Thespians hard at work as fall play season arrives

Hard to believe that fall arrives on Saturday, but the pumpkin spiced lattes aren’t the only signs of seasonal change out there.

At your local theaters, your young thespians are hard at work getting ready for fall play season. You will read plenty about our area high schools in the coming months as they prepare the first half of their theatre seasons.

But if you just can’t wait for the high schools to tread the boards, you can get your early fix at The Fine Arts Association in Willoughby this weekend as they open their 2018-19 Theatre Season with the romantic musical fantasy “Xanadu.”

“Xanadu” runs Sept. 21, 22, 28 and 29 and Oct. 5 and 6, at 7:30 p.m. and Sept. 23 and 30 and Oct. 7, at 2 p.m. The Oct. 7 performance will also be sign-interpreted. This production is rated PG-13.

The Fine Arts Association is located at 38660 Mentor Ave. in Willoughby. The Corning Auditorium is barrier free, and secure, on-site parking is free.

For tickets to “Xanadu,” call 440-951-7500 or visit https:// www.fineartsassociation.org/ performance/.

Reservations are not required but recommended. Individual tickets are $25 for adults, $23 for seniors and students ages 11 and over and $15 for children ages 10 and under. Discounted group tickets for 10 or more are also available.

A special offer is available for opening weekend. Buy one adult ticket at full price and receive one ticket free for performances on Sept. 21-23.

Season tickets for the 2018-19 theater season are discounted up to 20 percent over regular ticket prices. If you would like to subscribe to the entire season, now is the time. Subscription deadlines close Oct. 7 for the Complete and Modern Classics packages and Dec. 16 for the Family package.

“Xanadu” is based on the 1980 movie starring Olivia Newton-John, and features music by Newton-John and Electric Light Orchestra. Songs like Newton-John’s number one U.S. hit “Magic” and ELO’s “Strange Magic” and “Evil Woman” made the movie soundtrack a worldwide bestseller.

Xanadu refers to the roller disco that frustrated artist Sonny Malone (Kyle Lorek) and former big band leader Danny McGuire (Steve Royer) are encouraged to open by the beautiful, elusive Kira (Emily Zart), an Olympian Muse visiting Earth.

“Who doesn’t need a good laugh these days?” asks David Malinowski, “Xanadu” director and FAA’s Roger and Anne Clapp Chair of Performing Arts. “‘Xanadu’ provides a respite from the daily trials that affect us all. It’s fun, it’s rollicking, it’s the perfect production to open our upbeat theater season!”

Malinowski encourages everyone to, “Get your tickets today! Just Xanadu it!”

As always, there are some area young thespians making up the cast, and in coming weeks I will profile a few of them for you. Emily Stack, Mary Fowler, Liam Klobas, Michael Richmond, Gabrielle Perusek, Molly Lorek, Brynna Wright and Emma Kovach-Uzl are amongst the cast.

I’d say “break a leg,” but given the use of roller skates, I’ll break tradition and wish them good luck on opening weekend!

Young Thespians is a regular column that focuses on youth in theater. Do you have a production you wish to see featured? Email stevecouch@ windstream.net, follow me @ StevenRCouch on Twitter or join our “Young Thespians” Facebook group and post your show info.

Young Thespians Steve Couch