Delaware County Review

Join Ohio Wesleyan University for a trip to “Xanadu,” where Kira, a beautiful Greek muse, descends from the heavens of Mount Olympus to inspire Sonny, a struggling artist in Venice Beach, California, to achieve the greatest artistic creation of all time – the first roller disco!

When Kira falls into forbidden love with the mortal, her jealous sisters take advantage of the situation, and chaos abounds. Set in 1980, Xanadu” features a book by Douglas Carter Beane and music and lyrics by Jeff Lynne (co-founder of the rock band Electric Light Orchestra) and John Farrar.

The Ohio Wesleyan Department of Performing Arts will present five performances of “Xanadu” at 7:30 p.m. on April 13, 14, 15, 21, and 22 on the Main Stage of Chappelear Drama Center, 45 Rowland Ave., Delaware. Tickets are free for everyone, but reservations are required by visiting owu.edu/Xanadu.

The play has been described as “a moving, electrifying tale of endless fun that will keep audiences in stitches while the original legendary, chart-topping tunes lift them out of their seats.” It is rated PG.

Brian Granger, Ph.D., assistant professor of theatre, is the director for “Xanadu,” and Jason Hiester, D.M.A., associate professor of music, is providing music direction. Isaiah Harris, part-time instructor of dance, is the show’s choreographer; Justin A. Miller is the technical director and set designer; Alanna Easley, Ohio Wesleyan Class of 2018, is the lighting designer; Jaylene Jennings is the costume designer; and RJ Barnhart is the sound engineer.

Fifteen Ohio Wesleyan students are performing in the musical. The students, their hometowns, and their roles are:

Main Cast

Katie Davis of Bryan, Ohio, as Kira

Payton Andisman of Akron, Ohio, as Sonny

Daniel Smith, Columbus, Ohio, of Danny / Zeus

Liz Nebel of Evanston, Illinois, as Melpomene

Emerson Freas of Oberlin, Ohio, as Calliope / Aphrodite, Dance Captain

Rachel Madore of Galion, Ohio, as Erato / Hera

Baylin Bell of Chicago, Illinois, as Terpsichore

Wyatt Wells of Marion, Ohio, as Thalia

Grace Luxon of Topeka, Kansas, as Euterpe

Ensemble

Abby Bennett of Caledonia, Ohio

Emily Clausing of Portsmouth, Ohio

Pedro Figueiredo of Salvador, Bahia, Brazil

Abby Parker of Perry, New York

Anya Shevchik of Jefferson, Ohio

Andrew Staley of Columbus, Ohio

Twenty-four OWU students are filling key production jobs. Their names, hometowns, and responsibilities are:

Stage Management

Chloe Williams of Wilmington, Ohio, stage manager

Brielle Decarolis of Albrightsville, Pennsylvania, assistant stage manager

Nic Laurence of Medina, Ohio, assistant stage manager

Elizabeth Sumoza of Chicago, Illinois, assistant stage manager

Light Crew

Ami Hartshorne of Columbus, Ohio, lights assistant

Sam Miller of Oakwood, Ohio, light board operator

Run Crew

Jude Campbell of Blissfield, Michigan

Jack Miller of Ellwood City, Pennsylvania

Fiona Minton of Darien, Connecticut

Ethan White of Columbus, Ohio

Costume Crew

Isabelle Tinti-Kane of Marblehead, Massachusetts, costume head

Alex Dolph of Middletown, Ohio

Kayla Rush of Canonsburg, Pennsylvania

Props Crew

Maja Todorovic of Chicago, Illinois, props head

Evan Van Deusen of Chattanooga, Tennessee

Program and Lobby Display Designer

Millie Rocco of Vancleave, Mississippi

Set Crew

Sam Conti of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Marcos Crespo of Guaynabo, Puerto Rico

Savannah Domenech of Webster, New York

Emma Pieterse of Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa

Sound Crew

Katherine Dunn of Little Rock, Arkansas, sound assistant

Maddie Coleman of Avon Lake, Ohio

Kaya Ferrell of Delaware, Ohio

House Manager

Ella Florkey of Waynesville, Ohio

For more information about the play, OWU’s 2022-2023 performance schedule, or studying theatre, dance, or music at Ohio Wesleyan, visit owu.edu/PerformingArts. For questions, call the box office at (740) 368-3855.

Original source can be found here.