My Name Is Matt, and I'm a Xanaholic

Let's clarify one thing...I'm not addicted to Xanax, I'm addicted to Xanadu!

After my fourth visit to "Xanadu" last night, I am close to renaming "Ranting Details" "The Xanadu Fanadu."  My obsession has reached critical mass and as the increasingly endless strike rages on Broadway, the time to see "Xanadu" is now!   Just about  everything else has been forced to close down for the time being so head to the Helen Hayes theater immediately.  That's an order. 

Walking down 44th Street with Marcelo in the frigid New York air, the sights of the bustling street lined with several large Broadway houses was anything but typical.  Where theater marquees usually illuminate hordes of tourists and theater fans clamoring to their seats, last night all they illuminated was an endless barrage of strikers  Armed with signs, snack stands and news media covering the different groups outside each theater, the strikers weren't enough to stop Marcelo and I from making our way to the little theater that could: the Helen Hayes. 

From the moment we stepped into the lobby, where groups of tourists fought for the few remaining tickets to the sold-out show, I could tell it was going to be a different experience than my previous visits.  The crowd seemed especially revved up, the ushers were donning explosive wigs of neon colors usually reserved for Elmer's glue, and then Cheyenne Jackson took the stage in his booty shorts. 

To call this show a frivolously good time is a severe understatement.  From the moment Jackson takes the stage with his aloof valley boy portrayal of an artist in search of inspiration, it gets me belly laughing like Santa with a few scotch's in him.  After four visits to the show, I'm amazed that it still elicits genuine laughter from me for almost every moment.

Kerry Butler leads the cast as the goddess Clio, forced to take on an Australian accent, don leg warmers and change her name to Kira to help poor Sonny find artistic inspiration.  Somehow I've managed to see Butler in everything she's done, and she's never been better.  Paired with the god-like Jackson, whose voices seems to grow stronger and capable of hitting higher notes (perhaps the booty shorts are squeezing things just a little too tightly) with each time I see the show, I'm more than willing to put up with the very occasional lags in the proceedings.

(A blurry crowd of strikers.)

Belting their way through a pop-rock score that is bound to have you clapping along and dancing in your seat by the end,  each member of the ensemble is a comic star in their own right.  Part of what I've enjoyed so much about my repeat visits to the show is that their interactions with the audience (some of which are seated on stage) are so spontaneous.  They are incredibly endearing as they make their way through the fantastically cheesy, and wonderfully musical choreography.  Half of them aren't dancers but it just adds to the comic joy that the show creates.

It's a testament to the cast, which is one of my favorite ensemble to ever rock the Broadway stage, that they are capable of keeping it fresh for themselves and the audience.  They were obviously thriving off of the extra energy last night- stretching out their hilariously hideous Australian accents or putting an extra jolt in their battements.  Jackie Hoffman and Mary Testa, who steal the show with their rendition of "Evil Woman," were ad-libbing up a storm.  At one point Hoffman stopped a line to run over to one of the audience members seated onstage, (who had been slouching the entire show) shake him and ask him "What is wrong?  Can you sit up already?! Jeez." 

Even though there are the momentary lags in the show(heightened last night by Tony Robert's absence in the role played by Gene Kelly in the movie) I still think this is the most fun I've  ever had at the theater.  When Clio/Kira makes her case for the "human experience made capable through art," I can't help but  be thankful for this show.  Sondheim it's not, but a comedy this tight and superb doesn't come around too often.  Who says good art needs to be serious?  At this point in my life, I'm more than happy to just have a great time.  I even managed to convert Marcelo to a Fanadu.  How many days until I can get my next fix of this disco magic?! 

Comments

[jolene]

It sounds like a great night of theater! Kerry Butler - haven't been a huge fan, but willing to give her a chance. Jackie Hoffman is a riot! Xanadu has "wonderfully musical choreography"?? I've gotta see that! I'm waiting for Mark Morris to choreograph for Broadway next. :)

I'm thinking of visiting NY in a few weeks, but afraid the strike will go til then (do you think??). But then I realized a lot of the shows I want to see aren't striking anyways (Pygmalion, all of Lincoln Center incl NYCB and Cymbeline, Xanadu).

[M]

Hey Jolene. I cannot even imagine the insanity that will overtake the tourist crowd if the strike stretches into the holiday season (as if it hasn't already.)

When I say that it's "wonderfully musical" choreography, don't go in expecting Mark Morris. It's the cheesiest choreography ever but it works PERFECTLY for the show. The fact that it's largely on non-dancers makes it all the more enjoyable. It's lots of 80's inspired/over dramatic fun. Can you tell I love the show :-)

I'm also partial because my friend DJ is the assistan choreographer....;-)

[jennifer]

The Xanadu fans have the best nicknames, I swear... "Fanadu"... "'Du Crew"....muuuuch better than "Rent-head", "Les Mizzies", don't u think?

I also thought "Q-tip" was cute for Avenue Q fans, although it doesn't make much sense.

[jolene]

The strike is going on until Nov 25!!?! I can't believe it, how much longer can it go??

http://www.livebroadway.com/

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