NOC’s ‘Xanadu’ opens March 4

The Northern Oklahoma College Division of Fine Arts is presenting “Xanadu” March 4-7.

The performances, directed by NOC Musical Theatre Instructor Chad Anderson, are in the Kinzer Performing Arts Center at NOC Tonkawa.     Showtime is 7:30 p.m. Thursday – Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday.

The production is based on a book by Douglas Carter Beane, the music and lyrics are by Jeff Lynne and John Farra.  The production is based on the Universal Pictures Film Screenplay by Richard Danus and Marc Rubel.

Director Chad Anderson said, “The 1980 fantasy film Xanadu performed underwhelmingly at the box office but eventually became a cult classic, equally loved and lampooned by the masses. Electric Light Orchestra front man Jeff Lynne wished not to be associated with the film after seeing the final product, despite having written several of its songs which became hits. When Lynne was approached in the early 2000s for permission to use other ELO songs in the planned stage version, he was skeptical (as were many others), but he agreed.  The 2007 stage version of Xanadu added several other ELO hits, tweaked the story, poked fun at itself, and went on to great success, earning several Tony, Outer Critics Circle, and Drama Desk nominations/awards.”

Seating is limited as NOC is practicing social distancing, face masks are required.

Admission is free, children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult.

The event is also available via live stream at http://www.noc.edu/noc-events-streaming.

Northern Oklahoma College, the state’s first public community college, is a multi-campus, land-grant institution that provides high quality, accessible, and affordable educational opportunities and services which create life-changing experiences and develop students as effective learners and leaders within their communities in a connected, ever changing world.

NOC, a public two-year community college, serves 5,700 students on the home campus in Tonkawa, branch in Enid, NOC/OSU Gateway Program in Stillwater, online, and the University Center in Ponca City. Of these students about 60% receive financial aid and/or scholarships.  Over 80% of NOC students complete their degree with zero debt.

NOC is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and offers associate degrees in three general areas: Arts, Science and Applied Science.  The associate degree fulfills lower-division course work which is applicable towards a bachelor’s degree.

Call (580) 628-6200 for more information about Northern Oklahoma College or visit www.noc.edu .