XANADU Begins Tonight at CT Repertory Theatre

Connecticut Repertory Theatre completes its 2015 Nutmeg Summer Series with the musical comedy Xanadu. Directed by CRT's Artistic Director, Vincent J. Cardinal and choreographed by Cassie Abate, Xanadu tells the story of a muse named Clio who travels to 1980's Venice Beach, California disguised as a mortal to inspire chalk artist and beach boy Sonny Malone. Clio faces the jealousy of her two sisters, Melpomene and Calliope, the wrath of her father Zeus, and the struggles of fitting in as a mortal as she and Danny fight for their dream to open a roller disco with awesome mirror balls. Amandina Altomare stars in the lead role of Clio/Kira. Altomare was previously seen on the CRT stage as Lousie in Gypsy, Judy in A Chorus Line, and earlier this summer in LES MISERABLES: A Musical Celebration directed by Terrence Mann. Performances of Xanadu begin on July 9, 2015 and run through July 19, 2015 at Connecticut Repertory Theatre's Harriet S. Jorgensen Theatre. Tickets are on sale now at crt.uconn.edu or 860-486-2113.

Appearing opposite Altomare will be Luke Hamilton in the lead male role of Sonny. Hamilton, a recent graduate of the University of Miami, will be returning to CRT after playing Don in A Chorus Line and Tulsa in Gypsy during the 2014 Nutmeg Summer Series. The role of real-estate mogul Danny Maguire will be played by Dirk Lumbard. A Broadway veteran, Lumbard's NYC credits include Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Harold Hill in The Music Man, Imaginary Friends, On Your Toes, Barnum, and Sugar Babies. Off-Broadway credits include Flora The Red Menace, Dames at Sea, Grand Hotel, Crazy For You, and the National Tour of The Wizard of Oz (Joseph Jefferson Award). Canadian credits include The Music Man (Stage Door Award), Kiss Me Kate, Titus Andronicus, and Comedy of Errors. Television credits include Deadline (NBC), Home Improvement (ABC) and Alice in Wonderland (PBS). The rest of the cast includes: Steve Hayes (Calliope/Aphrodite), Ariana Shore (Melpomene/Medusa), Taylor Stutz (Muse #1), Johnny Brantley III (Muse #2), Jayne Ng (Muse #3), Annie Wallace (Muse #4) and Conor Connally (Muse #5).

Artistic Director Cardinal says, "This Company is the ideal combination of veteran artists, mid-career professionals and recent graduates from top-flight theater programs around the nation. Their talent, this hilarious story, and the classic pop songs from the 70s and 80's guarantee an entertaining alchemy for a magical summer night."

The creative team includes: Vincent J. Cardinal (Director), Cassie Abate (Choreographer), NDavid Williams (Music Director), Daniel Moctezuma (Conductor), Lisa Loen (Costume Designer), Tim Brown (Scenic and Projection Designer), Chuan-Chi Chan (Lighting Designer), Michael Vincent Skinner (Sound Designer), John W. Parmalee (Technical Director), Alyssa K. Howard (Production Stage Manager), and McCorkle Casting (New York Casting).

Evening performances start at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, and at 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Matinee performances start at 2 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Single ticket prices range from $10 to $55.

Children must be at least 4 years old to attend CRT productions. For additional ticket information or to charge tickets by phone, call 860-486-2113. All sales are final; no refunds. Play selections and performance dates are subject to change.

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