Take a magical ride to a world where fantasy, romance, and shiny satin jumpsuits reign! In the Arts Club’s upcoming production of Xanadu, a beautiful Greek muse (Marlie Collins) descends from Mount Olympus in an impenetrable disguise of leg warmers and an Aussie accent to help mortal Sonny (Gaelan Beatty) realize the greatest artistic achievement of all time: to open a roller disco. Featuring the pop classics Suddenly, I’m Alive, Magic, Xanadu, and many more, it might just inspire you to dust off your roller skates before summer’s end.
The musical is based on the cult 1980 film starring Olivia Newton-John. The New York Times penned it an “outlandishly enjoyable stage spoof”. Xanadu opened on Broadway in 2007 and became a surprise hit, receiving an Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Musical, a Drama Desk Award for Best Book, and four Tony Award nominations, including Best Musical and Best Book (by Douglas Carter Beane).
“What is now a camp-cult classic has happily been adapted into a funnier and more entertaining nostalgic valentine to all things early ‘80s and Xanadu,” says director Dean Paul Gibson. “With tongue planted firmly in cheek, we can enjoy some of the great musical hits from Electric Light Orchestra and Olivia Newton-John, framed in this mythological send-up of a man and his muse. Hell, there’s a little something for everyone, including swing, dance, disco, and some good old-fashioned rock music thrown in for good measure. I couldn’t resist…I had to direct it!”
The Arts Club Theatre cast of Xanadu includes J. Cameron Barnett, Gaelan Beatty, Marlie Collins, Stephanie Liatopoulos, Bonnie Panych, Cailin Stadnyk, Vincent Tong, Simon Webb and Beatrice Zeilinger.
Xanadu
Dates: June 21 to August 4; Monday, 8 pm; Tuesday, 7:30 pm; Wednesday to Saturday, 8 pm; Wednesday and Saturday matinées, 2 pm
Venue: Granville Island Stage, 1585 Johnston Street, Vancouver
Tickets: $29 to $54, including tax and fees; available either online or by phoning 604.687.1644
Photo courtesy of David Cooper.
