XANADU Film Star Set for ATC's Benefit, 6/8

Culminating American Theater Company's (ATC) season-long Legacy Campaign supporting the vision of its late artistic director, PJ Paparelli, ATC will host a special performance of Xanadu, a guilty pleasure of Paparelli's, Wednesday, June 8, starting at 8 p.m. The event will feature a post-show reception and talk-back with actress Katie Hanley who, among other theater and film credits, appeared in the 1980 Universal Pictures film Xanadu, and on Broadway as "Marty" in the original 1972 production of Grease. Hanley will be joined by native Chicagoan Jim Jacobs, co-creator of the musical Grease and ATC's Legacy Campaign chairman. Tickets are $75 for a single ticket and $125 for a pair. Proceeds from the campaign are dedicated to developing and producing new work and providing free education programming to Chicago Public High School students. American Theater Company is located at 1909 W. Byron Street, Chicago. To purchase tickets for this special Xanadu evening, please visit www.atcweb.org or call 773.409.4125.

Born and raised in Evanston, Katie Hanley's other credits include the Broadway production of Godspell (1976) as well as the film version (1973), along with supporting roles in many television series including Charlie's Angels and Father Murphy.

Jim Jacobs has been a supporter of ATC since 2009 when he partnered with PJ Paparelli to produce the world premiere of The Original Grease, an acclaimed re-imagining and restoration of the famous Broadway musical to its original version-which hadn't been performed since its 1971 Chicago premiere. The Original Grease marked the show's 40 anniversary and went on to win the Jeff Award for Best Musical.

This production of Xanadu at American Theater Company is directed by Lili-Anne Brown and runs May 27-July 17, 2016. The production has music and lyrics by Jeff Lynne and John Farrar and a book by Douglas Carter Beane, based on the 1980 Universal Pictures film of the same title.

Xanadu takes place in Venice, California in 1980. Struggling artist Sonny Malone seeks to create his own version of the American dream by renovating an abandoned warehouse into a venue for world-class entertainment-a roller disco! A hilarious and modern update of the1980's camp classic, Xanadu celebrates the artist's muse, even when it comes from the most unlikely of places.

Single tickets for Xanadu range from $48-$58. Student tickets are available for $15 with valid student ID in-person at the Box Office. More information and tickets are available by visiting the ATC Box Office at 1909 W. Byron Street, by calling 773-409-4125 or visiting www.atcweb.org.

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