Roller Disco Fever Comes To Marshall With Spring Musical 'Xanadu'

FALLS CHURCH, VA — Theater students at George C. Marshall High Schools will take their audiences back to the 1980s when roller discos thrived with their spring musical "Xanadu." Perofrmances are scheduled for May 4 to 6.

The musical is an adaptation of the movie "Xanadu" starring Olivia Newton John and Gene Kelly. The story follows Greek muse Kira who comes down to Mount Olympus to help struggling California street artist Sonny accomplish a dream of running a roller disco. But chaos ensues when Kira falls in love with Sonny, and her jealous sister muses plot her downfall with Zeus.

The musical pokes fun at the original movie as well as the 1980s in general. The musical lineup features top rock and pop hits by Electric Light Orchestra and Olivia-Newton John.

"This show has been on my bucket list since I saw a side-splitting production at
Signature Theatre in 2010," said Bernie DeLeo, director of Marshall High School's Statesmen Theatre. "And even more so after my daughter played the lead in a brilliant production at the former George Mason High School in the Fall of 2012. It is full of glorious silliness which we still all very much need in these stressful times."

Earlier in the spring musical preparations, students had the chance to learn from a star who performed in "Xanadu" on Broadway. Kerry Butler, who has played roles in Broadway musical premieres like "Hairspray," "Xanadu," "Mean Girls" and "Beetlejuice," visited the high school theater program for a musical workshop on Feb. 17.

Butler did a musical workshop with students after doing a similar workshop for Oakton High School's upcoming musical "Mean Girls." At Marshall High School, Butler coached Sophia Welch and Dale DeVinney as the two lead love interests, as well as Sara Porjosh and Lia Davila as two competing muses. She also told stories about how they did the original staging for "Xanadu," what it was like to roller skate while singing, dancing and acting, and how to give depth to characters even in a silly show.

"Xanadu" will be presented by Marshall High School's Statesmen Theatre on Friday, May 4, Friday, May 5 and Saturday, May 6 at 7:30 p.m. as well 2 p.m. Saturday for a matinee. The auditorium is located at Door 13 of Marshall High School. The show runs one hour and 45 minutes with a 15-minute intermission.

Tickets are available online at www.statesmentheatre.org or at the box office before performances. The box office is open at 1 p.m. for the matinee and 6 p.m. for evening shows.