University of Southern Indiana Theatre continues its 2025-26 season with the mainstage opener Xanadu, written by Douglas Beane and directed by Joshua Robinson, Assistant Professor of Musical Theatre. Performances will run Thursday through Sunday, November 20-23 at the USI Performance Center.
USI Theatre is proud to partner with The Actor’s Equity Association to bring in professional partners to work side by side with USI students on this production. The show will feature Jon Froehlich, a professional actor, as Danny, and Maggie Kayes, a professional stage manager, will return to work with USI Theatre.
With music and lyrics by Jeff Lynne and John Farrar and based on the massive flop film from 1980, Xanadu follows the journey of a Greek muse whose mission is to inspire the artist Sonny Malone to invent the apex of all artistic endeavors, a roller-skating disco! Antics and hijinks ensue in this madcap spoof of the original Razzie-award winning movie, featuring songs from the original soundtrack and hits from Olivia Newton-John and Electric Light Orchestra. The show is an all-out spectacle that promises to transport the audience back to the decade of decadence.
Joining Robinson on the production team are Brynne Stephens, Assistant Director and Senior USI Theatre student; Tom Drury, Advanced Instructor in Music and Musical Director; Kaitlyn Mayse, Choreographer; and Emma Marshall, Associate Choreographer and junior USI theatre student. Performing alongside professionals will be USI seniors Ethan Hoover, LillyBea Ireland and Rayn Miller; juniors Morgan Ray and Eric Meyer; and sophomores Kris Carlos, Amy’a Dallas and Reagan Foray.
Tickets are $2 for USI students, $10 for USI employees, $4 for non-USI students (student ID required), $10 seniors (60+) and $12 for adults. Tickets are free to USI students with ID one hour before each performance begins based on availability. Shows start at 7 p.m. Thursday, November 20 through Saturday, November 22 and 2 p.m. on Sunday, November 23 for the matinee.
