![\"Luke](\"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Xanadu-PR-2-cropped4.jpg\")
<\/a>Although the 1980 film was not as critically successful as the singer’s screen debut two years earlier in “Grease,” the soundtrack included two No. 1 hits \u2013 \u201cMagic\u201d for Newton-John in the United States and \u201cXanadu\u201d for ELO in the United Kingdom \u2013 and was revived with additional ELO hits in the stage musical that opened on Broadway in 2007.<\/p>\n
On Broadway, \u201cXanadu\u201d won the Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Musical and the Drama Desk Award for Best Book, while also gaining four Tony Award nominations. And the original cast recording of the show reached No. 2 on the Billboard charts in January 2008.<\/p>\n
Music from Broadway and Hollywood films has long influenced the public\u2019s listening preferences, from Judy Garland\u2019s \u201cOver the Rainbow\u201d in \u201cThe Wizard of Oz\u201d in 1939 to the soundtrack of the film version of \u201cLes Miserables\u201d \u2013 presented by CRT earlier this season — which reached the top of the Billboard 200 in 2013.<\/p>\n
The stage musical \u201cXanadu\u201d is set in 1980s Venice Beach, Calif., where a muse named Clio is disguised as a mortal to inspire Sonny Malone, a chalk artist and beach boy. Clio faces the wrath of her father, Zeus, and the jealousy of her sisters, Melpomene and Calliope, while struggling to fit in as a mortal as she and Danny try to open a roller disco with mirror balls.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe classic pop songs from the 1970s and 80s guarantee an entertaining alchemy for a magical summer night,\u201d says Vincent Cardinal, artistic director of the CRT production, which opens July 9. \u201cThis is a hilarious story brought to life by a company of talented veteran artists, mid-career professionals, and recent graduates from top-flight theater programs around the nation.\u201d<\/p>\n Amandina Altomare plays the lead role of Clio\/Kira. She previously appeared on the CRT stage as Louise in \u201cGypsy\u201d Judy in \u201cA Chorus Line\u201d and Philia in \u201cA Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum.\u201d Altomare is a member of the USO Show Troupe that travels the world providing entertainment for veterans and active military.<\/p>\n Luke Hamilton, who plays Sonny, is returning to CRT after previously playing Don in \u201cA Chorus Line\u201d and Tulsa in \u201cGypsy.\u201d His other recent credits include Curly in \u201cOklahoma!,\u201d Homer in \u201cFloyd Collins,\u201d Kodaly in \u201cShe Loves Me,\u201d and Harry\/Martin in \u201cCloud 9.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/a>