Sonny Malone is a street artist whose latest mural depicts the muses of Ancient Greece. Unbeknownst to Sonny, the nine sisters come magically to life. Despite Sonny’s somewhat disappointing career, he dreams of starting a magnificent roller disco: the zenith of blissed-out softrock and dazzling hedonism. [Can you draw me a map?] Clio, the youngest of The Muses, takes pity and appears to him in the guise of a mortal, named Kira.
Blinded by jealousy and animosity, Clio’s oldest sisters: Calliope and Melpomene, plot her failure by casting a love spell between she and Sonny. Love between gods and mortals is strictly forbidden, and soon, Clio will fall out of favor with Zeus. Meanwhile our intrepid lovers have found the perfect building for Sonny’s roller-tastic project, and come a-knockin on Real Estate Mogul: Danny Maguire’s office door. He may look avuncular, but cynicism has won the wrestling match for Danny’s soul.
An adaptation of the notorious film and collaboration between Douglas Carter Beane (Book) and Jeff Lynne and John Farrar (Music and Lyrics) it’s safe to say that Xanadu is something of an anomaly. A mashup of throwaway wit, tongue-in-cheek farce, broad camp, schlock, lugubrious technopop, and shameless Frankensteining, it positively shouldn’t work. But it does. When Xanadu isn’t winking at you, it nudges you in the ribs. When it isn’t nudging you in the ribs, it draws you a picture. Tipping your hand this way is nearly always the wrong impulse, when you’re doing stage comedy. But maybe because the content is so unabashedly preposterous, this unorthodox approach gives Xanadu that extra jolt. It’s one of those miracles of theatre chemistry that tips the scales from the cerebral to the visceral. We’re not so much amused as mercilessly tickled. The humor just happens. The cast and crew give us permission to be silly and enjoy the excursion.
As anyone who recalls the 1980’s and disco (not me, certainly) could tell you, the genre was certainly a favorite; not to mention the sirens of that era (Donna Summer, Olivia Newton John, Thelma Houston). Two of the Muses are men, though no effort is made to hide the fact, it’s definitely funny. Certain gestures and references are thrown in here and there, but it’s a bit like Spielberg films. There are always a few jokes thrown in for grownups that are invisible to the kids. And why not? Part of the genius of Xanadu is hilarious democracy. Or democratic hilarity? We’re all just laughing for different reasons.
Director Lon Barrera bring his incomparable comedic touch to this tricky material and brash and nimble cast. It must be a challenge to navigate a show that constantly pokes fun at itself, but you couldn’t tell by Barrera’s smooth and confident production. You’ve got to listen carefully, because often the best lines are asides and regressions. Laurel Collins and Samantha Padilla have a blast chewing the scenery during their “Evil Woman” number. Haley Landers White and the Greek Gods et al are spot on when they ask Zeus the musical question: “Have you never been mellow?”
Mainstage Irving-Las Colinas presents Xanadu playing May 10th-25th, 2019.Irving Arts Center. Dupree Theater: 3333 North MacArthur Blvd, Irving, Texas 75062. 972.252.2787 www.tickets.irvingartscenter.com