The jazz will be hot and the drinks cold when Tabor Academy’s drama and music departments bring the Roaring 20s to the stage in “Thoroughly Modern Millie.”

Set in New York City, the musical tells the tale of Kansas-born Millie Dillmount who arrives in the city looking to marry into money.

Along the way she meets Dorothy, a friend who wants to escape her upper class background and to make it as a working class woman. Millie also meets playboy Jimmy Smith.

Bill Zhai, a senior from China, plays Smith, and he said Millie falls for his character. At first, Smith isn’t interested but after a night in jail he reconsiders his feelings for Millie.

For Zhai, who started acting as a sophomore, part of the fun in performing is playing against type.

“I’m definitely not like my character at all,” Zhai said. “On stage I can literally be anyone, which is kind of cool.”

Playing Millie is Aurelia Reynolds. A junior from Sandwich, Reynolds has been performing since she was 6 years old.

Reynolds said at the heart of her character is a coming of age story.

“She starts out as this country girl until she arrives in New York and has to make a go of it on her own,” Reynolds said.

Throughout the play, a lot of the characters are struggling with what it means to make it in the new, modern world.”

“Thoroughly Modern Millie” will be performed at Hoyt Hall at 235 Front St.

The show will begin at 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 18, 19 and 20.

Admission is free.