The disco ball is ready to sparkle and roller skating practice is in full swing as Northampton Community College’s Theatre Department gets ready to open the regional premiere of the 1980s-inspired musical “Xanadu,” April 21 - 24, Lipkin Theatre, Bethlehem Township campus.

The show, described as “a hilarious, roller-skating, musical adventure about following your dreams,” features pop and rock songs from the 1970s and 1980s.

The musical, which was on Broadway in 2007, is based on the 1980 movie of the same title, which starred Olivia Newton-John, Michael Beck and Gene Kelly (in his final film role). There are songs by Newton-John, Electric Light Orchestra, Cliff Richard and The Tubes.

The story combines Greek mythology with a 1980s aesthetic. A roller-skating Greek muse comes down from Mount Olympus to inspire a struggling artist to open a roller disco.

The roller disco in the film is named after Xanadu, the summer capital of Kublai Khan’s Yuan Dynasty in China. The city appears in “Kubla Khan” by Samuel Taylor Coleridge, an 1816 poem that is quoted in the film and the musical.

The movie, “Xanadu,” was a box office disappointment, received negative reviews and was one of the inspirations for the creation of the Golden Raspberry Awards to recognize the worst films of the year.

Despite the film’s poor performance, the soundtrack album became a huge commercial success driven by hits like Newton-John’s “Magic;” Electric Light Orchestra’s “I’m Alive,” “Don’t Walk Away” and “All Over the World,” and the title track by Newton-John and Electric Light Orchestra. The film ultimately became a cult classic.

The musical includes the hits from the film and new arrangements by Eric Stern of “I’m Alive,” “Magic,” “Suddenly” and “Dancin”; two additional Electric Light Orchestra songs, “Strange Magic” and “Evil Woman,” and “Have You Never Been Mellow,” written by Newton-John’s producer John Farrar.

Accompanying the singers is the NCC production’s Music Director and keyboardist Lucille Kincaid; Michael Marini, keyboard; Chad Miller, guitar; Tom Pepitone, bass, and Jim Arrizza, percussion.

“The music is fun and leaves a lot of room for vocal creativity as the muses’ characters use their voices to create their individual sound,” Kincaid says.

“For me, the best part of the process is working with this dedicated cast,” Kincaid adds.

Kincaid joins director Bill Mutimer, choreographer Tina Williams and technical director Brett Oliveira on the NCC creative team.

Kait Stein plays Greek muse Clio. Stein is a 2013 graduate of DeSales University, receiving a Bachelor of Arts in Theater. She played Anna in NCC’s “Spring Awakening.”

NCC student Joshua Crowley plays artist Sonny Malone. Crowley was also in “Spring Awakening.”

NCC senior Justin Abarca plays the dual roles of real estate developer Danny Maguire and Zeus.

East Stroudsburg Area School District special education teacher Barbara Wetherhold plays Hera.

The cast includes Amelia Illingworth, Trish Steele, August Gaumer, Noel Cruz, Deja Breitfeller, Max Wetherhold, Katelyn Morgan, Samantha Prentice, Connor Sternberg, Cade Kocher, Cassidy Bordonaro and Alex Kleinschmidt.

The NCC campus is face-mask-optional. Theater-goers may choose to wear face masks.

“Xanadu,” 7:30 p.m. April 21 - 23; 2 p.m. April 24, Lipkin Theatre, Northampton Community College, 3835 Green Pond Road, Bethlehem. Tickets: www.ncctix.org ; 484-484-3412

“Curtain Rises” is a column about the theater, stage shows, the actors in them and the directors and artists who make them happen. To request coverage, email: Paul Willistein, Focus editor, pwillistein@tnonline.com