetically sings and dances the night away on the vibrantly colored set. The costumes are radiant and the acting even better as they humor the audience with Millie's difficult settling in the big city.

Today, many young people can identify with some of the inner struggles Millie deals with as she seeks true love and a career.

"Every student can relate to the feeling that they want to strike out on their own," said recent MSU alumna Stephanie Smith. "You want to be spectacular and different and break out of the mold."

Smith, who attended the show with her cousin, psychology freshman Heather Smith, said she is proud her cousin is trying new things.

"I look at her and think how excited I was to start college," the 22-year-old said. "Being able to do something new and start fresh strikes a chord."

Paul Schaefer, an ensemble member of "Millie," said the stage version of the show features songs from the original film with new orchestrations and arrangements.

"The songs are so beautiful and rich," Schaefer said. "It's a classic (musical), but the added current themes gives it a modern feel."

Erin Ruff, a senior at Okemos High School, said she enjoys watching movies - but nothing compares to a live, up-to-date musical.

"You feel the energy instead of sitting in a theater watching a movie," she said. "You can actually give actors their gratification by applauding at the end."

Ruff, who has been to New York for Broadway musicals, said seeing Broadway on tour allows the audience to be more relaxed and comfortable.

"In New York, people normally dress really fancy," she said. "Here, we can wear blue jeans and still enjoy a good show."

She added that "Millie" is a great option for people who don't have an interest in theater because it brings together different factors that can appeal to anyone.

"Millie" will be showing today at 7:30 p.m. and will run until Sunday. For a list of ticket prices and showing times visit www.whartoncenter.com.