Review: XANADU at The Garden Theatre

The Garden Theatre’s production of XANADU is likely the most fun you will have this summer. Great pop music, a self-aware script filled with ironic gags, and a fearless cast on roller skates create inspired magic and glamorous silliness. It doesn’t hurt that they are doing all of this at the MATCH facility, which is famous for its great air conditioning and offers a much-needed break from the seasonal dog days that are upon us. The thing about this cast is they are having fun and putting the play in play, and the comedy in musical comedy. It’s a blast of nitrous oxide, a giggle when you need it, and a surprisingly inspiring take on the creative forces of having questionable taste. I walked away wondering if XANADU actually had something to say all these years after the 1980 film bombed and wrecked careers, yet still sold a ton of albums. You have to believe in its magic. 

The book by Douglas Carter Beane departs almost entirely from the film’s script, save for the basic arc of a muse inspiring two men to questionably build a roller disco in 1980 (just in time for the untimely deaths of both disco danceterias and roller boogie skating rinks). When Olivia Newton-John, Michael Beck, and Gene Kelly made the film version, the production began without a finalized script, and you can see the narrative mess in the cinematic end result. But this book for the musical fleshes out entire plots centered on the muses, streamlines the Sonny and Kira romance, and establishes a self-mocking tone that still reveres what the cult classic created. The songs remain the same, and it’s a hit-filled journey through the work of ELO’s Jeff Lynn and Olivia Newton-John’s main writer, John Farrar. The musical even dives deeper into their respective catalogs. It helps if you know the film, but you will know the music. 

Often, director Logan Vaden instinctively casts the right people for the Garden Theatre’s shows. In a genius stroke, he has stumbled upon Kristen Herink and Miles Estes to play Kira and Sonny. You need these two to pull the whole thing off, and they are the sirens' call that makes this one so seductive. I am not sure Kristen is even acting; she embodies Kira (aka the muse Clio) so effortlessly. She’s a natural and sings the Olivia songs as if they were her own. Her comedy comes out of her intense belief in the material itself. She is unironically sincere and captivating. Miles Estes gives a wonderfully intentional camp performance as the himbo Sonny. In contrast to Kristen, he plants his tongue firmly in cheek and skates on. He seems more aware of the bonkers play he is in, and he connects with the audience in that way. You have a wonderful yin to a yang in their respective performances, and it’s gleefully created. They complete each other. I couldn’t stop smiling at them. They have this perfect juxtaposition of throw-back and modern that most actors could never navigate this effortlessly, and they make a wonderful romantic pair. And they both can sing! 

The ensemble supporting them is just as strong. Morgan Kaupert as Melpomene and Arianna Bermudez as Calliope portray perfectly sinister sisters in the muse family. They riff, they cackle, and they are two vocal powerhouses who deliver a perfectly timed joke with an extraordinary vocal run. Bradley Goertz takes on the Gene Kelly role and surprisingly ages up nicely. He’s such a versatile actor, and this is the first time I have seen him not play a romantic lead, and downplay his striking good looks to deliver an older, disgruntled millionaire who finds his mojo helping the young lovers. He’s adorable, slightly nerdy, golden-throated, and just what you want, a legend (like Gene Kelly) guiding the new icons. The muses rejoice in their respective roles, and each brings a unique quality that carries the spirit of XANADU. Christopher Aviles as Terpsicore and Tristan Flores as Thalia stand out as fabulously fierce “sisters” who dance the house down and look great in the togas and 80s fashion. Sia Kuresa and Erin Marie Lamb round out the fabulous crew with some performances featuring Snow Adeera and Elliot Schein. 

Technically, things are wacky and the right amount of “design on a dime.” We have levels, projections, and an ingenious use of space from Nicholas White. Jacob Zamarripa’s lighting reinforces the comedy with its colorful contrasts in every scene. Courtney Chilton choreographs everything to capitalize on the fact that the show is not taking itself too seriously, and she gives in to the idea of frollicking out of joy. Sami Denton’s costumes are cartoony and spot on! Logan Vaden knows how to direct a camp show, one that needs to have fun. He’s headed up CRUEL INTENTIONS and REEFER MADNESS, and XANADU is right there in his wheelhouse. He keeps a great pace, and the show zips along with an infectious joy. He’s creating his own mark in Houston as the guy who can brighten up the mood of any darkened theater. XANADU has his signature ray of sunshine blasting out.  

One of the biggest differences between XANADU, the movie, and the musical is that the film was unintentionally bad. Script problems, reshoots, and a chaotic set led to a critically panned cult classic. But the soundtrack? The music remains flawless. The movie got one thing right about the 80s: that music videos were about to obliterate any need for narrative, and music mattered. The musical comes in knowing all of this and leans into the absurdity. But in the end, XANADU does say something about creativity that resonates with the Garden Theatre. Chase your dreams, do the show, make the art, because someone is going to love it. Every night this cast builds XANADU out of sheer joy, and it’s a testament to having a great time while making art. It’s everything you want - silly, fun, well-sung, well-staged, and inspiring. XANADU is still the dream that came through a million years.  

XANDU plays at the MATCH through August 30th. Seating is general admission. The show runs a little over an hour and a half without an intermission. Definitely plan not to have a bathroom break for a while, because you don’t want to risk being slammed into by a centaur on roller skates! And they won’t let you back in.  

Reader Reviews

To post a comment, you must register and login.

Need more Houston Theatre News in your life?
Sign up for all the news on the Summer season, discounts & more...