The disco ball is about to flash on Xanadu, the musical comedy that opened on Broadway in 2007 before going on to 500 performances.
With a book by Douglas Carter and music and lyrics by Jeff Lynne and John Farrar, it is based on the 1980 cult classic of the same name starring Olivia Newton-John.
As the disco ball appropriately drops, the musical is set in Venice Beach, California. The story’s heartbeat is Clio, a Greek muse from Mount Olympus who helps Sonny, a struggling artist, achieve the greatest creation of his life – a roller disco.
But when Clio, disguised as an American girl named Kira, breaks one of Olympus’ cardinal rules – never fall in love with a mortal – she risks the jealousy of her sisters and eternal banishment to the netherworld.
Directed by MacEwan’s new musical theatre arts program chair Jim Guedo, Xanadu also stars two St. Albert actors in secondary roles – Steven Angove and Robyn Kumish.
A spoof on jukebox musicals, Xanadu showcases a great score with numbers such as I’m Alive, Magic, Suddenly and Have You Never Been Mellow.
Xanadu runs October 21 to 29 at the John L. Haar Theatre, MacEwan Centre for the Arts and Communications, 10045 – 155 St.
Evening performances Tuesday through Saturday are at 7:30 p.m. and a Sunday matinee is at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $17 for adults, $12 for students/seniors. Call 780-420-1757 or purchase online at www.tixonthesquare.ca.
