Xanadu Will Give the Community the Chance to Dance, Sing and Disco

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As drama swirls all around us, March 19, 20 and 21 aims to provide a respite. The John Jay Theater WorkshopThe will be putting on its spring play at the high school, and the subject matter is definitely in line with the necessity.

“This opportunity was the best for everybody. We needed a space to laugh, to dance, to sing and do some disco,” extolled Jackie Massé, who is directing the theatrical version of Xanadu.

Olivia Newton John and the Electric Light Orchestra (ELO) delivering the baseline, the Assistant Stage Manager laid out the beat. “80s music,” said Anneliese Zaken, “it’s so groovy.”

Sami Sperling agreed. “I love Rock ’n Roll,” and she will belt most of it out.

As the female lead, her pipes have a heavy responsibility. “Xanadu is about a muse who wants to inspire mortals to create art,” said Sperling, who plays Clio

Danny McGuire is the immortal’s main target. She tries to reignite his passion for art, and the former love interest takes the cue. “He’s trying to open the Xanadu Roller Rink,” said RJ Ellrodt of his character.

Travails in store, the journey signifies the main message of the play, according to the co-lead. “If you have an idea, don’t let anything stop you,” he said, “go all the way.”

In this, he sees his co-star going the distance. “I almost feel Olivia Newton-John in Sami, and in the rest of the amazing cast,” said Ellrodt.

Unfortunately, Clio’s sisters are not impressed. Melpomene and Calliope, both are jealous and try to level a curse on their sister. This way she falls in love with a mortal, and that would have Zeus casting her to the netherworld “I’m an evil, evil woman,” joked Kaitlin Domoto.

The presentation is not so dire, though. Silly and vibrant, said the four year theater veteran, “that’s how we get an evil persona.”

In tandem, Lily Mostero feels the synergy as Melpomene. “Kaitlin and I, we have a lot of good chemistry so we can really just play off the characters,” said the senior.

Nothing new, she’s been at this since first grade and is long over stage fright. Still, opening night jitters do get to her. That is until the first cue shines. “When you get out there and the lights hit you, it just goes away,” said the aspiring screenwriter.

David Bardavid seems to manage too and is in prime position within the hierarchy. “He’s Zeus’ right hand man,” said the junior, and his job is to make sure Clio doesn’t fall in love with a human.

But acting has taken off his real life guardrails. “Before theater, I was so sheltered,” he revealed. “It helped me come out of my shell and find a community.”

There’s life behind the scenes too where Bohdan Adrianowycz is the Student Technical Director. “I’m making the vision of the set come to life, and also if anything falls apart backstage, if there’s a problem with any set pieces, it’s my responsibility to fix it,” said the senior.

The production also turns to Zaken for direction. “Stage managing, she said, “it’s a lot of getting the cast together and making sure they are on time with their cues.”

The same going for the crew, Zaken doesn’t push too hard as an authority figure. “The job is a lot of listening to the actors,” she said. “You can have fun but you have to stay focused."

Sonny definitely wants to maintain his attention span too. Due to the evil efforts of the sisters, the character is trying not to fall in love with Clio, so the goddess does not fall from grace. “Melpomene and Calliope would then take over Clio’s role as the leader of the muses,” said Gracyn Holm-Jorgenson.

Not very nice the actress admits, the audience will definitely not be brought down. “The show is such a fun time. It’s got a crazy plot. It’s kind of wild and very camp,” she made the case and hopes to see you there.

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