#1
E1.2
Xanadu
Helen Hayes Theater
6/23 2 pm matinee performance.
1 hour 30 mins. Tix Price ( I paid -$49.00 thru playbill discount/total of $ 58.00
with all fees)
How would one know if someone is becoming a "fanatic' about a certain show? if youve seen the show 4X or perhaps 5X. I guess I am borderline "fanatic" already with Xanadu the musical which is still in previews but I already made 3 separate trips to NYC for the show alone. (5/27-cxld performance, 6/17-1st time & 6/23 -2nd time) But everytime I watched the show. I fell for it more.
Reference to my First Posting Regarding Xanadu last week :
https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.cfm?thread=938866#3098430
Observations:
1. Cheynne Jackson- he was fantastic, beautiful voice, he is very handsome almost beautiful. Personally I found that- him being there on stage clashed with the pretty and sweet Kerry Butler persona. There's these two beautiful creatures onstage , but I felt like as a "pair" there's no chemistry , but a conflict.(Its just my opinion ! ) The "Suddenly" number does not seem right- somehow their voices in the duet , does not blend harmoniously. Kerry Butler has an awesome voice, almost sounding like
Olivia Newton John. Cheyenne voice is incredible. I almost did not appreciate it till he sang the solo, "Dont Walk Away" & "The Fall" I think-- I prefer Cutis Holbrook's Sonny Malone (from last week) vs. Cheynne Jackson's SM (today's) I guess what I mean to say- somehow Cheynne's SM does not compensate Kerry Butle's Kira. I felt like there was a tug of war of two beauties onstage...
Though Cheynnne alone onstage is a different story- he was just great, he could just stand up there and everyone will cheer ! His voice is incredible. At least two two jokes now finally fit Cheyenne perfectly ..A) you must be the tallest boy in your class B) Aphrodite saying.. you know what they say about big hands & big feet - so hilarious! and Did I say that seeing him in those short/short is worth the price of admission. It could be me too- I was probably just pre-set to see James Carpinello (from watching BWW rehearsal video a lot ) and seeing Curtis last week
Personal note on Cheyenne Jackson - At times , I felt a bit distracted with Cheyenne
wearing his short short outfit onstage. He really got this nice legs and nice behind that I kept noticing thru the entire performance (sorry to mention that ! ) I have noticed that his short were just a "little " too tight on certain areas -which is not bad thing
that's my personal " tug of war" during the entire show yesterday.
I was wonderin' if he wore James Carpinello's shorts & t-shirt- Its a little "tight" on him-which is on my LIKE list
Minor changes on Cheyenne's Sonny Mallone
a. he was wearing a blue head band bandana.
b. his arm band is yellow & GREEN (now )
c. is it just last week's performance with Curtis
as Sonny Mallone? but when Curtis came out to
do the Xanadu Finale he was wearing a black
short short . Cheyenne only has 1 costume thru
entire show, his cutoff blue jeans and red
shirt. The finale number- he came out with
roller skate, cutoff jeans, red shirt & Xanadu
black jacket.
Minor "Boo-boo" in the Suddenly number- when the telephone booth moved towards the ontage seating (with Kira) pushing it. somehow, it was not on the right spot , so Kerry have to pushed it again, so Cheyenne could sit down and "magically" wear the roller skate.It seems to me that Cheyenne was off-cue with moving the entire telephone booth & Kerry has to make an extra effort to move it on the right spot for the trap door while singing "Suddenly". I thought it was funny ! bec. Cheyenne is so tall & seems his weight is so heavy (for Kerry) that Kerry tried so hard to position the booth all by herself.
2. I was glad to see Curtis Holbrook's tap dancing that I missed last week.
3. Changes in Curtis Holbrook's (Thalia-the muse) costume was changed
(see below for more detailed descriptions)
4. I have learned that James Carpinello might be back but not for a while bec. he has
a cast on his broken ankle or foot. (Poor James)
5. I met Dan Knechtges (chreographer ) which kinda answered some of my things I did not like about the show from last week (Some of the answers did not necesarily came from him directly but from some other members of the cast or just merely an insinuations)
a. Prologue of Sonny's mural-its really a part of the show that they were sitting people onstage and in the orchestra while Sonny Malonne is out onstage already finishing the mural...bec. they wanted the "feel" that the audience is a part of the show.. this was hinted again , when Sonny came to a darken-abandoned Theater called Xanadu and they turn off all the lights only the stage light that Sonny was using as a of some sort of "flash light"
b. "the Dancing" number was really supposed to be a little simple to balance some of the over-the top aspects of the show
c. The Xanadu finale number- after re-watching the show again. I felt like it was just done right. I mean you cannot really do a super production number, where you just had a fan blown at Kerry's hair .
Again. There were still some changes that they were doing on a daily basis which I have noticed on two separate viewings which is a week apart from one another.
I am very happy bec. the production team here were really trying to improve the show and make necessary rewrites rather that calling it quits..
6. Minor changes that I have noticed :
a. I'm Alive Number -which is basically composed of 3 parts-1-birth of the muses,
2-clio's plan -" to sport an australian accent "which is a dialogue in between..
last week after Jackie Hoffman's muse character said...Calliope ..muse of Epics
my sisters and I begun our tasks.. then the 3-"I'm Alive Finale number " came in
by singing....."I'm Alive !!! (this week- it was changed to - ) the now its Kira's
solo part - "Suddenly came a dawn, Suddenly I was born ! " its longer and more
focus on her character now.
b. "What rhymes with nantucket ? line" -that was not on earlier preview (as I
remember it.
c. "Magic Song" the over the top breathy rendition of ....'for you ! " was minimize
instead they have only this one over the top breathy rendition of Kira
and the end of the song...singing ... heavy breathy (to the point of almost
swallowing Cheyenne) 'for you !" -its so funny though!
7. I appreciate the Doug Carter Beane' book more : its very witty and funny !
He is really the star of Xanadu ! He took this horrible movie and stitched all these
stories to make this funny musical. C'mon... Tangerine going back in time to
remind Danny , the Xanadu theater now, instead of just a merely " space"
in the movie...the evil muses.... the clash of the titans spoof....is it just me? but
what is Ursula Andres nationality ? bec. Jackie Hoffman's Aphrodite is somewhat
a little like "Rosie Perez " to me- but soo funny !!!
Favorite part of the book : MAJOR SPOILERS *****
as I recalled it.. maybe not exact word for word.(CAN SOMEONE TELL ME IF THIS OKAY, OR I WILL REMOVE IT ? )- not sure ? thanks
a. Dialogue between Clio & Hermes:
Hermes- Zeus wanted to remind you that the penalty of creating Art is eternal
damnation to another world..and the penalty of loving a mortal is eternal
damnation to another world...so forth..(cant remember the entire thing)
Clio ( in hysteria ) So why does Zeus tell me these things? I have not love anyone !
nor created nothing.. I am ... why does Zeus accuse me of.......Why Hermes ?
whyyyyyyy?????
Hermes : B*tch ! I dont know your life !!!
******
b. Dialogue between Zeus & Clio ( I memorized this one bec.. I keep repeating this line over & over )
Zeus: But Clio, this is 1980... muses were in retreat..creativity shall be stagnant for decades...the Theater-- they will just take some stickaroo movie or some song writer's catalog , throw it onstage and called it a SHOW !!! ( I love this line soo much)
Lastly - I think worth mentioning... Sonny asked Kira to draw ( which is forbidden)
but finally Kira attempted to "create art". she said (in a line that really affected me)
that goes like this ....finally I did it and its there ..maybe for a short time , maybe for long time , but its there ! I always wonder how is it for mortals to create art ..
This is why I like the musical a lot--the book made me realize that creating something like ART is worth doing even if we get critism or praise , it may stay , it may get close--but its there ! I thought I'd share this...
8. Lastly- onstage seating- I think I made some comments on this last week, without not really "experiencing" it. After the show I spoke to Mr. Aquaman (guy wearing Aquaman shirt and was seated onstage ) and I asked him, if there was an obstructed view on the I'm Alive number- he told me , no' bec. they can see the mural bec. they are looking down on it (as stadium seating) besides-- these people
get to dance at the Finale number "XANADU".
***********
In Summary. The show is really a crowd pleaser. The Saturday Matinee (6/23) I think
was completely SOLD OUT ( I was sitting at Center Orchestra J ) I looked around and cant find any empty seats. There were two gay couple sitting next to my left ( who both loved Spring Awakening & Grey Gardens and looked to me as they were hard to please ) and a lady next to my right. After the show- I asked them , if they liked it. The lady told me she loved it. I was little not sure of the gay couple sitting next to me , but they were laughing thru out the show... but then again... I asked them if they like it. they told me .. They like it a lot and very happy that they saw the show. Will I see the show again ? My answer is YES and I probbably bring my friends from Boston (in a busload )
Go see the show ! the second time I saw it - I actually appreciated Douglas Carter Beane's witty book & Did I mentioned that I did not get bored ? Hopefully my 3rd time will be after they opened the show . I want to see James Carpinello and lastly I wanted to sit onstage- bec. youll get to dance at the Xanadu finale number !!!
P.S. And If your wonderin' about meeting the cast after the show. They are always very nice at the stage door (which is on your left as you exit Helen Hayes) I really need to give a special mention to Kerry Butler . I met her twice and she was always extremely nice and accomodating. When she was done today at the 2 pm matinee show , she kinda stick and look around if everyone have gotten their autographs already or picture taken with her. I even asked her ..So Kerry how's your baby ? and she replied..she's waiting for me and I got her this little baby doll (that she showed to everyone) before she left.
J*
me holding my playbill
me & Tony Roberts
The "always nice & dependable" Kerry Butler making sure that everone gets their autographed (even at 2 pm Saturday Matinee ! )
Kerry Butler smiling for the camera
Kerry signing autographs at 6/23 2 pm matinee
UNFORTUNATELY - I was not able to get a picture of Cheyenne bec. he was held back doing dance rehearsall with Dan K.. I only waited till 4pm. It's probbably your turn (meaning : YOU ) to go see the show and take his picture for us here.
**********
Thanks so much for taking the time & patience
NEXT : Jaystarr 10/10 on "The Color Purple" with Fantasia.
Posted: 6/23/07 at 11:39pm
E1.2
Xanadu
Helen Hayes Theater
6/23 2 pm matinee performance.
1 hour 30 mins. Tix Price ( I paid -$49.00 thru playbill discount/total of $ 58.00
with all fees)
How would one know if someone is becoming a "fanatic' about a certain show? if youve seen the show 4X or perhaps 5X. I guess I am borderline "fanatic" already with Xanadu the musical which is still in previews but I already made 3 separate trips to NYC for the show alone. (5/27-cxld performance, 6/17-1st time & 6/23 -2nd time) But everytime I watched the show. I fell for it more.
Reference to my First Posting Regarding Xanadu last week :
https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.cfm?thread=938866#3098430
Observations:
1. Cheynne Jackson- he was fantastic, beautiful voice, he is very handsome almost beautiful. Personally I found that- him being there on stage clashed with the pretty and sweet Kerry Butler persona. There's these two beautiful creatures onstage , but I felt like as a "pair" there's no chemistry , but a conflict.(Its just my opinion ! ) The "Suddenly" number does not seem right- somehow their voices in the duet , does not blend harmoniously. Kerry Butler has an awesome voice, almost sounding like
Olivia Newton John. Cheyenne voice is incredible. I almost did not appreciate it till he sang the solo, "Dont Walk Away" & "The Fall" I think-- I prefer Cutis Holbrook's Sonny Malone (from last week) vs. Cheynne Jackson's SM (today's) I guess what I mean to say- somehow Cheynne's SM does not compensate Kerry Butle's Kira. I felt like there was a tug of war of two beauties onstage...
Though Cheynnne alone onstage is a different story- he was just great, he could just stand up there and everyone will cheer ! His voice is incredible. At least two two jokes now finally fit Cheyenne perfectly ..A) you must be the tallest boy in your class B) Aphrodite saying.. you know what they say about big hands & big feet - so hilarious! and Did I say that seeing him in those short/short is worth the price of admission. It could be me too- I was probably just pre-set to see James Carpinello (from watching BWW rehearsal video a lot ) and seeing Curtis last week
Personal note on Cheyenne Jackson - At times , I felt a bit distracted with Cheyenne
wearing his short short outfit onstage. He really got this nice legs and nice behind that I kept noticing thru the entire performance (sorry to mention that ! ) I have noticed that his short were just a "little " too tight on certain areas -which is not bad thing
that's my personal " tug of war" during the entire show yesterday. I was wonderin' if he wore James Carpinello's shorts & t-shirt- Its a little "tight" on him-which is on my LIKE list
Minor changes on Cheyenne's Sonny Mallone
a. he was wearing a blue head band bandana.
b. his arm band is yellow & GREEN (now )
c. is it just last week's performance with Curtis
as Sonny Mallone? but when Curtis came out to
do the Xanadu Finale he was wearing a black
short short . Cheyenne only has 1 costume thru
entire show, his cutoff blue jeans and red
shirt. The finale number- he came out with
roller skate, cutoff jeans, red shirt & Xanadu
black jacket.
Minor "Boo-boo" in the Suddenly number- when the telephone booth moved towards the ontage seating (with Kira) pushing it. somehow, it was not on the right spot , so Kerry have to pushed it again, so Cheyenne could sit down and "magically" wear the roller skate.It seems to me that Cheyenne was off-cue with moving the entire telephone booth & Kerry has to make an extra effort to move it on the right spot for the trap door while singing "Suddenly". I thought it was funny ! bec. Cheyenne is so tall & seems his weight is so heavy (for Kerry) that Kerry tried so hard to position the booth all by herself.
2. I was glad to see Curtis Holbrook's tap dancing that I missed last week.
3. Changes in Curtis Holbrook's (Thalia-the muse) costume was changed
(see below for more detailed descriptions)
4. I have learned that James Carpinello might be back but not for a while bec. he has
a cast on his broken ankle or foot. (Poor James)
5. I met Dan Knechtges (chreographer ) which kinda answered some of my things I did not like about the show from last week (Some of the answers did not necesarily came from him directly but from some other members of the cast or just merely an insinuations)
a. Prologue of Sonny's mural-its really a part of the show that they were sitting people onstage and in the orchestra while Sonny Malonne is out onstage already finishing the mural...bec. they wanted the "feel" that the audience is a part of the show.. this was hinted again , when Sonny came to a darken-abandoned Theater called Xanadu and they turn off all the lights only the stage light that Sonny was using as a of some sort of "flash light"
b. "the Dancing" number was really supposed to be a little simple to balance some of the over-the top aspects of the show
c. The Xanadu finale number- after re-watching the show again. I felt like it was just done right. I mean you cannot really do a super production number, where you just had a fan blown at Kerry's hair .
Again. There were still some changes that they were doing on a daily basis which I have noticed on two separate viewings which is a week apart from one another.
I am very happy bec. the production team here were really trying to improve the show and make necessary rewrites rather that calling it quits..
6. Minor changes that I have noticed :
a. I'm Alive Number -which is basically composed of 3 parts-1-birth of the muses,
2-clio's plan -" to sport an australian accent "which is a dialogue in between..
last week after Jackie Hoffman's muse character said...Calliope ..muse of Epics
my sisters and I begun our tasks.. then the 3-"I'm Alive Finale number " came in
by singing....."I'm Alive !!! (this week- it was changed to - ) the now its Kira's
solo part - "Suddenly came a dawn, Suddenly I was born ! " its longer and more
focus on her character now.
b. "What rhymes with nantucket ? line" -that was not on earlier preview (as I
remember it.
c. "Magic Song" the over the top breathy rendition of ....'for you ! " was minimize
instead they have only this one over the top breathy rendition of Kira
and the end of the song...singing ... heavy breathy (to the point of almost
swallowing Cheyenne) 'for you !" -its so funny though!
7. I appreciate the Doug Carter Beane' book more : its very witty and funny !
He is really the star of Xanadu ! He took this horrible movie and stitched all these
stories to make this funny musical. C'mon... Tangerine going back in time to
remind Danny , the Xanadu theater now, instead of just a merely " space"
in the movie...the evil muses.... the clash of the titans spoof....is it just me? but
what is Ursula Andres nationality ? bec. Jackie Hoffman's Aphrodite is somewhat
a little like "Rosie Perez " to me- but soo funny !!!
Favorite part of the book : MAJOR SPOILERS *****
as I recalled it.. maybe not exact word for word.(CAN SOMEONE TELL ME IF THIS OKAY, OR I WILL REMOVE IT ? )- not sure ? thanks
a. Dialogue between Clio & Hermes:
Hermes- Zeus wanted to remind you that the penalty of creating Art is eternal
damnation to another world..and the penalty of loving a mortal is eternal
damnation to another world...so forth..(cant remember the entire thing)
Clio ( in hysteria ) So why does Zeus tell me these things? I have not love anyone !
nor created nothing.. I am ... why does Zeus accuse me of.......Why Hermes ?
whyyyyyyy?????
Hermes : B*tch ! I dont know your life !!!
******
b. Dialogue between Zeus & Clio ( I memorized this one bec.. I keep repeating this line over & over )
Zeus: But Clio, this is 1980... muses were in retreat..creativity shall be stagnant for decades...the Theater-- they will just take some stickaroo movie or some song writer's catalog , throw it onstage and called it a SHOW !!! ( I love this line soo much)
Lastly - I think worth mentioning... Sonny asked Kira to draw ( which is forbidden)
but finally Kira attempted to "create art". she said (in a line that really affected me)
that goes like this ....finally I did it and its there ..maybe for a short time , maybe for long time , but its there ! I always wonder how is it for mortals to create art ..
This is why I like the musical a lot--the book made me realize that creating something like ART is worth doing even if we get critism or praise , it may stay , it may get close--but its there ! I thought I'd share this...
8. Lastly- onstage seating- I think I made some comments on this last week, without not really "experiencing" it. After the show I spoke to Mr. Aquaman (guy wearing Aquaman shirt and was seated onstage ) and I asked him, if there was an obstructed view on the I'm Alive number- he told me , no' bec. they can see the mural bec. they are looking down on it (as stadium seating) besides-- these people
get to dance at the Finale number "XANADU".
***********
In Summary. The show is really a crowd pleaser. The Saturday Matinee (6/23) I think
was completely SOLD OUT ( I was sitting at Center Orchestra J ) I looked around and cant find any empty seats. There were two gay couple sitting next to my left ( who both loved Spring Awakening & Grey Gardens and looked to me as they were hard to please ) and a lady next to my right. After the show- I asked them , if they liked it. The lady told me she loved it. I was little not sure of the gay couple sitting next to me , but they were laughing thru out the show... but then again... I asked them if they like it. they told me .. They like it a lot and very happy that they saw the show. Will I see the show again ? My answer is YES and I probbably bring my friends from Boston (in a busload )
Go see the show ! the second time I saw it - I actually appreciated Douglas Carter Beane's witty book & Did I mentioned that I did not get bored ? Hopefully my 3rd time will be after they opened the show . I want to see James Carpinello and lastly I wanted to sit onstage- bec. youll get to dance at the Xanadu finale number !!!
P.S. And If your wonderin' about meeting the cast after the show. They are always very nice at the stage door (which is on your left as you exit Helen Hayes) I really need to give a special mention to Kerry Butler . I met her twice and she was always extremely nice and accomodating. When she was done today at the 2 pm matinee show , she kinda stick and look around if everyone have gotten their autographs already or picture taken with her. I even asked her ..So Kerry how's your baby ? and she replied..she's waiting for me and I got her this little baby doll (that she showed to everyone) before she left.
J*
me holding my playbill
me & Tony Roberts
The "always nice & dependable" Kerry Butler making sure that everone gets their autographed (even at 2 pm Saturday Matinee ! )
Kerry Butler smiling for the camera
Kerry signing autographs at 6/23 2 pm matinee
UNFORTUNATELY - I was not able to get a picture of Cheyenne bec. he was held back doing dance rehearsall with Dan K.. I only waited till 4pm. It's probbably your turn (meaning : YOU ) to go see the show and take his picture for us here.
**********
Thanks so much for taking the time & patience
NEXT : Jaystarr 10/10 on "The Color Purple" with Fantasia.
Updated On: 5/14/08 at 11:39 PM
