‘Xanadu’ roller-skates along at Fine Arts Association

The Fine Arts Association in Willoughby opened their 2018-19 Theatre Season with the romantic musical fantasy “Xanadu” last weekend. Did you catch their “Strange Magic?”

If not, you have two more weekends to try. “Xanadu” runs Sept. 28 and 29 and Oct. 5 and 6, at 7:30 p.m. and Sept. 30 and Oct. 7, at 2 p.m. The Oct. 7 performance will also be sign-interpreted.

This production is rated PG13.

The play is based on the 1980 movie starring Olivia Newton-John, and features music by Newton-John and Electric Light Orchestra. 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.

Emma Kovach-Uzl is way too young to have caught the original film in theaters, being a young thespian who is a 13-year-old eighth-grader at Eastlake Middle School. Yet here she is.

“I really wanted to do this production because it seemed like an ‘over the top musical,’” Emma says, guessing correctly. “This is a bit outside my comfort zone and an experience that will teach me new skills. The smaller cast was great to work with. Xanadu is different than anything I’ve done before because I am on roller skates for the finale, and I think that it is the hardest part of the show.”

Emma is active in Student Council and Volleyball at school. She has extensive stage experience at FAA as well, having appeared in productions such as “The Little Mermaid,” “Scrooge,” “Beauty and the Beast,” “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” and “Willy Wonka,” and “Once Upon a Mattress.” But she thinks this show takes the cake.

“‘I love ‘Xanadu’ because there are so many great upbeat songs, hilarious jokes, and when you come see the show you will be smiling through it all,” Emma says. “I have seen the film and I try to make sure that when I perform I do it with as much energy as they show in the film and make it look very cheerful and happy.”

Another young thespian in the cast is 14-year-old Brynna Wright, a football cheerleader and fastpitch softball sophomore at Riverside High School. She has appeared in “Into the woods” at Rabbit Run, “Mary Poppins” at Geauga Lyric Theater Guild, “Peter and the star catcher” at Riverside, and “Cinderella” at Fairport High School. Now she finds herself roller skating at FAA.

“‘Xanadu’ just seemed like such a fun show with the ‘80’s plot, dancing and roller skating!” Brynna says of her decision to audition. “Most shows I do don’t have a big comedic aspect to it and I have also never skated in a show before! My character just goes with the flow and is always happy. I’ve seen clips on YouTube of the movie but the show is much different. The show has been running great so far and I hope all of you come see this talented cast in ‘Xanadu!’”

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 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.

Season tickets for the 2018-19 theater season are discounted up to 20 percent. 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.

For more information on the season and class schedules, visit their website or call the Fine Arts Association.

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