Richard Danus News

At the Hale Center Theater Orem in-the-round production of XANADU, the gods of the theater are not fully withdrawn yet they are stingy with divine blessings of inspiration.

XANADU, the deliriously giddy musical based on the deliriously awful '80s movie of the same name, celebrates all things roller disco. At the Hale Orem production, XANADU will get the full-tilt glamour-glitter, discomania treatment-mirrored disco balls, glitter eyeshadow and, of course, leg warmers.

It might not be great art, but Xanadu-the new musical onstage through March 3 at Franklin's Boiler Room Theatre-sure is great fun! Pure, unadulterated escapism, Xanadu is laugh-out-loud funny, thanks primarily to the book by Douglas Carter Beane, but you have to give props to director Corbin Green and his talented cast who bring the completely ridiculous musical (featuring the music of Electric Light Orchestra's Jeff Lynne and John Farrar) to life onstage.

The DOMA Theatre Company has announced its first-ever season - a line up of six Broadway-style musicals sure to 'disturb and delightz': The Who's Tommy (March 23-April 15); Songs For A New World (May 11-June 3); Jekyll & Hyde, The Musical (July 6-29); Xanadu (Aug. 17-Sept. 9); Once On This Island (Sept. 21-Oct. 14), and a surprise, Tony Award-winning musical to be revealed at a later date (Nov. 2-Dec. 9).

Cape Rep Theatre will continue its 26th Season on July 28 with the Regional Premiere of Xanadu. Dani Davis will direct with choreography by Todd Underwood and musical direction by Scott Sotrr.

Cape Rep Theatre will continue its 26th Season on July 28 with the Regional Premiere of Xanadu. Dani Davis will direct with choreography by Todd Underwood and musical direction by Scott Sotrr.

Fortunately, Toby's has the right Kira in Heather Marie Beck. In her game willingness to clown rather than just be pretty and sound lovely, she reminds me a bit of Cameron Diaz. I will long treasure the memory of her staggering along, one skate on and one skate off, as she doggedly makes her escape from a too-importunate Sonny. Beck may know, and we may know, that the character looks ridiculous, but the character doesn't know; that's real comedy.