School Musical Postponed

With March just around the corner, Northwest Academy’s first full musical “Xanadu” has been postponed.

Director Wade Willis, along with choreographer Erin Shannon, made the decision to push back the opening of “Xanadu” because the cast was not ready. The show was scheduled to run from March 6 through 9.

“Since this is the first time NWA has produced a full book musical, Erin and I thought we had given us enough time for the rehearsal process,” Willis said. “Unfortunately, since we only meet two days per week, totally three hours per week, the retention of what we cover from rehearsal to rehearsal isn’t as good as if we met three hours per day, five days per week.”

This particular musical has reportedly been challenging for the cast. The students are required to perform a triple threat of acting, singing and dancing.

“The uniquely challenging thing about “Xanadu” is that the main character is on roller skates 90 percent of the show,” Willis said. “Then the entire cast is on skates for the final number.”

Albeit a challenge, the cast of “Xanadu” is passionate and committed to the production.

“Everyone (in the cast) is obviously really busy with all sorts of things going on with school and other activities, but everybody in the cast really is motivated and they really want to work,” Sanjana Potnis, who plays Erato, the muse of lyrics and erotica, said, “Everyone really loves the show and wants it to be a success.”

Even with the setback of the date, Willis praises the cast’s work and skills.

“This is a very talented and fun cast. They work very hard and achieve great strides from rehearsal to rehearsal,” Willis said. “The rehearsals are very productive because of the work ethic of the cast.”

“Xanadu,” a parody of the movie by the same name, is the story of Danny Malone, a struggling artist, who falls in love with a muse from Mount Olympus, Clio, who is disguised as a mortal, Kira.

“(The audience can expect) a great time,” Willis said. “The show is a satire of the movie and is very clever and funny. The music is awesome. There is not much that is deep or serious about the show. It will be just under two hours of a fabulous ride.”

The new dates of the performances are unconfirmed, but Willis and Shannon have plans to move the performances to the first week of May.