The McNicholas Theatre Department will debut the 2023 spring musical Xanadu written by Douglas Carter Beane, Jeff Lyne, and John Farrar from March 2nd-5th at the Anderson Center. The musical is set in the 1980s following an artist, Sonny Malone, who is struggling when he encounters a young, Greek muse who inspires him to create a roller disco.
The show is directed by theatre teacher Leslie Baum, “I’m having the best time with this show! I think it’s really funny, the numbers are great…all of the students who are in it are working their tails off, and it’s going to be a really special show and I am excited to share it with the community,” Baum said.
Senior Gwyneth Gaunt portrays the lead role of Kira (Clio). “This is my first lead in a show, and I am super excited! I kind knew my time was coming and that I have been wanting this for a long time; it felt like a big relief.” Gaunt said.
Junior Mary Ganim and Georgia Reymann, grandmother of freshman Elise Hilbert and junior Joseph Hilbert, actor of Sonny Malone. Reymann and Ganim are both head of costume/makeup, helping the actors get into character and preparing them to present on stage.
“The process of being costume crew is a very relaxed and lengthy process.” Ganim said. Freshman Annemarie Wolfer plays the role of Hera. Hera is a Greek goddess who is portrayed as the queen of the Greek gods and goddess of marriage. Despite her being the goddess of marriage, she is known to be envious and vindictive towards Zeus’ lovers and offspring.
“I was really surprised because freshman don’t usually get roles and I had a very bad audition.” Wolfer said.
Tickets are $15 for admission and sold on the McNicholas High School website for the following show dates and time:
March 2 at 7:30 p.m.
March 3 at 7:30 p.m.
March 4 at 2 p.m.
March 5 at 1 p.m.
The McNicholas Milestone 