(Sentinel Photo by Beverly Van Buskirk) Le Mars Community Middle School students run through a dress rehearsal for their production of “Xanadu JR.” Nearly 200 LCMS students are involved in this year’s musical which features energetic moves and ‘80s music. Public performances are at 7:30 p.m., Thursday and Friday, March 12 and 13. All seats are $5. They will also present previews to elementary students today (Wednesday).
LE MARS — Le Mars Community Middle School choir students will present “Xanadu JR.” on the middle school auditorium stage Thursday and Friday, March 12 and 13. Curtain time is 7:30 p.m.
Audience members are invited to crimp their hair, flip up their collars, rock some legwarmers and join the talented choir students as they perform in the pop-rock musical comedy.
Middle School Choir Director Nancy Ewing is directing the cast of nearly 200 students.
“I remembered this show as a movie (with Olivia Newton John), and the music was fabulous,” Ewing said. “The Broadway version is even more fantastic, and is full of many comical moments and memorable characters. These middle school students are rockin’ it.”
Ewing explained Xanadu JR. is a hilarious musical adventure about following your dreams in the face of obstacles. It follows the journey of a magical and beautiful Greek Muse, Kira, who descends from the heavens of Mt. Olympus to Venice Beach, California, in 1980. Kira is on a quest to inspire a struggling artist, Sonny, to achieve the greatest artistic creation of all time … the first roller disco. (Remember, it’s 1980). However, when Kira falls into forbidden love with the mortal Sonny, her jealous sisters take advantage of the situation, and chaos abounds.
Xanadu JR. features a charmingly witty book by Douglas Carter Beane and an original hit score by pop-rock legends Jeff Lynne and John Farrar, which includes songs like “Magic,” “All Over The World,” “I’m Alive,” “Evil Woman,” “Have You Never Been Mellow” and “Xanadu.”
The student version of the show is based on the Tony nominated Broadway musical, which was based on the 1980 Universal Pictures film with a screenplay by Richard Danus and Marc Rubel, which in turn, was inspired by the 1947 film “Down to Earth.”
According to Ewing, students auditioned in late October for their roles in the cast. The cast list was posted at Thanksgiving, the first read through was before Christmas break and rehearsals started Jan. 6.
All 6th, 7th and 8th grade choir students are part of the production. Only 7th and 8th graders were eligible to audition for a part in the cast, and all others are members of the chorus, she continued.
“We actually have a little under 200 LCMS students involved this year. However, I have several high school students who assist backstage with scenery, curtains, lights, etc.,” Ewing said.
The cast (which is about 50 7th and 8th grade students) rehearses after school 2-3 nights a week, and all the chorus members have learned their parts (which are mostly the production numbers) during choir class.
“By having two nights of the show, the 6th grade chorus performs one night (Thursday) with the cast and the 7th/8th grade chorus performs the next night (Friday),” Ewing said.
The students bring a lot of energy to the stage in their performance.
“They have had a lot of fun. For the majority of them, this is their first time being involved in a theatrical production. They’ve done a great job working together, learning their parts, and helping to make props, costumes, etc.,” Ewing noted.
“Since our first production in 2007, this is our eighth musical at LCMS. We have traditionally skipped a year in between each show,” she said.
Asher Moss plays the role of Sonny Malone, with Bristen Benstead playing the role of Kira/Clio (Kitty) and Kemper Bowden as Danny.
The musical is part of the Music Theatre International (MTI) Broadway Junior Collection®, MTI’s special collection of musicals for young performers which includes “JR.” titles, 60-minute musicals for performance by middle school children and “KIDS” titles, 30-minute musicals for performance by elementary school children. It is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). 421 West 54th Street, New York.
The cast will present two previews for elementary students today (Wednesday).
For the Thursday and Friday public performances, all seats are $5 and tickets may be purchased at the door only each evening. Doors open at 6:45 p.m. for this family-friendly show which runs approximately one hour.