They’re back! The Prizery is bustling again with young performers from all over the country rehearsing for the first Summer Theater in three years.
In preparation for their opening on July 7, the 14 actors are singing and dancing up a storm in rehearsal for the musical Xanadu. There will be a lot of roller skating practice too because some of the dance numbers will be on wheels.
Made famous by Olivia Newton-John and Gene Kelly in a 1980 movie, the show is a musical fantasy with hit songs such as “Suddenly, “Magic,” “Have You Ever Been Mellow” and the title song “Xanadu.”
Rehearsals began on Monday June 20 with singing practices led by Music Director Mark Smith and acting and choreography by The Prizery’s executive director, Melanie
Cornelison-Jannotta. “I think the audience will find this a funny and exciting show,” she says.
The cast and crew are staying with seven area families who opened up their homes to the professional summer-stock performers and crew. They hail from such diverse places as New York, Massachusetts, Georgia, Tennessee, Texas, Kentucky, Virginia and North Carolina.
One of them, Bowen Huang, is even from Chong Quing, China. “I am so excited to make my professional debut at The Prizery after two years of study at Emerson College,” she says. “ I am thrilled to spend a summer I will never forget with these directors, choreographers and fellow actors and just have the best time of my life.”
Another, Claire Wilson, had worked with Ms. Cornelison-Jannota in 20 productions in Kentucky. “I auditioned for The Prizery before I ever found out she was going to be the new executive director, so this was a wild surprise!” she says. Ms. Wilson adds: “South Boston has been very pleasing to me, and so far I’m seriously digging the small town charm.”
The Prizery | 700 Bruce Street, South Boston VA 24592 | 434-572-8339 | boxoffice@prizery.com
Jonah Barricko, from Boston, knew about Summer Theater because his sister, Jenna, performed there in 2019. “She’s the one who introduced me to theater, and I am so glad she did,” he says. “She really loved her time here and I am looking forward to the next four weeks.”
Xanadu follows the journey of a magical and beautiful Greek muse, Kira, who descends from the heavens of Mount Olympus to Venice Beach, California, on a quest to inspire a struggling artist, Sonny, to achieve the greatest artistic creation of all time – the first roller disco! But, when Kira falls into forbidden love with the mortal Sonny, her jealous sisters take advantage of the situation, and chaos abounds. On Broadway, the musical ran for 500 performances and was nominated for a Tony award.
Xanadu will have Thursday through Saturday performances July 7, 8 9 and 14, 15 and 16 at 7:30 p.m. Sunday matinees will be July 10 and 17 at 3 p.m.
Get tickets at prizery.org or by calling 434-572-8339.
Original source can be found here.
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