The Red Barn Summer Theatre in Frankfort will present the musical comedy “Xanadu,” based on the cult classic movie of the same name, beginning tonight, July 10 for two weekends, sponsored by Encompass Credit Union.
Beginning tonight, “Xanadu” will hit the stage at 7:30 p.m. with shows continuing on July 11 and July 12 at 7:30 p.m. with a Sunday matinee on July 13 at 2 p.m. Shows will continue on July 16, July 17, July 18 and July 19 at 7:30 p.m. with two matinees set for Saturday, July 19 and Sunday, July 20 at 2 p.m. to round out the season. Tickets for “Xanadu” may be purchased at redbarntheatre.net or by contacting the Box Office at 765-659-1657.
“Xanadu” is a musical comedy that features memorable songs by Jeff Lynne of Electric Light Orchestra, such as “Evil Woman” and “All Over the World,” as well as timeless ballads by Olivia Newton John’s producer and songwriter John Farrar, such as “Suddenly” and “Have You Never Been Mellow.”
A hilarious and nostalgic look back at the eighties, “Xanadu” is the story of a Greek muse named Kira, played by Cassidy May Benullo, who leaves Mount Olympus to inspire a struggling sidewalk artist named Sonny Malone, played by Ben Brickner, to create the world’s first roller disco. Through humorous plot points, mischievous sabotage and romantic happenstances, Sonny and Kira must overcome all odds for a chance at love.
As Kira, in her Australian persona, begins to develop forbidden love for Sonny, a mortal, through natural means or possibly by nefarious actions, her sisters and fellow muses must come together to help bring her dream of inspiring a mortal to create art a reality while also navigating the forbidden love being fostered and deter Kira from partaking in the forbidden act of creating art herself.
When connections of past and present collide, Kira is placed in another difficult situation where she realizes that she may have committed similar mistakes with Sonny as she did with a previous mortal to which she sought to inspire, but Sonny proves different. In the end, Kira finally understands the true meaning of Xanadu as it has been foretold.
Red Barn Artistic Director Michael Taylor directs the show, music direction is by Dena Seifert and sound design is by Jeremy Mang. “Xanadu” was written by Douglas Carter Bean with music and lyrics by Jeff Lynne and John Farrar.
The production also features Matthew Reich as Danny McGuire, Kiara Wood as Melpomene and Kody Horrocks as Calliope. Also in the the cast is Madi Myers, Lizzie Kurth, Isabelle Schilling, Johnny Doty, Luke McLaughlin, Eli Grasham, Kaileen Barreto, Maddie Allen, Ellie Perez and Anna Cari-Taylor.
“Xanadu” will hit the stage tonight, Thursday, July 10 at 7:30 p.m. with shows continuing on July 11 and July 12 at 7:30 p.m. with a Sunday matinee on July 13 at 2 p.m. Shows will continue on July 16, July 17, July 18 and July 19 at 7:30 p.m. with two matinees set for Saturday, July 19 and Sunday, July 20 at 2 p.m. to round out the season. Tickets for “Xanadu” may be purchased at redbarntheatre.net or by contacting the Box Office at 765-659-1657.
More Photos Available On Facebook
