This one-of-a-kind musical adventure follows the journey of Clio: Muse of History on her quest of inspiring struggling artist, Sonny Malone, to fulfill his dreams of opening the first roller disco. Set in Venice Beach, California in 1980, Clio (disguised as the Australian roller-skating Kira) and her six sister muses come to life out of Sonny’s chalk mural to begin their tasks. Through a trying yet hysterical story of jealousy, magic, pity, trickery, and true love, Kira is eventually granted the gift of Xanadu, which is to love and create art.

Xanadu was produced by Ms. Taryn Tonelli’09, coordinator of the performing arts; directed by Jodi Capeless P’22; choreographed by Kimberly Galberaith P’22; and music directed by Ed Ginter. Thank you to our scenic designer/technical director, Vincent Gunn; costume designer, Nancy Reynolds; lighting designer, Nikki Belenski; sound designer, Concert Audio Inc; and master electrician, Joey Messena. We are always blown away by our superb student crew members including co-stage managers, Marisa Arone’24 and Samantha Andersen’24, and assistant stage manager, Kristen Ohmacht’25. Thank you to associate producers from the IHA Advanced Theatre Production course, Katelyn Coughlan’23, Arianna DeMarco’23, Kaitlyn DeMartini’23, Olivia Morrison’23, April Ramsey’23, Carolyn Sandt’23, and Madeline Sullivan’24. Special thanks to the many other crew members who managed the show behind-the-scenes including front of the house, run crew, spotlights and lighting, sound, hair, makeup, and costumes—IHA’s productions simply wouldn’t be as incredible without you.

Additionally, we send huge thanks to the orchestra members that brought Xanadu’s music to life! This year’s musical production featured a large cast of young women and men that truly shined on stage. Katherine Ryan’25 was brilliant as Kira/Clio, Liam Fahey (SJR’24) played an amazing Sonny, RJ Buscher (SJR’24) was awesome as Danny, and Hayden Bernstein (WHS’24) played a great Young Danny/Cyclops. The sister muses were perfectly portrayed by the talented Maeve Murray’24 as Melpomene, Tara McCarthy’26 as Calliope, Madeline Heinimann’24 as Thalia, Kara Ignacio’23 as Euterpe, Mary Hahn’24 as Erato, and Isabella Falletta’24 as Terpsicore. The Sirens were played beautifully by Alyssa Torres’24, Shoshana Thompson’25, Ava Previzi’24, and Madeline Sullivan’24. Mia Severino’26 was Thetis/Andrews Sister, Megan McCarthy’25 was Medusa/Andrews Sister, Anthony Koleser (SJR’24) was Hermes/Zeus, Kaitlyn DeMartini’23 was Hera, and Madeline Sullivan’24 was Aphrodite. Tubes 1/Centaur was Daniel Globus (CSHS’23), Tubes 2 was Troy Greco (SJR’24), and Tubes 3 was Timothy O’Sullivan (SJR’24). Congratulations to the ensemble members on an outstanding run: Clara Byrne’s26, Madison Les’26, Catalina Martinez’26, Timothy O’Sullivan (SJR’24), Olivia Pantano’25, Lola Rose Projahn’25, Lily Rickli’26, Luke Rickli (SJR’25), Brooke Rodriguez’25, and Lucyann Tappan’25.

And finally, special thanks to the IHA administration and the many parent, faculty, staff, and student volunteers who dedicated their time and talent to make Xanadu yet another spectacular IHA musical production!

Click here for the full photo album, courtesy of Mike Hamlett Photography.