Penny Seats Theatre Company's XANADU Opens 7/14

On July 14 at Ann Arbor's West Park Band Shell, the Penny Seats Theatre Company launches their production of 2007 Broadway musical smash, Xanadu (based on the 1980 cult classic movie of the same name), with a book by Douglas Carter Beane and music and lyrics by Jeff Lynne and John Farrar.

Tony nominated musical comedy Xanadu tells the tale of a Greek Muse's descent from Mt. Olympus to Venice Beach, California, to inspire a struggling artist to achieve the greatest artistic creation of all time - the world's first roller disco. And yes, there will be roller skating in the park!

With direction by R. MacKenzie Lewis and choreography by Sebastian Gerstner, based on concepts by Phil Simmons, the show will feature performers Paige Martin (Ann Arbor), Matthew Pecek (Adrian), Roy Sexton (Saline), Kasey Donnelly (Ypsilanti), Allison Simmons (Holland), Sebastian Gerstner (Ann Arbor), Logan Balcom (Hillsdale), Jenna Pittman (Waterford), and Kristin McSweeney (Ypsilanti). Musical Direction is provided by Richard Alder, costuming by Virginia Reiche, and set design and technical direction by Steve Hankes.

Martin, who has been nominated for an Encore Michigan Wilde Award for her performance as "Little Sally" in last summer's Penny Seats production of Urinetown - the company's first nomination in the prestigious competition, portrays muse Kira (played by Kerry Butler in the Broadway cast), whose positive intentions to inspire art and love quickly go awry. (Lewis and Gerstner are also nominated this year for Wilde Awards for their work last year at other area theatres.) Martin notes, "This is my third show with the Penny Seats, after playing Little Sally in Urinetown and choreographing Jacques Brel, and I really love the spirit of this company, blending professionalism, inclusion, and whimsy. Playing this muse - Clio or Kira or Kitty or whatever name she's using at any given moment - is such a fun adventure. I get to play screwball comedy and romance and a little campy Greek tragedy all at once. It's a hoot."

Pecek, a graduate of Adrian College, portrays Kira's romantic interest 'Sonny Malone' [played in the original Broadway production by American Horror Story's Cheyenne Jackson], and it is Xanadu's unique score that holds the greatest joy for him. "Electric Light Orchestra's harmony-infused pop songs make for the perfect jukebox musical and adding Olivia Newton-John's power ballads into the mix keeps the soundtrack fresh. I truly believe this is the best jukebox musical ever written. This soundtrack kept me alive during exams my sophomore year of college and now I get to rock out to it every night all over again."

Martin, a graduate student at the University of Michigan, observes, though, that the show isn't all fun and games, "I am beyond thrilled to be playing Kira, but the role has come with some significant challenges. Not surprisingly, the most difficult aspect of playing Kira has been the roller skating. It's amazing how much the skates cause slight balance shifts and inhibit sudden, quick movements, thus greatly affecting my acting. Of course, performing on a stage of 'rough rock' [West Park's stamped concrete patio] doesn't make it any easier, but it certainly will add an element of adventure to each performance! I just love playing this quirky, Australian-accented muse from Ancient Greece, among a vibrantly talented cast and creative team, in this ridiculous, yet endearing show."

Pecek adds, wryly, "Working with Roy Sexton [Sonny's elder rival 'Danny Maquire,' played by Tony Roberts in the original stage show] has been an incredible experience. His poise and natural instinct onstage is rivaled only by his giving nature and his fierce passion for his art. I'll never meet the likes of him again ...and I don't think I'd ever want to."

The production process beautifully exemplified how cohesive the local theatre community can be when, due to unforeseen challenges, Phil Simmons was unable to continue in the director role. Penny Seats president Lauren London notes, "More than any other, this show has demonstrated to me the power of our theater community when we stick together. We were heartbroken to lose Phil Simmons as a director for this show, but literally within minutes we had Sebastian expanding his role, Phil's colleague Ryan taking the reins, and friends from The Encore Musical Theatre Company offering their aid as well. The cohesion of this group boggled our minds, crystallized Phil's vision, and touched all of us. We owe the whole community a huge debt of gratitude, and we can't wait to share the result of this collaboration. And we look forward to working with Phil again on a future production."

R. MacKenzie Lewis is currently the composer and music director for Eastern Michigan University's Theater Department and a lecturer with their Department of Music. Lewis' recent works include composing The Wings of Ikarus Jackson at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., orchestrating and music directing the National Tour and Off-Broadway productions of The Berenstain Bears LIVE: Family Matters, composing Video Games: The Rock Opera and the world premiere musical with Ben Vereen, Soaring on BlacK Wings. He has kept busy by music directing at the Hangar Theatre in New York, the Performance Network in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and recently performing in the Las Vegas production of Ain't Misbehavin'.

Lewis is effusive about Xanadu and its kitschy era, "This is a show that takes us back to a moment when times were simpler, carefree, our hair was feathered, and roller skates reigned supreme. I love this cheeky and totally tubular love letter to the 80's that both satirizes and celebrates the spirit of my childhood. And who can beat watching videos of Olivia Newton-John roller skating for show research?"

Pecek elaborates, "This show is certainly an irreverent romp through the 80s but at its core, it's about a man who needs guidance and the woman who shows him the path to artistic fulfillment. The musical serves as both a ridiculous comedy and a feminist anthem and I think that's one reason it's been so successful in the last decade."

Xanadu will run at West Park's band shell from July 14th to July 30th at 7:00pm on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays.

Advance tickets are available for $10 at the group's website, www.pennyseats.org. Although the curtain goes up at 7:00pm each evening, pre-show picnicking is encouraged for Audience members, and the group will sell water and concessions at the park as well.

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