THIS OUTRAGEOUSLY FUN PRODUCTION OF XANADU IS A MAGICAL BLAST FROM THE PAST!!!

 

     With music and lyrics by Jeff Lynne and John Farrar and book by Douglas Carter Beane, XANADU is based upon the screenplay for the 80s Universal Pictures cult classic film by Richard Danus and Marc Rubel. 

    When the musical opened on Broadway it received Tony nominations for Best Musical, Best Book for a Musical and Best Choreography.

     XANADU is the first production of Littleton Town Hall Arts Center’s 40^th season!  It’s the start of one of the most well thought out seasons in memory at this venue. The other shows they have in line are: "NEWSIES", "I LOVE YOU, YOU’RE PERFECT, NOW CHANGE", "LA CAGE AUX FOLLES" and "MEMPHIS."

     By now it should be evident to everyone who attends musical theatre in this town that any show Nick Sugar directs and choreographs is going to be Amazing! Sugar has that Midas touch that can transform the dross of even mediocre scripts into musical theatre gold.

     As director of this show he brings in well-known acting talent as well as introducing us to new up and coming actors whose stars are  now rising.

     His choices of technical crew members give us artists who are stars of the first magnitude as well: Costumer Linda Morken, Sound designer Curt Behm, Scenic designer Douglas Clark and Lighting designer Brett Maughan. Becky Toma’s Props design is also outstanding. (This is Becky’s 27^th show at Town Hall in the last ten years. Her artistic work on the magical staff – caduceus - for Hermes is just one example of this artist’s expertise.)

 

The astonishing music direction is by Goddess Donna Kolpan Debreceni, whose rockin’ band includes the great Larry Ziehl on drums, Scott Alan Smith on Guitar/Bass and Tanner Kelly on keys. Debreceni and company make these juke box hits sound better than ever! "Have You Never Been Mellow,""Whenever You’re Away From Me," "All Over the World", "Evil Woman" and "Strange Magic" are just a few of them.

     Anastasia Koshevaya stars as Kira/Clio, the role performed by Olivia Newton John in the movie. Ms. Koshevaya is a luminous triple threat - some might say she’s a quadruple threat - since she does it all on roller skates.  Koshevaya graduated from the renowned theatre program at UNC.

     Jake Bell’s performance in the role of Sonny is the most engaging portrayal of this character that this reviewer has seen to date. One hopes to see more of his work onstage again soon.

     Denver favorite Annie Dwyer is Colorado’s answer to Carol Burnett. You can’t take your eyes off her as she steals the show as the hysterically evil Melpomene, the Muse of Tragedy. BRAVA!!!

     Scott McLean’s honeyed vocals as Danny are ear-pleasing indeed.

     The ensemble is blessed with local star Gabe Morales as numerous characters, including Hermes.

  If you’ve been wishing for an escape into the fantasy of jukebox hits and sheer fantasy, this show’s for you.

      Don’t let this one pass you by!!!

 

For tickets

go online at www.townhallartscenter.org