Xanadu First Preview — Page 3

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

Any partial Nudity?

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?

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

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.

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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? :)

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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...

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.

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Munk where were you sitting tonight?

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

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How is Kerry Butlers accent in the show?

Updated On: 5/24/07 at 02:50 AM

"Do you know someone in the cast?"

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

Let each man have his own opinion, huh?

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...

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