Review Roundup: XANADU at Pittsburgh CLO
By: Alan Henry Oct. 25, 2017
XANADU runs at Pittsburgh CLO through December 7. From the golden age of romantic comedies, leg warmers and Pac-Man...XANADU is a classic tale of boy meets girl - except that girl is actually Greek muse "Kira" sent from the heavens to Venice Beach, California to help struggling artist, Sonny, achieve his greatest dream - to open the first roller disco! When Kira falls into forbidden love with this mortal, her jealous sisters take advantage of the situation, and chaos [and hilarity] abound.
The show stars OLIVIA VADNAIS as Kira, REED ALLEN WORTH as Sonny, Tim Brady as Danny, Lara Hayhurst as Calliope, and DREW LEIGH WILLIAMS as Melpomene. XANADU is directed by Kate Galvin, with choreography by Mark Burrell, musical direction by Isaac Harlan, scenic design by Britton Mauk, costume design by Stephanie Shaw, and lighting design by Keith A. Traux.
XANADU has a book by Douglas Carter Beane and music and lyrics by Jeff Lynne and John Farrar.
Let's see what the critics had to say!
Brian Pope, Pittsburgh In The Round: If you do venture to CLO's intimate cabaret venue to figure out what Xanadu means, you won't leave disappointed if the answer still eludes you. Like ignorance, this show is pure bliss... Five actors may be playing upwards of double that amount of roles, but there is not an ounce of strain evident among them. Each member of the company was superlative in their own special way... Musical comedy heaven is indeed a place on Earth. And that place is the Pittsburgh CLO Cabaret.
Dylan Shaffer, BroadwayWorld: The show is undoubtedly over the top, ridiculously silly, and exceptionally hysterical. It's tagline "Hilarity on Wheels" fits the bill and continues from the start of the show to the end... For MGM, the movie might have been a flop, but for the CLO, the musical is a great, light-hearted piece of theatre that transcends decades, nay, cultures, and is a shining example for cabaret theaters "All Over the World."
Photo: Matt Polk
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