By Debbie Ditton
I attended opening night of the USU Theatre Arts Department’s production of Xanadu, playing in the Morgan Theatre, with absolutely no preconceived notions. I had not seen the movie version starring Olivia Newton-John and I had only read a very brief synopsis of the plot. Being a teenager in the 80’s, I knew I would recognize most of the music and understand the cultural references, but I was not prepared for this quirky, fun and energetic production, written by Jeff Lynne and John Farrar (music and lyrics) and Douglas Carter Bean (libretto), and brought alive on the Morgan Theatre stage by director Jason Spelbring and choreographer Stephanie R. White.
Based on the Universal Pictures Film (screenplay by Richard Danus and Marc Rubel), Xanadu tells the story of the beautiful Greek muse Clio (Rachael Hodge), who decides to descend from Mount Olympus and help young Los Angeles artist Sonny Malone (Scotty Fletcher) rediscover his artistic mojo. After donning a pair of roller skates and leg warmers as a disguise and adopting an Australian accent, she sets out to help Sonny achieve his dreams. Her sister muses, played by four women (Stacey Shorthill, Abigail Smith, Anne-Marie Kate, Hanna Speer) and two men (Bryson LaBar and Blake Stephen Brundy) both help and hinder Clio – who calls herself Kira – during her foray into the human realm. Needless to say, you will need to see the show to find out just what kind of trouble and hilarity ensue.
Fletcher puts the audience at ease from his first line. His portrayal of Sonny is honest and heartwarming. His voice is rich and his comic timing is superb. He plays well off the other characters and keeps the show grounded. Spelbring’s casting of Hodge as Clio is inspired. Her singing voice (coached by Michael Shipley) is perfectly suited to her demanding vocal role and she sings in almost every number. Her characterization of Clio/Kira remains consistent throughout, showing her strong acting chops, and her physical comedy is delightful. I did have a hard time understanding her Australian dialect at times, but both her other accents are clear and precise. Hodge is also an excellent dancer and her tap number with Danny (Mitch Shira) and Young Danny (Brundy), entitled “Whenever You’re Away From Me”, is one of the highlights of the show. In fact, White’s choreography is impressive throughout. She excels in showcasing the talents of her cast members, and despite the similarity in style of many of the songs, the choreography remains fresh. The ensemble also performs the numbers cleanly and enthusiastically, including the numbers on roller skates.
The supporting cast and ensemble is strong, with standout singing by Shorthill (she rocks “Evil Woman”), precision dancing by Brundy, and excellent comedic timing by Smith and LaBar. Shira, who also plays Zeus, is a veteran of the USU stage and has a maturity that greatly adds to the overall feel of the show. There were a few times when the backup singing was not quite in tune (I am sure the harmonies will tighten up during the run), but the entire cast was enjoying themselves and completely committed to their roles. Spelbring is an out of the box director and there are many smart and clever moments in the show. Watch for the telephone booth, Hermes and Pegasus – my favorites. The audience responded enthusiastically to the directing, music, dancing, and acting, with laughter and applause, and it was fun to listen to them chat about the show as they exited the theatre.
The audience experience is enhanced by the all the behind the scenes work that goes into presenting musical theatre. The simple, yet creative set design by Daniel Simmons features ramps for dancing and skating, hidden exits and Greek columns with sculpted muses, all lit masterfully by Bruce Duerden’s lighting design. The lights are colorful, bring movement to the stage and come complete with a disco ball (of course). I love that the musicians are placed prominently on the stage, interact with the cast, and add an energy to the production that can only come from live music. They are expertly conducted by Jaron Putnam and although they occasionally overpowered the singers on opening night, I am sure that will be corrected as the run continues. The costumes (Allyson Thieme) and wigs and make up (Sara Shouse) are perfectly suited to the show and add whimsy and personality to each character. All the elements of USU’s Xanadu work together to bring the script to life for the audience and the cast and crew truly embody the show’s theme, that to love someone and to create art is “Xanadu” or the greatest gift of the gods.
The show runs about an hour and 40 minutes and has no intermission. It had a slow start on opening night, as we waited for the band to get into place, but once the music started, the time literally flew by. It isn’t really a show for young kids, but teens and adults will be thoroughly entertained. Parking is plentiful around USU’s Chase Fine Arts Building that houses the Morgan Theatre, but wear shoes you can walk in and watch for the signs. Tickets are $15 for youth under 18 and Seniors, and $18 for adults. USU students get in for free and I hope they will take advantage of this upbeat, fun production.
USU Department of Theatre Arts presents Xanadu, Music and Lyrics by Jeff Lynne and John Farrar, Book by Douglas Carter Bean
Based on the Universal Pictures Film with a screenplay by Richard Danus and Marc Rubel
Morgan Theatre, Chase Fine Arts Center on the USU Campus, Logan UT 84322
October 5-6, 10-13, 7:30 PM
Tickets: $10 – $18
Contact: 435-797-8022
USU Theatre Arts Facebook Page
Xanadu Facebook Event
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