Xanadu First Preview- Page 3

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 5/24/07 at 1:01am

The actors really only used half the stage...the rest was taken up by the many on-stage seats, the band, and the backup singers. There were four sections of on-stage seats and in between, there were ramps, which cast members were able to roller skate up and down. At one point there was a huge disco ball too, and at the end there were like 20 disco balls hanging and spinning, which looked pretty cool with the lighting. Also, there was this huge mirror, slanted, so you could see the drawings of the muses on the stage floor. The mirror was used well actually. Other than that, a few pillars in the background, but not too much of a set. I did enjoy Butler's costume...much better than Newton John's in the movie.
Updated On: 5/24/07 at 01:01 AM

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 5/24/07 at 1:03am

I think I have to see this just for the disco balls. Doesn't get much campier than a disco ball.

Updated On: 5/24/07 at 01:03 AM

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 5/24/07 at 1:03am

Any partial Nudity?

[theatreguy]

Posted: 5/24/07 at 1:07am

Actually, there was student rush tonight, but they only gave out 8 tickets (I know because my friends got 2 of them).

[BroomstickBoy]

Posted: 5/24/07 at 1:15am

I wouldn't mind seeing Curtis Holbrook partially nude.


in the show of course.


hopefully the muse outfits are hot and campy. Usually as far as camp goes (Kylie Minogue concerts anyone?), it should be interesting.


anyone else go that [will post a freakin' review &] doesn't need a drink before making everyone wait to see a review which is probably followed by criticism from every bitter theatre queen left and right?

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 5/24/07 at 1:39am

Sorry. I got sidetracked. I'll put something together now.

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 5/24/07 at 1:42am

I've seen Curtis partially
he's fine
Munkie was smokin a bowl
We will wait....

[BroomstickBoy]

Posted: 5/24/07 at 1:53am

Damn you Curtain!

I'm jealous. where was this?

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 5/24/07 at 2:05am

Let me preface my comments with this disclaimer: I love camp. High camp, low camp, MOMMIE DEAREST, EVIL DEAD, and yes, even XANADU (the film).

The problem with the stage version of XANADU is that it tries too hard to be bad. Don't worry - it succeeds brilliantly at being bad - but not in the right way. I was looking forward to a funny, light, campy evening of theatre. What I got was a 90-minute, migraine inducing piece of theatrical garbage.

Is the problem the execution of the show? Or is the original idea the problem? I have no clue. It's such a damn mess that no sense can be made out of anything.

And no, I'm not talking characters, plot, score, book, and direction. With something like XANADU, almost all of those things go right out the window - camp is a different beast entirely. But when you sell your show as a mockery of a cult classic, the audience will expect something...well...funny.

Oh, sure - "Wow, Kerry Butler's breathy inflection sounds just like Olivia Newton-John! Let me laugh REALLY loud for LONG periods of time." There were lots of unnecessary laughter and applause spots tonight, being that the house was clearly riddled with friends, family, and hardcore XANADU fanatics. The first 3 minutes of XANADU are fun - promising, even. But after that, the jig is up. The only thing that kept me in my seat was (a), the hope that the show would get better and (b), the lack of an intermission.

There is not one redeeming quality about this production. I'm sorry folks, but there's not. Oh, wait. Uh...the band sounds pretty good and...uh...Curtis Holbrook has perfect thighs?

XANADU is a sad excuse for theatre. I get what they tried to do, but it fails miserably. At $111.25 a ticket, they should be absolutely ashamed of themselves. This show belongs, if anywhere, at New World Stages where it could continue to bask in the mediocrity that is bad theatre.

Kerry Butler is an able, if charmless Kira. Girlfriend needs to eat a hamburger, or something. But seriously, criticizing and deconstructing the performances is absolutely impossible to do. None of them are good, but that's the point. So do we say they're good to show that they're bad?

It's a show that constantly reminds it's audience, "See how much we're trying to be God awful! WINK WINK!" It doens't work. It's tiresome. I can say "This show is awful," then someone could say "Well it's supposed to be." And you're right - it is supposed to be awful. But there are different degrees of bad. MOMMIE DEAREST bad, when it's so bad it's hysterical. Then there's just GIGLI bad. So bad that you contemplate suicide on the spot. Not to make light of suicide, but XANADU is more assuredly the latter.

The always reliable Mary Testa, Jackie Hoffman, and Tony Roberts are utterly useless here. Hoffman gets the most "laughs" out of the bunch, but it's due to her old tricks - not anything new or fresh, and certainly not due to the material. The casting of Tony Roberts will remain a mystery to me. He's a terrific actor and singer, but he must REALLY want a paycheck to be devoting his time to this garbage. Unfortunately, none of the 3 made the experience salvagable for me. Their material is awful, their direction is awful.

James Carpinello, Kerry Butler, and the rest of the supporting cast all fall into the same boat as Testa, Hoffman, and Roberts: talented, able, but awful material.

It's very difficult to "critique" a show like XANADU that, as I said, puts itself out there to be bad.

And if I wasn't so tired and so ready to never think about this show again, this review would be more concise, to the point, and helpful.

But alas, all I can say is that this show is a NIGHTMARE. It's one of the absolute worst things I have ever seen. I know you're all probably curious about it now, but heed my advice.

I'm sure I'll think of more things tomorow. I'm just pooped.

[neddyfrank2]

Posted: 5/24/07 at 2:24am

What makes me mad is that Christopher Ashley is the new Artisitc Director of the La Jolla Playhouse. Ehh!

Who were the 'evil' muses?

[Craig]

Posted: 5/24/07 at 2:25am

Neddy.. WHY does that make you mad? Because Munk didn't like Xanadu?

The evil muses, as mentioned in the video and press releases, are Jackie and Mary.

p.s. What do I win for guessing Munk's opinion before he posted it? :)

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 5/24/07 at 2:27am

I will not be the only person with this opinion. The show is THAT bad.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 5/24/07 at 2:30am

Craig - You are going to have to on some level let go and let people poop on Xanadu. Just as Munk may have had early bias to trash the show - you yourself have admitted to having bias for defending it...

I think Munk defends his criticism of the piece extremely aptly. We'll certainly here more in the coming days about whether everyone else agrees or not with his critique...

[neddyfrank2]

Posted: 5/24/07 at 2:32am

Because up until now I have not been a fan of Christopher Ashleys work (the only two I saw were Rocky Horror Picture Show and All Shook Up) and now that I have heard that his latest work, is not good- I am really mad. After having Des who I love as the Artistic Director, this is going to be a real let down, esspecially compared to who was rumored to replace Des.
Updated On: 5/24/07 at 02:32 AM

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 5/24/07 at 2:34am

Craig, what is your attachment to XANADU?

Michael: I am actually XANADU's goal audience. It's right up my ally. So, contrary to what you said, I'm actually predisposed to liking the show. I was heavily anticipating it, and was very excited about seeing it. It just doesn't work.

[Craig]

Posted: 5/24/07 at 2:36am

MB -

Oh. I can let go.. trust me - to each their own. My comments were more about the fact that I knew that Munk wouldn't take to the show. I do love the hyperbole in his review. Especially that it's the very first public performance. Not that shows can or have done complete 180s..


This will actually be the first show in a LONG time I've seen early in previews. I typically wait until the show is frozen and the production has had time to work the kinks out.

I'm the same way with technology typically. While I love the great gadgets, I typically wait until version 2, or until the patches/fixes are released.

As I said - different strokes for different folks. That's what makes a chat board.

I do think that to say ANY production though, no matter how bad, has at least ONE thing redeeming about it.

[BwayUSAGal]

Posted: 5/24/07 at 2:39am

Munk where were you sitting tonight?

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 5/24/07 at 2:40am

You knew I wouldn't take to the show?

How? Because deep down, you know it sucks?

Or might it be because of my indefinite appreciation for camp? LOVE, LOVE, LOVE camp. So it's not my taste that's in question here.

But still, I don't understand your connection with XANADU.

And I already said that XANADU has 2 redeeming qualities: the band and Curtis' body.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 5/24/07 at 2:41am

2nd row, right side (stage left), aisle.

[Craig]

Posted: 5/24/07 at 2:43am

Munk - after 3 years of reading your reviews, what you like, what you don't and other posts - I made an educated guess whether or not you'd like it.

I haven't seen it yet, other than the press preview which was hardly an indication of a final product.

[neddyfrank2]

Posted: 5/24/07 at 2:50am

How is Kerry Butlers accent in the show?
Updated On: 5/24/07 at 02:50 AM

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 5/24/07 at 2:51am

I don't know why you're defending this show so much. Do you know someone in the cast? Are you involved?

You're acting rather cold towards me on here, and you rampantly defended the show last night on All That Chat.

I mean, come on.

[BSoBW2]

Posted: 5/24/07 at 2:54am

"Do you know someone in the cast?"

Yes, he does. Thanks for your review, Munk.

Let each man have his own opinion, huh?

[neddyfrank2]

Posted: 5/24/07 at 2:55am

Well Craig has been talking about this show for a while (including giving us information on the Set etc.) so I would assume that he knows somebody involved.
Updated On: 5/24/07 at 02:55 AM

[Craig]

Posted: 5/24/07 at 2:57am

Actually Munk, regardless of whether I know someone in the cast of this show, or any show wouldn't stop me from posting what I did on ATC or here if someone goes to an invited dress and trash talks a show. No need for me to repeat my post from over there, I just found it rude and pre-mature.

I've defended many shows regardless of cast or creative and whether or not I have seen or not seen the show on the simple basis that the first performance isn't neccessarily the "one" to judge definitively by. I am not discounting your opinion or anyone elses - we are all entitled to ours.

I'm not acting cold (it's often difficult to read tone on a message board, isn't it?).

All that being said, I don't think I am rampantly defending this show or doing it "so much". A few posts make me an advocate? I mean, come on...