Xanadu | School Play 2024

Fintona Girls’ School presents

XANADU

Based on the Universal Pictures Film Screenplay by

Licensed exclusively by Music Theatre International (Australasia). All performance materials supplied by Hal Leonard Australia.

Book by Douglas Carter Beane Music and Lyrics by Jeff Lynne & John Farrar

Richard Danus & Marc Rubel

“Xanadu,” “All Over the World,” “The Fall,” “I’m Alive,” “Evil Woman,” “Don’t Walk Away” and “Strange Magic” written by Jeff Lynne, published by EMI Blackwood Music Inc.

“Magic,” “Suddenly,” “Dancin’,” “Suspended in Time,” “Whenever You’re Away From Me,” “Fool” and “Have You Never Been Mellow” written by John Farrar, published by John Farrar Music.

DIRECTOR’S NOTE

Well, here we are. Fintona’s first musical production in a very long time!

I think from almost the moment I started in 2021, students have been asking me when we will stage a musical. For 2024 the timing just felt right. We have assembled an incredible team of teacher-artists who, from the beginning, have worked tirelessly to bring Xanadu to our school community in only ten weeks. Musicals are endeavours of enormous complexity but working with John Batterham, Andrea Mina, Lochlan Erard, Tanya Bail, Elliot Strand, Tony Keeble and Paige Thompson to lead this show has been immensely enjoyable right from the start. I would like to thank them all for being wonderful collaborators and examples for our students.

Our students! How lucky we are to be part of a community of such dedicated, kind and creative learners. The cast and musicians have embraced the challenge of Xanadu, most of them performing in their first musical, with gusto. They have spent many hours grappling with choreography, harmonies, blocking and all three together and done so with great good humour and encouragement for one another. It has been a pleasure to go on this journey with them and see each one achieve such personal and collaborative success. I am proud of them all.

Creatively, directing and designing Xanadu has involved drawing influence from Olivia Newton-John herself, the undeniably bad 1980 Xanadu film and Ancient Greek mythology. Every week, it has been so much fun to see the cast members bring their characters to life in this magical, Californian-Ancient Greek, roller skating world.

Finally, I would also like to acknowledge the support for this project from our principal, Ms Rachael Falloon and the Heads of Schools, Mrs Justine Hamilton and Ms Claire Allen. Their enthusiasm for Xanadu has been unfailing and for that I am extremely grateful.

Thank you to everyone for coming to see our talented Fintonians in this fantastic show.

Bronwyn Bye Drama Learning Leader Director/Designer/Producer

When the opportunity to be MD for Xanadu became a reality, the realisation of how grand a task this would be kicked in. I have only ever performed as a pit musician, so performing on my secondary instrument, spending hours creating the sounds for the keyboard 2 part and directing the band at the same time, seemed a somewhat overwhelming prospect.

I needn’t have been worried as the musical talent we have here at Fintona is astonishing. The fact that the band can involve students as young as Year 7 is a credit to their musical prowess. The students involved have a deep, ingrained love for music, as demonstrated by their commitment to the music program. The students involved only began rehearsals in late February, with just band rehearsals taking place before running through with the cast – a testament to their extraordinarily high level of musicianship. Watching the way they have risen to the challenge of performing a professional grade musical has been the highlight of my year so far.

It would also be amiss not to mention the valuable contribution of my colleague, Ben Christensen, who has supported in the rehearsal process and is playing as a member of the band. Thank you to the families of all students involved for your commitment to the process and for encouraging your daughter to be involved in a musical that is as amazing as the title suggests.

Elliot Strand Music Learning Leader Band Director

VOCAL DIRECTOR’S NOTE

When I first heard the name Xanadu, my mind (like that of many) leapt immediately to images of Olivia Newton-John, lycra and roller skates! It has been wonderful to discover that while the musical has much in common with the 1980 film, there is far more to this show than meets the eye.

From a musical perspective the score of Xanadu is a smorgasbord of differing styles. Composer Jeff Lynne has sampled many key styles of the 20th Century; from the vintage harmonies of the Andrews Sisters and the gospel and soul styling of songs like Evil Woman and Strange Magic, to the energetic disco and rock styles of the 1980s.

Vocally, this show presents many challenges. Each musical styles requires a different approach and energy, and the ensemble numbers have required a large amount of re-arranging to make the complicated harmony lines fit together. This fabulous group of students have risen to the challenge with confidence; working hard in the rehearsal room and at home to perfect their parts, lock in harmonies and memorise words. The amazing on-stage band of students and staff has brought the music to life.

It has been an immense pleasure to help the singers in their journey from rehearsal room to stage, and to watch them gain confidence and belief in themselves along the way. I feel incredibly grateful to have had the opportunity to collaborate with such a dedicated creative team to bring this show to the stage and that after 23 years teaching voice at Fintona we are producing our first Senior School Musical!

Tanya Bail Vocal Director

This Tony Award-nominated, hilarious, roller skating, musical adventure about following your dreams despite the limitations others set for you, rolls along to the original hit score composed by pop-rock legends, Jeff Lynne and John Farrar. Based on the Universal Pictures cult classic movie of the same title, which starred Olivia Newton-John and Gene Kelly, Xanadu is hilarity on wheels for adults, children and anyone who has ever wanted to feel inspired.

Xanadu follows the journey of a magical and beautiful Greek muse, Kira, who descends from the heavens of Mount Olympus to Venice Beach, California in 1980 on a quest to inspire a struggling artist, Sonny, to achieve the greatest artistic creation of all time – the first ROLLER DISCO! (Hey, it’s 1980!) But, when Kira falls into forbidden love with the mortal Sonny, her jealous sisters take advantage of the situation, and chaos abounds. Xanadu is a moving, electrifying tale of endless fun. You’ll want to keep the music in your head and Xanadu in your heart... forever.

https://www.mtishows.com.au/xanadu

PROGRAMME SONG LIST

1. I’m alive

2. Magic

3. Evil woman

4. Suddenly

5. Whenever you’re away from me

6. Dancin’

7. Strange magic

8. All over the world

9. Don’t walk away

10. Fool

11. The Fall

12. Suspended in time

13. Have you never been mellow?

14. Xanadu

Kira and Muses

Kira, Muses and Ensemble

Melpomene, Calliope and Sirens

Kira and Sonny

Danny and Kira

Andrews’ Sisters, Danny, Sonny and Ensemble

Melpomene, Calliope, Polyhymnia, Urania, Sonny and Kira

Sonny, Danny, Kira, Muses and Ensemble

Sonny, Muses and Ensemble

Kira and Muses

Sonny, Muses and Ensemble

Sonny and Kira

Hera, Thetis, Aphrodite, Athena, Demeter, Eros, Hermes, Artemis and Kira

Kira, Goddesses, Sonny, Muses and Ensemble

15. Bows Ensemble

XANADU

Alex

Aurelia Angeline

Angela Amelia Amelie

Alessia Aahana

Amy

Adrija

Bridget Caterina

Fintona Girls’ School

Emma

Kalyani

Jos

Demi

Charlene

Georgia

Diya

Julie Katara

Catherine Charlotte M Charlotte C

Emily

Evelyn

Helene

Lulu

Ruby

Nia

Oneli

Sammi

Scarlett

Shirley

Sarah

Natalie

Vivian

Vicky

Tara

Riya

Sophie

Madeleine Mallika

Sienna

Fintona Girls’ School

Zoe S

Christelle Lan Linh

Zoe N

Kira/Clio

Sonny Malone

Melpomene

Calliope

Danny Maguire

Amelia G

Jos K

Diya Z

Sophie Z

Sienna T

Thalia Aahana P

Euterpe

Erato

Terpiscore

Urania

Polyhymnia

Zeus

Sammi D

Kalyani S

Helene Z

Alex R

Demi A

Aurelia T

Thetis Zoe N

Aphrodite

Hera

Hermes

Athena

Demeter

Artemis

Eros

Pegasus

ANDREWS SISTERS:

Patty

Maxene

Laverne

SIRENS:

Thelxiepeia

Peisinoe

Molpe

Aglaope

FEATURED DANCERS/ ENSEMBLE

ENSEMBLE

ROLLERSKATERS

Alessia M

Julie G

Oneli H

Angeline Z

Vicky H

Emily C

Shirley L

Scarlett E

Charlene C

Charlotte C

Madeleine W

Amelie A

Ruby H

Georgia N

Evelyn Z

Katara H, Emma H, Nia J, Tara L, Caterina L, Alessia M, Charlotte M, Bridget S, Zoe S, Amy Z

Adrija D, Riya G, Mallika J, Catherine L, Vivian L, Natalie L, Angela L, Lulu L, Sarah W

Amelie A, Emily C, Charlene C, Scarlett E, Katara H, Ruby H, Caterina L, Lulu L, Charlotte M, Zoe S, Evelyn Z

Fintona Girls’ School

PRODUCTION

Director / Producer / Designer

Bronwyn Bye

Vocal Director

Tanya Bail

Band Director

Elliot Strand

Production Administrator

John Batterham

Production Assistant

Paige Thompson

Dramaturg

Andrea Mina

Choreographers

Tony Keeble, Lochlan Erard, Paige Thompson

Tap Choreographer

Justine Hamilton

Stage Managers

Zoe C, Saria R

Assistant Stage Managers

Claire L, Clare Z

BAND

Drums

Linh D

Guitar

Lan D

Keyboard 1

Christelle K

Keyboard 2 and MD

Elliot Strand

Guitar

Ben Christensen

Sound & Lighting Installation and Operation

Daniel Bowen (Clear Systems)

Sound Operation

Sally C, Maayra O

Set Construction

Brett Bates, Jack Harvey, Luke Gaynor

Set Decoration

Paige Thompson, Alex R, Demi A, Sienna T, Diya Z, Adrija D, Amelie A, Saria R, Amelia G

Photography

Hamish Appleby Photography

Front of House Management

John Batterham

Ushers

Maheen A, Matilda H, Sophie L, Hana L, Mila T, Olivia T, Ghaanavy Y

Marketing and Communications

Zoe Alexiades