STORY AND PHOTOS BY KAREN BOSSICK

When a Greek muse descends from Mount Olympus to Venice Beach, Calif., and falls in love with a mere mortal, you get the world’s first Roller Disco, a bunch of laughs and some legendary chart-topping tunes that will take you back to the 1980s.

It is, of course, “Xanadu,” a stage musical based on the cult classic movie that starred Olivia Newton-John and Gene Kelly and won a Tony Award when it hit Broadway.

The Wood River Drama Department will present “Xanadu Jr.” Wednesday through Saturday at the Wood River High School Performing Arts Theater in Hailey.

The roller-skating Greek muse Kira, played by Eva Hatzenbuehler, right, falls in love with the mortal Sonny played by Andrea Pettinger.

The show starts at 6 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, March 12-13; at 7 p.m. Friday, March 14, and at 1 p.m. Saturday, March 15. Tickets at the door are $8 for adults, $5 for senior citizens high school students and veterans and $3 for middle school and elementary students.

Drama Head Karl Nordstrom said he had students in the Advanced Drama class watch the film version, which came out in 1980, at the end of the 2023-24 school year and they not only loved it but bonded over it.

“I grew up watching it and listening to Olivia-Newton John, and I was a huge fan of the Electric Light Orchestra, which wrote the songs. It has a nice story in that the muses come alive and help Sonny start the Roller Disco, even though they’re not supposed to help mortals or fall in love with them. So, when Kira falls in love with Sonny, she’s faced with a dilemma in which she might lose her status as a goddess. Ultimately, Zeus makes the final decision,” he said.

Eva Hatzenbuehler, who plays the muse Kira, says she couldn’t help but fall in love with “Xanadu.”

Bella Diana Gomez and Koko Smith play Melpomene and Calliope, the jealous scheming sisters who try to foil Kira.

“It was like a big part of the ‘80s back when the big thing was Olivia Newton-John. It’s so bubbly and colorful and so much fun,” she said.

“I find the play very energetic,” said Andrea Pettinger, who plays Sonny Malone. “The 80s had a fun vibe. And I can relate to Sonny in that he often beats himself up. But Kira teaches him to believe in himself. He learns he can be something, have others believe in him. I’m excited for people to come out and watch it. We’ve worked hard and it’s going to be great.”

Nox Trujillo, who plans to study theater at Northwest Nazarene University in Nampa, said that this is the first play many of the middle school kids have acted in. “I see the progress they’re making. As for me, it’s an amazing way to finish off my high school drama career.”

Diana Gomez, who plays Melpomene, said she loves the opportunity to step out of reality.

Bella Paucar and Andrea Pettinger are among the cast, which features four Middle School students.

“I get to meet so many people in theater. One of my favorite actors is Gene Kelly—he stars in the movie. And I’m in love with the song I get to sing—‘Evil Woman.’ ”

The cast includes Eva Hatzenbuehler, Andrea Pittinger, Axel Collins, Nox Trujillo, Jay Shields, Sophie Gomez, Lydia McCauley, Ali LaChance, Diana Gomez, Koko Smith, Sadie Driscoll, Bromin Feldstein, Soleil St. Onge, Lili Archibald, Bella Paucar, Elise Jacobs and Farryn Loosli.

Light Board operator is Trevor Ward and production crew is Scout Kendall and Alexia Parris.  The Pegasus artist who created the posters is Seneca Vanden Heuvel

Assistant directors are Jessi Mayne, Hilarie Neely, Robyn Fox, Annabelle Lewis, Cathy Reinheimer and Christine Leslie 

The musical features book by Douglas Carter Beane and music and lyrics by Jeff Lynne and John Farrar.