CATCH ME IF YOU CAN's Kerry Butler Visits a High School's Production of XANADU

Broadway's Kerry Butler (Catch me If You Can, Xanadu, Little Shop of Horrors, Hairspray) visited the first high school production of XANADU in the NYC Tri-State area the morning of opening night, November 17th, 2011.

The students of High Tech High School Musical Theatre have been prepping for the first NYC area high school production of XANADU for months. After a heavy week of long hours and tech rehearsals, they were surprised by a special master class session with Kerry Butler, Tony nominated star of XANADU. Kerry offered advice and shared tips on on career, answered questions about XANADU and provided techniques and exercises to the cast while developing their scene work. An empowering and uplifting experience for the students, they managed to continue the session by previewing a few numbers from their upcoming production of XANADU for Ms. Butler.

The upcoming production of XANADU runs Nov. 18 at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m., Nov. 19 at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m., and 20 at 1pm. They will perform in their 120 seat Black Box Theatre, 2000-85th St., North Bergen NJ. With a fun-filled Grecian set, Rock Concert-style lighting and the cast on quad roller skates.

HTHS Musical Theatre Dept. has acquired over 30 NJ State Papermill Playhouse Nominations and 8 Awards including: Best Overall Production, Costumes, Make-Up, Director and Educational Impact- 15 Nominations for Jersey Metro Cappies Awards and 5 Wins including Leading Actors, Featured Players and Lighting-Performance opportunities in Germany, London and Edinburgh Fringe Festivals, Scotland and even a 5 week summer stint in NYC's Off-Broadway Circuit-High Tech's Musical Theatre Department begins their 13th season with their 25th production- XANADU- The Award Winning 80's Roller Boogie Musical Comedy which debuted on Broadway in 2007.

Directed by Alex Perez and Musical Director, Rod Shepard, the students have been training in NYC on quad roller skates for 2 months. "The plan is to have a blast, while learning the lessons of following your dreams, elements of Greek Mythology, respecting one another and allowing each person to go for their goals no matter what the obstacles are."

Tickets are $15 and can be purchased at the High School during school hours.
Call 201-662-6800 xt. 8241 for more information.