Milwaukee, Wis. (December 12, 2023) – Prepare to be blown away by a roller disco extravaganza as Skylight Music Theatre presents the electrifying musical Xanadu, running from January 26 to February 11, 2024. Based on the fan-favorite film starring Olivia Newton-John, this energetic production will transport you to the vibrant era of the 1980s, where roller skates, shoulder pads, legwarmers, and big hair ruled the day.
Xanadu tells the story of Sonny, an aspiring artist who dreams of creating the greatest artistic roller disco on Earth. With the help of Kira, a mysterious woman who may or may not be a Greek muse, Sonny embarks on a journey of self-discovery and artistic fulfillment.
This production of Xanadu is packed with catchy tunes by pop-rock legends Jeff Lynne of Electric Light Orchestra and John Farrar, including “Xanadu,” “I’m Alive,” and “Have You Never Been Mellow?” as well as other songs originally performed by Electric Light Orchestra and Olivia Newton-John in the film’s double-platinum soundtrack. You’ll be singing along and dancing in the aisles as our talented cast brings this iconic musical to life.
The cast of Xanadu is filled with amazing local talent, including Kaitlin Feely as Kira, making her Skylight Music Theatre debut, and Wisconsin native Mitchell Gray. These talented performers will bring their passion and energy to the stage, creating a truly unforgettable experience for audiences of all ages.
Skylight boasts a talented local team bringing this iconic show to life. Beloved Wisconsin actor Doug Clemons, who has graced numerous Milwaukee stages including Skylight, makes his directorial debut. Stephanie Staszak, fresh off her critically acclaimed role as Rosalie Mullins in School of Rock, takes the reins as choreographer. And music director David Bonofiglio, a veteran of Skylight and other local theaters, brings the show's infectious pop-rock score to life.
“We are thrilled to bring Xanadu to vibrant, colorful life on our stage,” said Michael Unger, Artistic Director for Skylight Music Theatre. “This upbeat, zany and uplifting musical will have you laughing, dancing, and singing along from start to finish.”
So, get ready to lace up your skates and join us for a roller disco adventure that will leave you feeling exhilarated and inspired. Xanadu is the perfect way to escape the winter blues and celebrate the power of dreams and imagination.
Tickets for Xanadu are on sale now. Visit www.skylightmusictheatre.org or call the box office at (414) 291-7800 to reserve your seats today.
Xanadu
January 26 – February 11, 2024
Book by Douglas Carter Beane
Music and Lyrics by Jeff Lynne & John Farrar
Based on the Universal Pictures film
Screenplay by Richard Danus & Marc Rubel
Xanadu Cast
Kira (Clio)….................................................................Kaitlin Feely
Sonny Malone …...................................................... Mitchell Gray
Danny Maguire …....................................................... Rick Richter
Melpomene….............................................................. Molly Rhode*
Calliope …........................................................ Rhonda Rae Busch
Euterpe.…...................................................... Samantha Sostarich
Erato….......................................................... Rachel Bednarowksi
Terpsicore …..................................................... D Eric Woolweber
Thalia ….......................................................... Rai (Rashad) Hudson
Xanadu Creative Team
Director …..........................................................................................Doug Clemons
Choreographer …......................................................................... Stephanie Staszak
Music Director …............................................................................. David Bonofiglio
Original Scenic Designer …..................................................................... Shane Cinal
Lighting Designer …................................................................... G. “Max” Maxin IV
Costume Designer ….......................................................................... Jason Orlenko**
Sound Designer …................................................................................ Steve Tonar
Properties Designer ….......................................... Patrick McGuire & Simone Tegge
Production Stage Manager …............................................................ Louis Crocco*
Resident Assistant Stage Manager …....................................... Jordan Ilyssa Angelo
*Appearing through an agreement between Skylight Music Theatre and Actors' Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.
**Member of United Scenic Artists 829
Biographies
Rachel Bednarowski (Erato) is ecstatic to be making her Skylight debut! Rachel holds a BFA in Musical Theatre and minors in Dance Performance and Music from UW-Milwaukee. She currently teaches and directs with Shallece Saleen Studios. Rachel’s favorite credits include Rosie in Mamma Mia at GCT, Charlotte in Cinderella, and Betty Jean in The Marvelous Wonderettes with Appleton East Players. Thanks to her family, friends, mentors, and especially Gavin for all the unending love and support.
Rhonda Rae Busch (Calliope) is excited to be back at the Skylight where her credits include Martha in White Christmas, Madame Thernardier in Les Miserables, Widow Paroo in The Music Man, and Jack’s mother in Into the Woods. Favorites elsewhere are Mavis in Church Basement Ladies at the Marcus Center, Eulalie Mackecknie Shin in The Music Man, Ida Straus in Titanic the Musical, Stepmother in Cinderella at The Fireside, and Miss Hannigan in Annie at the Capital Theatre.
Kaitlin Feely (Kira/Clio) is absolutely thrilled to be making her debut with Skylight Music Theatre! Her most recent credits include Ilona in She Loves Me at Citadel Theatre, Colleen/Woman in White in Ripcord at Oil Lamp Theater, and Holly in The Wedding Singer at Surging Films & Theatrics. Kaitlin has a BFA in Music Theatre and a minor in Mathematics from Illinois Wesleyan University. Many thanks to her wonderful cast, team, and exceptional parents.
Mitchell Gray (Sonny Malone) is a New York -based actor, originally from Portage, WI, and PUMPED to be making his Skylight debut with Xanadu! Past credits include Hoffman in Bat Out of Hell at Paris Theatre - Las Vegas Strip, Roger in Rent at Milton Theatre, Sky in Mamma Mia! at The Palace Theatre. He would like to thank his incredible mom, family, and friends for all of the love and supporting the dream. Instagram: @stitchy_gray.
Rashard (Rai) Hudson (Thalia) American Idol star Rai Hudson is recognized as an edgy, androgynous, and eccentric musician. He is a recording artist, songwriter, and producer of music for television and film with Warner Chappell/MidCoast Music, as well as working on a variety of solo projects. Additionally, he performs as a drag performer and co-producer for several shows in Wisconsin including the Vaudeville Vixens Burlesque Show and Caba-Rai.
Molly Rhode (Melpomene) is proud to join friends back at Skylight for this wild ride. She's been onstage here as Ulla in THE PRODUCERS, Sally Bowles in CABARET, as well as PUMP BOYS AND DINETTES, CHICAGO, HELLO, DOLLY! and others. As a director at Skylight, Molly staged and choreographed NEWSIES (with David Roman), ANNIE, LES MISERABLES, and SOUND OF MUSIC. Molly enjoys making a career in theaters across Wisconsin. She is the Associate Artistic Director of Northern Sky Theater in Door County, WI. See her there this summer in the new musical GIRLS ON SAND.
Rick Richter (Danny Maguire) is very happy to be working once again at Skylight on such an energized show with an extremely talented cast and crew! His previous roles here have been: Colonel Pickering in My Fair Lady and Professor Marvel/Wizard in The Wizard of Oz. Some of his other favorite roles in the area were: Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof, King Arthur in Camelot, and Scrooge in A Christmas Carol. Follow Rick at www.rick-richter.com
Samantha Sostarich [she/her] (Euterpe/Melpomene & Calliope U.S./Dance Captain) is thrilled to be back at Skylight Music Theatre after appearing as Paquette and The Governor in Candide. National Tour: Emojiland the Musical. Regional: The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Rona Lisa Peretti), Hairspray (Velma Von Tussle), Annie (Lily St. Regis), Spamalot (Lady of the Lake), Matilda (Mrs. Wormwood), Fortuna the Timebender vs. The School Girls of Doom (Fortuna), Boeing Boeing (Gretchen), The Taming (Katherine), and Who’s Holiday! (Cindy Lou). samanthasostarich.com
![Samatha Sostarich [she/her] (Euterpe/Melpomone & Calliope U.S./Dance Captain)](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/4dcfe6_7624c90b9b174a8a94f0f992777d1e86~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_147,h_221,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/4dcfe6_7624c90b9b174a8a94f0f992777d1e86~mv2.jpg)
D Eric Woolweber (Terpsicore) A native of SE Wisconsin, D Eric has performed in the Chicago area with Bailiwick Arts Center, Theo Ubique Cabaret Theater, Theater at the Center and Light Opera Works; in Branson with Dolly Parton’s Stampede, Silver Dollar City and the Clay Cooper Theater; in the Milwaukee/Madison area with MKE Rep, First Stage, Forward Theater Co and now, his Skylight Music Theatre debut! 143 Mum and Gale.
Doug Clemons (Director) Honored to be directing this dream show at Skylight, Doug’s been a proud sassy n’ brassy Wisconsin theatremaker at Northern Sky Theater, First Stage, Milwaukee Opera Theatre, The Florentine Opera, Fireside Theater, Forward Theater, Children’s Theatre of Madison, Third Avenue PlayWorks and Purse String Productions. Regional/concert credits: NY Musical Theater Festival, NYC’s Cherry Lane Theater, Chicago Musical Theater Festival, Utah Light Opera, Racine Symphony Orchestra, Norwegian Cruise Line and backup for Michael Bublé. Love and thanks to Matt (Doug’s muse and source of joy). DougClemons.com
Stephanie Staszak (Choreographer) is ecstatic to be making her Skylight debut as a choreographer in what will be her fifteenth Cabot stage production! An extra hint of sentiment is felt working alongside Doug, who was in her first production at Skylight, Hair. Stephanie has won three Tommy Awards for her choreography. As a performer, she was very recently seen on this stage as Rosalie Mullins in School of Rock and will be in an upcoming Milwaukee production of Tony n’ Tina’s Wedding.
David Bonofiglio (Music Director) holds a BFA in piano performance from Cardinal Stritch University. Selected credits as musical director: Evita, Mamma Mia!, The Full Monty, Little Shop of Horrors, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Oklahoma!, and Urinetown for Skylight Music Theatre; Little by Little, Scrooge in Rouge, A Cudahy Caroler Christmas, and Jesus Christ Superstar for In Tandem Theatre; Sunday in the Park with George for Windfall Theatre. As assistant musical director: A Christmas Carol for Milwaukee Repertory Theatre.
Shane Cinal (Original Scenic Designer) is ecstatic to be here at Xanadu with all of you. He has a strong background in new and conceptual works for theatre; with his work being featured in the national Ukrainian Museum and recently designing the US Emerging Artists exhibit for Prague Quadrennial. Network television credit includes Peacock's Pokerface and FX’s The Bear. Shane holds a dual BA in Theatre and History from Indiana University-Bloomington and an MFA in Scenic Design from The Ohio State University. www.shanecinal.com
Jason Orlenko (Costumer Designer) *United Scenic Artists, Local USA-829. Previously for Skylight: Noises Off, Mamma Mia, Newsies, Kiss Me Kate, Sweeney Todd, The Snow Dragon, and Hydrogen Jukebox. A Milwaukee -based designer, his work has been seen at the Milwaukee Rep, Next Act, Renaissance Theaterworks, Utah Festival Opera, First Stage, Forward Theatre, Rep of St. Louis, Milwaukee Chamber, Milwaukee Opera Theatre, In Tandem Theatre, Cardinal Stage. Other credits include the Hangar Theatre, Illinois Shakespeare Festival, the Florentine Opera, and American Players Theatre. Jason currently resides in Milwaukee with his husband Brick, where he is Assistant Professor of Costume Design at UW-Milwaukee. www.jasonorlenko.com
G. "Max" Maxim IV [he/him] (Lighting Designer) Over 250 designs on over 150 professional/educational productions. AWARDS: Lou Award “Lighting”, Into the Woods (Big Noise); Non-Equity Jeff Award Best Musical “Lighting/Projection Design”, Big Fish (BoHo); 1 Jeff Nomination & 5 Non-Equity Jeff Nominations. FAVORITE DESIGN PROJECTS @ Kokandy, American Blues, Cincinnati Shakespeare, Mercury, Theatre at the Center, BoHo, Black Button Eyes, Steppenwolf Garage, Northwestern, & DePaul. Teaching Artist/Lighting Designer, CCPA Theatre Conservatory, Roosevelt University. Instructor NEIU 2016-2022 (Instructor Excellence Award, 2019). www.ivMaxin.com
Steve Tonar (Sound Designer) is excited to be back designing at Skylight Music Theatre. He was last heard designing sound for Skylight's School of Rock and seen designing lights for Skylight’s production of Raisin. Past favorite sound credits at Skylight include Ernest Shackleton Loves Me and School of Rock. Steve is a freelance lighting and sound designer and photographer based in Milwaukee, as well as Technical Director at Greenfield High School. For Rexxy, Beary, Cleo, and Jordan.
Patrick McGuire [he/they/any] (Properties/Mythical Creature Designer) Recent credits include: The SpongeBob Musical (Kokandy Productions), Addams Family, Xanadu, A Christmas Carol, Cabaret (Metropolis PAC), Junior Claus, The Christians (Citadel Theatre). Patrick has done freelance work for companies including, Florentine Opera, Milwaukee Chamber Theatre, Music Theater Works, and Gallaudet University, as well as design/fabrication work in puppetry, historical millinery, props, and costume crafts. MA (theatre directing), CCPA at Roosevelt University; MM, Boston University; BME, Illinois State. www.patrickmcguirearts.com
Michael Unger (Artistic Director) For Skylight, Michael has directed Dennis DeYoung’s The Hunchback of Notre Dame (nine BroadwayWorld Awards – including Best Director and Best Musical), School of Rock, Noises Off, Little Shop of Horrors, A Jolly Holiday: Celebrating Disney’s Broadway Hits, as well as Me, Myself and I for Skylight’s Education program. Amongst many virtual offerings, he directed Skylight’s Broadway World Award-winning Being Earnest, now available worldwide online. He was previously the Associate Artistic Director of Off-Broadway’s York Theatre; credits there included You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown and Big. For nine years, he was the Producing Artistic Director of NewArts, started with a local father in response to the Sandy Hook Elementary School tragedy; directing 17 productions working with over 650 area-children. Other selected directing credits include A Christmas Carol (McCarter Theatre for 18 years), Two Point Oh (NY Times Critics’ Pick), Time Stands Still (Cape Cod Chronicle Best 2015), My Sister in This House (Deaf West, Ovation Recommended), and new versions of The Happy Time and The Rink. World premieres include The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Caligula, and A ROCKIN’ Midsummer Night’s Dream (featured in the award-winning documentary film “Midsummer in Newtown”). He has directed 14 operas plus benefit concerts honoring Susan Stroman, André DeShields, Maltby and Shire, and Leslie Uggams, as well as for the communities of Sandy Hook, CT and Parkland, FL.
Susan Varela (Executive Director) Originally from Milwaukee and a graduate of UW-Stevens Point, her professional career as a performer has taken her from the Broadway stage (Les Misérables) to the Skylight stage (Les Misérables, Into the Woods, Wizard of Oz, Sweeney Todd). She has performed at the Denver Center Theatre (Tony Award-winning season) and the Yale Repertory Theatre, among others. She has produced, directed, performed and written for the stage and television alongside her husband, actor Andrew Varela. Susan was previously the Director of Artistic Operations for Skylight.
About Skylight Music Theatre
Skylight Music Theatre is a professional theatre company that produces high-quality musical productions that entertain, educate, and inspire. We are committed to providing a platform for local talent and showcasing the best of Broadway and beyond.
Founded in 1959, Skylight is Milwaukee’s professional Equity music theatre company and the state's largest employer of Wisconsin actors. Skylight produces the full range of music theatre from blockbuster Broadway musicals to reimagined operas, and from exciting world premieres to contemporary off-Broadway hits. Skylight’s mainstage home is the Cabot Theatre in the Broadway Theatre Center, which was built by Skylight in Milwaukee’s Historic Third Ward in 1992. Considered to be one of Milwaukee’s most beautiful theatres, the Cabot Theatre is based on the design of an 18th-century French opera house. With just 350 seats it offers audiences great views of the action onstage and an undeniable connection with the performers. Skylight Music Theatre marks its 64th season in 2023-2024. Skylight Music Theatre is a proud Cornerstone Member of the United Performing Arts Fund.