Review-Xanadu (9.9.07)

Xanadu (Sunday, 9.9.07, 3 p.m.)
Helen Hayes Theatre, New York, NY

By: Douglas Carter Beane (book), Jeff Lynne & John Farrar (music and lyrics), David Gallo (scenic design), Howell Binkley (lighting design), David Zinn (costume design), T. Richard Fitzgerald, Carl Casella (sound design), Zachary Borovay (projection design), Charles G. LaPointe (wige and hair design); Christopher Ashley (direction)

Starring: Kerry Butler (Clio/Kira), Cheyenne Jackson (Sonny Malone), Tony Roberts (Danny Maguire, Zeus), Curtis Holbrook, Anika Larsen, Patti Murin (standby), Mary Testa, Jackie Hoffman, Andre Ward, Ryan Watkinson

Xanadu is effortlessly likeable. The actors are cute and bubbly, the songs recognizaable, and the premise and plot light. There is no reason to think about what is going on, no reason to guess whether there is a second meaning. Even the cultural references are easy on the brain.

The sum of all these parts is a really enjoyable evening. Douglas Carter Beane’s book is light-hearted and fun. While everything is light and it doesn’t take itself too seriously, it also doesn’t try to be too campy and too self-parodying. And that’s what makes it work – it doesn’t try too hard.

What also works here is the cast, which takes the same approach to the material as Carter Beane. Kerry Butler is simply luminous and perfectly cast as Clio. Although you can tell she is not totally at ease on her rollerskates, nevertheless, she is a light a delicate presence. She of course sings beautifully, but also manages to wring a so much humor out of every word spoken, every note sung, and every little gesture. She has the audience wrapped around her little finger from the opening moments show, and the audience never lets her go.

Matching Butler in spirit is Cheyenne Jackson’s wide-eyed Sonny Malone. Jackson comes across as well-meaning and open-hearted. He is imminently likeable as well, and when he gets the chance, he demonstrates his tremendous set of pipes. Although the part of Sonny isn’t as comicly showy as that of Clio/Kira, he is still a focus of attention. Jackson has good chemistry with Butler, which makes their constant appearance on stage together all the more rewarding.

Tony Roberts fills out the principals as Danny Maguire and Zeus, and lends a nice “straight” presence to the otherwise fanciful and silly proceedings. Roberts has a natural style about him, not overly self-conscious, but also lacking any arrogance. That he doesn’t dance is not a real problem, although given that every other actor on stage at least moves to the music, Roberts’ stiffness is rather noticeable.

Of the other muses, it is Mary Testa and Jackie Hoffman who threaten to upstage Kira and Sonny. Testa is, as usual, her big-brassed self, and her facial expressions are wonderful to watch. She is well-paired with Hoffman, who is delightful as her side-kick, and who in the latter part of the show also makes an appearance as Athena, delivering just a few lines in such an outrageous Greek accent that she almost stops the show. Testa and Hoffman are a sheer delight, and they embody the hapless spirit of the show.

Xanadu is real delight – and while it is so light that I almost wonder if I’ll remember it by tomorrow -- that's really okay. Today, at least, I can recognize fun when I see it.