The Ocean City Theatre Company’s 2018 professional Broadway Series continues this weekend with the musical adventure Xanadu. The hilarious show will run at the Ocean City Music Pier on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m.Described as “Heaven on Wheels” by The New York Times, Xanadu is based on the Universal Pictures’ cult classic movie of the same title, which starred Olivia Newton-John and Gene Kelly. It was nominated for the 2008 Tony Award for Best Musical.This roller-skating musical adventure, set in 1980, follows the journey of a magical and beautiful Greek muse, Kira, who descends from the heavens to inspire the greatest of artistic achievements – the first roller disco. Along the way she falls in forbidden love with a mortal, and chaos abounds when her jealous sisters take advantage of the situation.
The score, by Jeff Lynne and John Farrar, includes the hits, “Magic,” “Xanadu,” “Party All Over the World” and “I’m Alive” — all top 20 Billboard hits. Lynne wrote and produced all of the music of Electric Light Orchestra and was also responsible for most of the hits that were performed by Olivia Newton-John in the 1970s. OCTC’s Xanadu is directed by Shannon Agnew, with music direction by Andrew Hink. The professional cast of is made up of performers with touring, regional and off-Broadway credits. The cast includes Erin Whitcomb, Danny Drewes, Gabriel Rodrigues, Shannon Agnew, Hannah Breed, Natalie Ragazzo, Kari Lochstoer, Andrew Pace and Robert F. Taylor.Tickets for the 90-minute show range from $18-$20 and can be purchased by calling 609-399-6111 or by visiting oceancityvacation.com/boxoffice. Tickets are also available at the City Hall Welcome Center, the Roy Gillian Welcome Center or at the Music Pier on show days.
