Zionsville resident Grace Ruddell will be appearing in the lead role of Kira in Footlite Musicals Production of “Xanadu – the Musical.”
“This is my first production with Footlite, and I am really excited,” Ruddell said. “I spend about 95 percent of the show on roller skates so that is an added challenge. I have been practicing by skating around Zionsville!”
Ruddell, a junior at Zionsville High School, has appeared in local community theatre productions of “13,” “Hairspray,” “The Sound of Music,” as well as “White Christmas” and “Legally Blonde” at ZCHS.
In 2011, Ruddell was crowned the first Miss Fall Festival’s Outstanding Teen at the Zionsville Lion’s Club Fall Festival. She then went on to represent Zionsville at the Miss Indiana’s Outstanding Teen Pageant.
“Xanadu – the Musical” follows the journey of a magical and beautiful Greek muse, Kira, who descends from the heavens of Mt. Olympus to Venice Beach, Calif., in 1980 on a quest to inspire a struggling artist, Sonny, to achieve the greatest artistic creation of all time – the first roller disco!
But, when Kira falls into forbidden love with the mortal Sonny, her jealous sisters take advantage of the situation and chaos abounds. This roller-skating musical is based on the cult classic movie of the same title, which starred Olivia Newton-John and Gene Kelly.
Directed by Ed Trout, this Young Artists Production will feature performers ranging in age from 13 to 18.
“It is a fun and silly musical that basically pokes fun at the movie – perfect for families and people of all ages,” Ruddell said
“Xanadu – the Musical” will be performed Aug. 9 through 11 and 15 through 18 at the Hedbeck Theatre at 1847 N. Alabama St. in Indianapolis. For tickets and more information call 926-6630 or visit www.footlite.org.