Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma opens a brand new season with the inspiring comedy, XANADU, showing at Lyric’s Plaza Theatre from January 25 through February 11, 2012. The New York Times calls it “heaven on wheels” and “ingenious”.
This over-the-top, hysterical roller-skating musical spoofs the outrageously bad 1980s film about a beautiful muse who descends from the heavens of Mt. Olympus to Venice Beach and inspires a struggling artist to pursue his dreams. It’s hilarity on wheels for anyone who has ever wanted to feel inspired.
This production is under the direction of Alan Muraoka, who directed Lyric’s productions of HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL and HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL 2 in 2007 and 2009, and has many Broadway, Off-Broadway and National tour credits as an actor including MISS SIAGON, THE KING AND I, ANYTHING GOES and MAME. Some might recognize Muroaka as Alan, proprietor of Hooper’s Store on Sesame Street since 1998. Muroaka is ready to bring something different to Lyric’s Plaza Theatre stage to help kick off the new season.
“This show has awesome 80s music with roller skating and even some fake Australian accents. That’s what awaits you in the upcoming Lyric production of XANADU,” says Muroaka. “The music will make you want to dance in the aisles, but don’t because we’ll probably be roller skating in them. A great time is guaranteed by all who experience it.”
Completing Muraoka’s artistic staff for XANADU is Chris Castleberry, choreographer; Brian Hamilton, music director; Christopher Domanski, set designer; Jeffrey Meek, costume designer; Art Whaley, lighting designer; Brad Poarch, sound designer and Jeff Cochran, stage manager.
A familiar face on Lyric’s stage, Oklahoma City native, Lexi Windsor, is playing the young and perky Kira in Lyric’s production of XANADU. Audiences will recognize Windsor as Gretchen in Lyric’s 2011 production of BOEING BOEING and Evelyn Nesbit in Lyric’s 2011 summer production of RAGTIME.
“I love the music of Electric Light Orchestra, and I'm so excited to go to the theatre every night, throw on some roller skates and rock out to ELO for a fun evening of live music and slaphappy comedy,” says Windsor. “But ultimately, I love the challenge. I haven't had a role with this much responsibility on the Lyric stage before, so it is truly an honor to attempt something of this measure.”
Joining Windsor on Lyric’s Plaza stage and playing Kira’s forbidden love is New York City’s Adam Levinskas, as Sonny Malone. Levinskas, making his Lyric debut in the production of XANADU, played Asher in the National Tour of JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT. Other cast members include Renee Anderson (Lyric’s OLIVER!), Jacob Chancellor (Lyric’s 42nd STREET), Stephen Hilton (Lyric’s HAIRSPRAY and RAGTIME), Sheran Keyton, Eloise Kropp (Lyric’s HAIRSPRAY and A CHORUS LINE) , Parish Mechling (Lyric’s THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW and DECEMBER DIVAS), Jamard Richardson (Lyric’s HAIRSPRAY and RAGTIME) and Christopher Sieker (Lyric’s THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW).
As an added treat, the original star of the film XANADU, Olivia Newton-John, has recorded a special pre-show announcement just for Lyric’s production.
Single tickets for XANADU are $40 and are available to purchase. For tickets go to www.LyricTheatreOKC.com, call (405) 524-9312, or come by Lyric’s box office at 1727 NW 16th St, Oklahoma City, OK.
Performance times are Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at 7:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday at 8:00 p.m. with a 2:00 p.m. matinee on Saturday afternoon. XANADU is sponsored by Bank of Oklahoma, Chesapeake Energy, The Oklahoman, Allied Arts and the Oklahoma Arts Council.
Founded in 1963, Lyric Theatre is Oklahoma's only professional year-round musical theatre company. For almost 50 years, Lyric has produced classic and contemporary musicals featuring both nationally known Broadway stars and local favorites.
Beginning in the summer of 2002, Lyric Theatre moved its summer season from the Kirkpatrick Fine Arts Auditorium to the Thelma Gaylord Performing Arts Theatre in the newly renovated Civic Center Music Hall in downtown Oklahoma City. Lyric productions include the best of classic, modern, artistic, and family theatre for an audience of over 50,000 people.
