North Central College students perform musical comedy “Xanadu” Feb. 28-March 3

North Central College students will take audiences back to the disco era when they perform the electrifying Broadway hit “Xanadu” Feb. 28 through March 3.

Four performances of “Xanadu” will be presented at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 28, March 1 and 2 and at 2 p.m. March 3 in the College’s Pfeiffer Hall, 310 E. Benton Ave. Tickets are $15/adults and $10/students and senior citizens.

Based on the campy 1980s film starring Olivia Newton-John with music by the Electric Light Orchestra, “Xanadu” is a vibrant and energizing musical flashback complete with a Greek muse, Kira, who descends from the heavens of Mount Olympus to Venice Beach, Calif., in 1980.

Kira is on a quest to inspire a struggling artist, Sonny, to achieve the greatest artistic creation of all time—the first roller disco. When Kira falls into forbidden love with the mortal Sonny her jealous sisters step in and pandemonium arises. This show provides an exciting blend of both music and comedy. Two of the actors spend the majority of the show on roller skates.

This production is directed by students majoring in musical theatre, who are also involved in producing and publicizing. They are led as a class by Brian Lynch, fine arts director at North Central College.

“Having the opportunity to work on such a fun show with this incredibly talented cast and truly amazing team of directors is really a blessing,” says student director Bryan Renaud of Sugar Grove, a senior theatre major. “While it has proven to be quite challenging at times, it is a learning experience for everyone involved. ‘Xanadu’ is really a funny heartwarming show that can be enjoyed by all ages.”

The cast for “Xanadu” features (role, actor, town, year, major):

Kira: Taylor Caldrone of Mishawaka, Ind., a freshman majoring in musical theatre
Sonny Malone: Hunter Lindner of Greensboro, N. Car., a junior majoring in English
The Muse Sisters: Colleen DeRosa of Downers Grove, a freshman majoring in musical theatre as Calliope, and Chelsae Ward of Naperville, a sophomore majoring in musical theatre as Melpomene
Danny Maguire: Warren Dailey of Minooka, a junior majoring in economics, finance and theatre
Erato: Amanda Rose of Goshen, Ind., a junior majoring in theatre
Euterpe: Jesek West of Cerro Gordo, a sophomore majoring in musical theatre
Thalia: Michael Ermel of Northbrook, a freshman majoring in theatre
Terpsicor: Brian Warren of Glendale Heights, a junior majoring in theatre
Muse (U/S Kira): Cassandra Nelson of Lincoln, Nebr., a junior majoring in musical theatre
Muse (U/S Sonny): Aronzo Traylor II of Chicago, a sophomore majoring in musical theatre
 
Navistar is underwriting sponsor of North Central College’s 2012-2013 Fine and Performing Arts Season. The season is partially supported by USG Corporation and a grant from the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency, and National Endowment of the Arts.