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A Lively “Xanadu” at the West End
of Glades Road
By Skip Sheffield
“Xanadu” was a movie so bad it inspired the creation of the Golden
Raspberry Awards, or “Razzies” in 1981.
The story, set in Venice
Beach , California
There were two things
in the film’s favor: a soundtrack by Electric Light Orchestra’s Jeff Lynne and
a final film appearance by the great Gene Kelly as failed musician-turned construction
magnate Danny Maguire.
So it was with the lowest of expectations I braved the rain
to drive all the way to the end of Glades Road to see Blow Burn Theatre’s
production of the musical “Xanadu,” continuing through July 1 at West Boca
Raton High School.
By golly, surprise! “Xanadu” was a campy, hilarious delight, much more enjoyable than the movie that inspired it.
Playwright Douglas Carter Beane wisely jettisoned most of
the story and re-wrote it with a wink and a nod to Hollywood , gay humor, and musical theater conventions.
The main thing Beane kept was the initial premise of a Greek
goddess, Clio, who springs to life out of a chalk mural in Venice Beach
Clio, who is also called Kira, is played by a powerhouse,
outsized talent named Lindsey Forgery. For her impersonation of Olivia
Newton-John, Lindsey wears pink legwarmers, a platinum blond wig and affects an
exaggerated Australian accent.
Rick Pena has a fine tenor voice and naïve appeal as Sonny,
a mortal who falls into forbidden love with immortal goddess Clio/Kira. The
role of Danny Maguire (and a couple others) is played by versatile Larry
Buzzeo.
Clio/Kira has a Greek chorus of eight sister muses, two of
them played by guys in tutus. Conor Walton and Jerel Brown make a good sight
gag, and Walton is one heck of a good tap-dancer.
Two of the muses are wicked and want to see Clio/Kira
banished from Mount
Olympus
Director/Choreographer Patrick Fitzwater has wisely staged
the show in a single 90-minute act, which gives one no time to ponder the
absurdities of the show.
The vocal harmonies are strong and there is a spritely
onstage four-piece band to propel ELO’s great songs, augmented by additional
numbers by John Farrar.
Have you never been mellow? This show brings new meaning to
that once-sappy song.
Shows are 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday.
Tickets are $20 students, $30 seniors and $35 adults. Call 866-811-4111.
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