Photo Flash: A Look at Penny Seats Theatre Company's XANADU in Ann Arbor's West Park
Penny Seats Theatre Company's 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, runs July 14 through July 30 (Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays) at Ann Arbor's West Park Band Shell.
The Tony-nominated musical comedy 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. 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). Encore Musical Theatre Company's Thalia Schramm and Matthew Brennan provided assistant direction. Musical Direction is provided by Richard Alder, costuming by Virginia Reiche, and set design and technical direction by Steve Hankes.
Advance tickets are available for $10 at the group's website, www.pennyseats.org. Although the curtain goes up at7:00pm each evening, pre-show picnicking is encouraged for Audience members, and the group will sell water and concessions at the park as well.
ABOUT THE PENNY SEATS: Founded in 2010, we're performers and players, minimalists and penny-pinchers. We think theatre should be fun and stirring, not stuffy or repetitive. We believe going to a show should not break the bank. And we find Michigan summer evenings beautiful. Thus, we produce dramas and comedies, musicals and original adaptations, classics and works by up-and-coming playwrights. And you can see any of our shows for the same price as a movie ticket.
FOR MORE INFORMATION about The Penny Seats call 734-926-5346 or Visit: www.pennyseats.org. Photos by Kyle Lawson and Lauren London, and video of the music of Xanadu in rehearsal here.
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Roy Sexton as Danny and Paige Martin as Kira
Matthew Pecek and Paige Martin as Sonny and Kira with Muses
Matthew Pecek as Sonny Performs “Don’t Walk Away� with Muses
Matthew Pecek as Sonny and Paige Martin as Kira
Roy Sexton as Danny Maguire
Kasey Donnelly and Allison Simmons and Melpomene and Calliope
Sebastian Gerstner, Jenna Pittman, Kristin McSweeney, Logan Balcom, Paige Martin as Muses and Kira
Kasey Donnelly, Allison Simmons, Sebastian Gerstner, Paige Martin, Logan Balcom, Kristin McSweeney, Jenna Pittman as Muses with Kira
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