With a handful of audience members sitting onstage adding to the ambience of the simple set, a small band which included a synth-keyboard (that was played to perfection), a cast of performers taking on two to four characters, 80s pop references that make your head spin, a lead with long flowing blonde locks that is not afraid to use them, a pair of tiny cut off denim shorts worn by the male lead, and way too many awkward battements, fan-kicks, arabesques, and “Toyota” jumps (all the official dance moves of the 80s) to count paired with a good sense of humor and an imagination really leaves me with no room to write anything ill about Xanadu The Musical now at OCPAC Dec. 15-27th.
I just want you to close your eyes and imagine all things previously listed. Yes, it is that ridiculous and yes it is that amazing. Sadly I neglected to mention the roller-skating and the plethora of accents that are so bad they are endearing. So, if you couldn’t get a clear picture of the surprise hit musical, now you can.
This clear picture you have made for yourself is still probably not as great as the experience you will have watching this show. Xanadu is not a big show stopping musical, it’s an experience that breaks the fourth wall in the first few seconds and continues to keep you smiling and tapping your toes the whole intermission-less show.
As a big fan of the cinematic genius of the 80s, including the blockbuster film Xanadu, for which the much better musical was loosely based on, it is so easy to fall in love with the portrayal of the character Clio or later renamed Kira performed by Elizabeth Stanley. Stanley’s loveable muse character that becomes the object of the vacuous Sonny’s affection, excellently played by Max Von Essen, goes through 3 accents, a pair of roller skates, and so much drama you are reminded of the not so subtleties of the 80s onscreen heroine.
The small cast takes on each of their roles with so much energy and vigor you are drawn to each of them. Luckily each of the hard working cast has a few characters so that you can keep your eye on the same dynamic performers throughout the show.
This is the only time the national tour of Xanadu is performing in Southern California so make sure you don’t let this great show whirl right past you.
The wonderful performers in Xanadu The Musical can be seen at the Orange County Performing Arts Center’s Segerstrom Hall December 15-27, 2009 with show times Tuesday-Friday at 7:30PM, Saturdays at 2 and 7:30PM, and Sundays at 1 and 6:30PM. Tickets start at $20. Check out www.ocpac.org for additional information and call 714.556.2787 for more information as well.
Photos taken by Carol Rosegg
