kids theater, The A.C.T. - The Acton Cooperative Theater Acton, MA Xanadu Jr.
Spring 2017 Main Stage Musical
Scroll down for a full Synopsis and Character Breakdown

Tuition

 

$375


Coop Option

(Requires Parent Volunteer Commitment) 


What is Co-op Theater?


-OR-

 

$575 


Non-Coop Option


 (Requires NO Parent Volunteer Commitment)

 

 

Each Cast Member Receives 
A Cast T-shirt!

 

 

Registration is first-come-first serve and is only complete when both registration form and payment are received. 
Times & Dates*
 
Auditions:
Acton Congregational Church
Saturday, February 11th, 2017
10:00am-1:00pm
(please let us know immediately if you have a conflict on this date)

Parent Meeting:
Acton Congregational Church
Friday February 10th, 2017
6:30pm-7:30pm
   
Rehearsals:
Acton Congregational Church
Fridays: March 3rd - June 2nd (for ALL cast members)
4:30pm-7:30pm 
and
*Select Thursdays: between March 9th-June 1st
5:00pm-6:30pm
 (*for Principal Character blocking only) 
(No rehearsals 
Feb 23th- 24th or April 14th-21st)
  
 Tech/Dress Rehearsals:
R.J. Grey Jr. High School
Monday, June 5th- 5:00-8:30pm
Tuesday, June 6th- 5:00-8:30pm
Wednesday, June 7th- 5:00-8:30pm
Thursday, June 8th-5:00-8:30pm
Attendance at all tech and dress reherarsals are mandatory!
 
Performances:
R.J. Grey Jr. High School
Friday, June 9th at 6:00pm
Saturday, June 10th at 7:00pm
Attendance at all shows are mandatory!


*All times and dates subject to change
Call Times:
Rehearsals will be broken down into call times. This means that your child will be required to attend only when their character is called- which may be anytime during their scheduled rehearsal.  Each week an email will go out letting cast members know what time they will need to attend. Cast members may not be dropped off early.
Synopsis:

The year is 1980. Somewhere along the beach in Venice, California, Sonny Malone becomes frustrated with the mural he has painted of the nine muses of Greek mythology. After he storms off in frustration, the Muses come to life ("I'm Alive") and Sonny's Muse, Kira (a.k.a. Clio), hatches a plan to inspire Sonny to artistic greatness.

Kira disguises herself as a regular mortal from Australia and arrives at the Santa Monica pier just in time to rescue Sonny. Kira begins her work ("Magic"), and Sonny reveals his dream to open a roller disco.

Inspiring Sonny brings Kira one step closer to being granted the gift of Xanadu. This infuriates sister Muses, Melpomene and Calliope, who hatch a plan to curse Kira so that she falls in love with the mortal Sonny, something that is strictly forbidden ("Evil Woman").

Sonny and Kira meet again in front of a rundown theater and receive a sign that things are coming together to fulfill Sonny's dream ("Suddenly"). Sonny meets with Danny, the owner of the theater, who is not interested in Sonny's plan until Kira enters and reminds him of someone he knew long ago ("Whenever You're Away from Me"). In a flashback, we learn that Kira once came to Danny in the guise of a Southern belle, Kitty, and inspired him to build the old theater.

Melpomene and Calliope hide in the abandoned theater and await the arrival of Kira and Sonny so they can curse them and make them fall in love. Danny and Sonny run into each other at the theater, which is named Xanadu, and share their individual visions for its restoration ("Dancin'"). Danny agrees to give Sonny the theater if he can fix it up by the end of the day. Kira arrives, and they begin planning, providing Melpomene and Calliope with the moment for which they have been waiting ("Strange Magic").

Left with only one hour to restore the theater, the Muses enter and help with the job ("All over the World"). With the theater restored, Danny is back in show business, and Sonny's dreams are coming true. The two of them admire the Xanadu sign while Kira receives a message from Zeus (via Hermes), reminding her of the rules by which she must live. Realizing her feelings, Kira tries to leave, but Sonny begs her to stay ("Don't Walk Away"). Kira gets away, and her evil sisters talk Danny into selling them the theater.

Kira returns to Venice Beach to re-enter the mural, having failed in her quest to inspire Sonny and achieve Xanadu for herself. Confronted by her sisters and Sonny, the truth comes out, and she leaves, flying back to Mount Olympus on the back of Pegasus ("Suspended in Time").

Kira is brought before Zeus, Aprhodite, Thetis and Hera to answer for what she has done. Zeus proclaims his sentence, but the others beg his mercy ("Have You Never Been Mellow"). Zeus pardons Kira, and Sonny arrives at Mount Olympus to profess his love. Zeus decrees that Kira shall return to Earth as a mortal to be with Sonny. He grants her the gift of Xanadu ("Xanadu").
 
Cast Breakdown:

Sonny Malone: The young male lead from the beaches of California. He is wide-eyed, full of dreams and can be a bit sensitive; after all, he is an artist! While Sonny may not be the brightest, he is very sincere and earnest. 

Kira: The the Greek heroine and loveable, young ingénue. She begins the play as Clio, the youngest and the most idealistic of the Muses. With the addition of leg warmers and an Australian accent, she quickly becomes Kira to help Sonny realize his dreams. She is ambitious, smart and like Sonny, pure of heart. 

Danny Maguire: A real estate magnate and owner of the Xanadu theater. This is a wonderful part for a male actor who is adept at playing character roles. He should be a malleable actor who can evolve from being guarded about protecting the theater to becoming partners with Sonny and then betraying him. 

The Andrews Sisters: (Maxene, Patty and Laverne) are an exact duplicate of the Andrews Sisters that were famous in the 1940s. 

The Tubes: An iconic, hard-rockin' new-wave band of the 80s. 

Melpomene: Muse of Tragedy, is the eldest of the Muses and is most responsible for plotting against Kira. 

Calliope: Muse of Epics, is Melpomene's "Wing-Muse." She is equally devious and listens closely to her sister's direction. 

Other Muses: Erato, Euterpe, Polyhymnia, Terpischore, Thalia and Urania. Each Muse should embody their specific role (i.e. Thalia, Muse of Comedy should have a comedic knack). 

Zeus: The King of the Gods. 

Hera: Zeus' wife and is known for her comparable status to her husband. 

Hermes: Hermes is a hilarious cameo role for a performer with excellent comedic skills. In just a couple of lines, Hermes can deliver a memorable performance. 

Thetis: Thetis is the Goddess of the Sea who tells the pivotal story of Achilles and his vulnerable heel, which in turn, changes Kira's perspective about really loving Sonny. 

Aphrodite: Aphrodite the Goddess of Love.

Sirens: Melpomene's nine alluring daughters, are great cameo roles for actresses who are talented but may not have much experience on the stage before. 

Ensemble: Eros, Cyclops, Centaur, and Medusa. And of course, there is the Greek Chorus, which is the foundation for the world of the play.