The romantic leads in Diamond Head Theatre's season-opener, "Thoroughly Modern Millie," were attracted to the Tony Award-winning musical for different reasons.

Shawna Masuda, 19, who portrays Millie Dillmount, loves the comedy aspects. "This is a fun show, with a lot of songs, and it's a stretch for me — because it's comedy, with a big tap number. I've never done that before."

Her previous credits include the Hawai'i community theater launch for such big musicals as "Miss Saigon," in which she was Kim; "Beauty and the Beast," in which she sang Belle; and "Cats," in which she was Jemima.

Pedro Haro, 26, who plays Millie's suitor Jimmy Smith, is having fun. "I originally wanted to be in the show because of (director) David Spangenthal, and I wanted to work with him again (he directed 'Beauty' in its DHT debut). But he had to drop out and his good friend from New York, Darren Lee (who is also choreographing), came to do the show instead, and it all worked out. I was a little scared, however, wondering if I could bring myself up to Shawna's level. She's great.

"Acting is my forte; I don't do many musicals," said Haro, who earlier was Seymour in "Little Shop of Horrors" at the University of Hawai'i, where he is working on his master's degree in public health.

"I've not had much training (in musical theater), but what I like about Jimmy is that the part is really an homage to the old greats, like Fred Astaire, Cary Grant and Frank Sinatra. It's an old-time leading man in a modern show, which has the flair of today but is a throwback to the speakeasy."

If he has apprehensions, so does she.

Masuda, primarily a singer, was somewhat daunted by the dancing challenge. "Millie," based on a 1967 Julie Andrews film, earned 2002 Tony laurels for choreography, direction, orchestration, book and music; its principal cast (including Sutton Foster, who was best actress in a musical) lapped up Tonys galore and the show was best musical, too.

"I'm taking tap classes and I must say it's going pretty well," Masuda said of her first choreographic endeavor. "I did a little dancing in 'Cats' but this one is more focused, it's scary. And I'm attending cosmetology classes at HCC (Honolulu Community College), so I get to use some of the skills I'm learning. There are lots of things you can do in cosmetology; when I get my degree, I can support myself while I try to sustain my career. But I just started, so I have three more semesters to go."

Masuda is adjusting to her full-time student's regimen. "It's been classes from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. every day, rehearsals every night," she said.

She previously worked with Haro in "Beauty" and she cherishes the renewed friendships.

And she can identify with the Millie character, "who's very goal-oriented, knows what she wants, moves away and is determined to get what she wants." The character, a small-town girl who heads for the big city, is "a little naive in the way she thinks. She says at one point how things are certainly different from things back home, and I know the feeling," said Masuda, who made a first-time trek to New York to audition for "Rent" in April.

Haro said his theatrical experiences should help him in his career outside the stage. "Acting builds confidence; I was painfully shy," he said. "But I've always wanted to do theater. I imagine my classmates and teachers at Lahainaluna High School seeing or reading about me doing shows now would never imagine me doing theater today.

"One thing I've learned: You do theater for love; you put your heart in the production. A community theater show is no different than professional theater: You can't measure the talent, you can't create the talent. You can only harness it, and I thank a lot of people, like Emmett Yoshioka (musical conductor), who helps pull out a professional performance. The key difference is we don't get paid."

Haro, who was born in Texas, moved to Maui as a youth. He started acting less than three years ago. "You can start late — and still end up being proud of your work. I'm even doing 'Hawai'i Stars' this season, so a lot of exciting things are going on in my life."

Masuda is trying to make her moments matter. "I still get a little nervous because people have expectations," she said of her roles. "But I'm thrilled to be in the company of people like Cathy Foy (who plays Mrs. Meers), and I'm excited trying to do a role that requires (as much) acting as singing. It's a risk for me."

Masuda also cut her hair to suit the flapper nature of the Millie role. "It was a sacrifice, but it's been worth it. No wigs; the hair's all mine."

Reach Wayne Harada at wharada@honoluluadvertiser.com.