Xanadu, Anyone???

Currently on the Great White Way is 2008 Tony Award Nominee (but still LOSER) XANADU. Yes, Xanadu....like the gawd-awful movie from the 80's with Oliva Newton-John. Well, in the year or so it's been open, it has garnered a HUGE following of repeat audience members that call themselves: Fanadu's. Oy.

I've never had the desire to see this show, but many of my theater friends kept saying how much fun it was and that I should go. Well, it seems as though the on stage seating for this is not that hard to come by and they only cost $40 a seat. A bargain. (Well, by Broadway Terms.) And then fate stepped in: I had tickets to see the critcally acclaimed Passing Strange, but due to poor tix sales, that closed...about 2 weeks before we were to see it....leaving us with an open spot to see a show. THEN, it was announced that Whoopi Goldberg was stepping into one of the roles for 6 weeks. Deal closed.



Now, unlike other shows with onstage seating (Spring Awakening and the soon to open Equus), Xanadu's stage seats are "general admission". It's a first come, first served seating...so you need to get to the theater early if there are certain seats you want. There are "popcorn seats" and "hair playing" seats and seats that sit next to certain actors etc. All I wanted was to be able to see as much of the show as possible. So we got there early and were "adopted" by two aforementioned "fanadu's". Some that had NOTHING good to say about any other show. But they helped us find our way, because the theater opened up "special" doors for entrance instead of the house doors. With that insider info: we were the first ones at the special "stage seat doors". (Not that I knew there were special stage seat doors.) So, we were able to get the front row stage right seats. One of the Fanadu's sat with us. And boy was she a talker.

But the show is about a magical muse named Kira who comes to earth in 1980 (disguised in roller skates, leg warmers and an Australian accent), to inspire what the Gods call truly great work and discover the meaning of the universe's greatest secret: the gift of Xanadu. Kira meets the handsome artist Sonny, who needs her help in achieving his greatest dream. But bringing earthly dreams to life and obeying the many rules of her muse-hood at the same time, is not an easy task! (Especially while roller-skating.) It is only when Sonny teaches her the true meaning of inspiration, that the secret of Xanadu is revealed. Oh and some of her evil muse sisters try to ruin her out of jealousy The score is by Electric Light Orchestra and John Farrar, including such hits as "Xanadu," "Evil Woman," "Magic," and "Have You Never Been Mellow".

Overall, the show is....well....fun. The entire thing is tongue in cheek, making fun of the original movie and itself. You'll laugh, you'll tap your toes and you'll find yourself rooting for the good guys. But that's about it. Cheyenne Jackson (Sonny) is a delight to watch on stage. Considering the last time I saw him on stage (All Shook Up) I walked out of the B'way theater at intermission, I think that's great news. Oh...and as far as "eye candy" goes it doesn't get any better than Cheyenne -- from any view. Kerry Butler (Kira) was sweet, but I found her annoying.

Whoopi and Mary Testa (Calliope and Melpomene, the evil muses) must be treated as a unit. They are fun and caustic. In all honesty, I didn't think Whoopi brought anything special to the show, nor did she detract from it in any way. I loved Tony Roberts (Danny, Zeus)...who knew the old guy still had it in him!! But the two that stole the show, IMHO, were Curtis Holbrook (Thalia) and Andre Ward (Terpsicore). They were simply delightful and I was never more happy than when they were on stage. Humorously, they understudy the parts that Whoopi and Mary Testa play. Curtis is a favorite actor of mine anyway having seen him in Playwrights Horizon of SAVED. It is also rumored that he has been cast in the upcoming B'way revival of West Side Story.

Bottom line? I'd take my kids to see it, at the discounted tickets on stage and if my HS kids wanted it to be part of our annual pilgrimmage...I'd even encourage it: they'd have fun. Other than those two examples, I would not see it again nor would I ever care to produce it.

My Grade: B