After the success of last year’s first ever student musical theatre production of Little Shop of Horrors, The Ohio State University at Marion will once again tap into their on campus talent to present the Broadway musical comedy hit Xanadu, Thursday, November 1, & Friday, November 2 at 7:30 p.m., in Morrill Hall Auditorium on the Marion campus.
The Universal Pictures 1980 cult classic movie Xanadu, starring Gene Kelly and Olivia Newton-John, was transformed into a Broadway show in 2007 and ran for more than a year. The Greek muses incarnate themselves on earth to inspire men to achieve. One of them, in the form of a beautiful girl named Kira, encounters a down-on-his-luck artist named Sonny Malone. When she helps him meet up with the rich Danny McGuire, a man Kira had inspired forty years earlier, the two join together to create an artistic and business success, a unique club called “Xanadu.”
According to director Scott Persinger, anyone who saw Little Shop of Horrors last year will love Xanadu.
“This is a fun, high energy show with great music,” said Persinger. “A lot of people don’t necessarily recognize the musical, but anyone who grew up or loved music from the 80s will recognize many of the songs from this show.”
“The way the show satires fashion and music of the 80s is part of its charm,” he explained. “The biggest thing is the comedy. It is totally tongue in cheek and poking good clean fun at an era we all remember. Well at least those of us over 30.”
Xanadu features the music of Electric Light Orchestra and Olivia Newton John. Classic hits such as “Magic,” “Suddenly,” “Evil Woman,” “Strange Magic,” “Have You Ever Been Mellow,” drive the show.
The cast of characters is led by first year student Emily Levings of Cardington, Ohio, who plays the part of Kira (Clio), her male love interest is the mortal Sonny Malone, played by Austin King. The cast is rounded out by Joshua Sands as Danny Maguire, Elizabeth Moore as Melpomene, Stephanie Konczal as Calliope, Alex Schlect as Zeus, and carrying much of the dance and comedic load are a group called the Muses, including Matt Meade (dance captain, Young Danny) Mike Cochran, Jaron Knotts, Courtney Hamilton, and Ginnie Wendell.
The book is by Douglas Carter Beane, music & lyrics by Jeff Lynne and John Farrar, based on the Universal Picture film, screenplay by Richard Danus & Marc Rubel. The show was originally produced on Broadway by Robert Ahrens, Dan Vickery, Tara Smith/B. Swibel, Sara Murchison/Dale Smith & Cari Smulyan.
Xanadu is directed by Scott Persinger; music director Diane Ehrman; choreographer Kristi Wink; costume design, Kathy Blakeslee, set designer Dori Traynham; stage manager/set builder Ben Moore; and lights and sound by Tom Danner. Xanadu is produced by Ohio State Marion manager of communications Wayne Rowe.
Tickets are general seating. Doors for the show open at 7 p.m. the evening of each performance. Advance tickets are now on sale. Five Nights season ticket holders may utilize their season tickets for Thursday’s performance only. Tickets will be sold at the door the evening of the event, while they last. Admission is $15 general admission, $10 seniors (60 and up), $10 all students.
Tickets are available at The Ohio State University Office of Community Relations and Development, Maynard Hall, Room 240. For ticket and show information contact 740-725-6253 or email [email protected] or 740-725-6340 or email [email protected] for more information.
Xanadu is part of the Five Nights on Campus performing arts series at The Ohio State University at Marion. Xanadu is sponsored in part by The Ohio State University Office of Student Life. Special thanks to Zoomers Skate Club for providing the skates for our production.
About Marion Online News
