Xanadu Audience Member to Win Skates Autographed by Olivia

80's cult-classic movie Xanadu, starring Olivia Newton-John, has been adapted as a stage musical, and Mosman Musical Society (NSW), one of Australia's oldest musical societies, will bring Xanadu - The Musical, complete with roller-skates and leg warmers, to the Zenith Theatre in Chatswood (NSW) from Friday April 20 to 28.

Mosman has one of the most uniquely appropriate front-of-house raffle prizes Stage Whispers has ever heard of; audience members will have the chance to win a pair of roller skates (pictured) signed by Olivia Newton-John.

“We had the opportunity to approach Olivia Newton-John while she was touring recently with Sydney Symphony Orchestra,” director Anthony Young told Stage Whispers.

“We told her about the show and asked her if she would sign a pair of skates for us as we were presenting a production of Xanadu the Musical. We will be selling tickets each night of the production and will draw a winner on the final night.”

Xanadu - The Musical, with a book by Douglas Carter Beane, with music and lyrics by Jeff Lynne and John Farrar, opened on Broadway in 2007, where it played more than 500 performances. Last year’s Australian premiere of Xanadu in Melbourne, while well-received, failed to tour.

When depressed mural artist Sonny, is rescued from suicide by the Greek muse Clio, they decide to open a roller disco called Xanadu for the love of art. Fending off plots from Clio's jealous sisters, reuniting lost lovers and even climbing Mount Olympus along the way, love triumphs and Xanadu becomes a reality.

Anthony Young says of Xanadu, "This is such a fun show to direct. A story that includes Greek muses, gods and mythological creatures, set in a roller disco with retro hit songs by ELO and John Farrah. It's heaven on wheels!"

Joining Young on the production team are musical director Melinda Hole and choreographer Sammi O'Key.

“As one of the first companies in Australia to present Xanadu the Muscial, creating costumes and props for characters such as Zeus, Cyclops, Medusa and Pegasus, who all make an appearance in the stage version has been challenging but a lot of fun,” Young said.

“The stage version of the musical is a very camp spoof that is funny from the first line to the bows. It has great catchy retro songs that has been so much fun to rehearse and will be even more fun with an audience to share the laughs and the disco balls and glow sticks with,” he added.

“The show calls for an all singing, all dancing and all rollerskating cast.  Jessica Burns, who is playing the Olivia Newton-John inspired role Kira/Clio, has taken to skating lessons having recently purchasing a brand new pair of white boot skates complete with hot pink laces.”

Required to spend most of her on-stage time roller-skating, Burns is cramming in five skating lessons a week to ensure a seemingly effortless performance. "I've done quite a few shows but I'm new to skating so putting the two together is quite a challenge. Clio is just one of those great roles in musical theatre and on the occasion it comes around, you just have to go for it."

Cast:

Clio/Kira                                Jessica Burns

Sonny                                    Daniel O'Connell

Danny                                    Christopher Hamilton

Melpomene                          Jill Munt

Calliope                                Suzie Blackwell

Featured Skater                  Rebekah Reynolds

With

Kiera Connelly, Nikki Lorenz, James Russell, Sammi O'Key, Fiona McFadzean, Liz Rennie, Jody Rose, Susan Boyle, Alex Cotton, Kieren Gromowski, Patric Moberger, Pamela Allen, Kirstie Ross, Nicola Wilson and Mahogany Michaels.

Xanadu - The Musical

20th - 28th April, 2012

The Zenith Theatre, corner of Railway and McIntosh Streets, Chatswood

Bookings: 9777 7547 or www.zeniththeatre.com.au

More Community Theatre - www.stagewhispers.com.au/community-theatre