XANADU
Beck Center for the Arts
September 14-October 14, 2012
216.521.2540 x10 or beckcenter.org
Bob Abelman
Expectations were so low for "Xanadu" that when the reviews came out after its Broadway premiere in 2007, the promotional ad taken out by the theater simply read: "The critics loved it. Seriously." The Beck Center production is even better. Seriously.
To see a full review of this show, read Bob Abelman's News-Herald article here.
Roy Berko
If you are in the mood for total silliness, want to hear
some well sung classical modern songs, and desire to see some excellent
dancing, XANADU is for you. The “Magic”
may “Suddenly” take you to “Xanadu,” allowing you to be “Suspended in Time,”
so, “Don’t Walk Away” from seeing this show at Beck.
To see a full review of this show, read Roy Berko's blog here.Fran Heller
So how could something so bad as the movie version of "Xanadu" be that good as a stage musical?
Credit Douglas Carter Beane, whose very clever, very funny book couples Jeff Lynne and John Farrar's mostly catchy pop-rock songs with a parody of the film to great comic effect.
The musical's strength lies in poking fun at the genre, Greek mythology, the theater and the nature of creativity, with hilarious results.
To see a full review of this show, read Fran Heller's review at the Cleveland Jewish News
Christine Howey
Featuring
the 1980’s era pop stylings of Olivia Newton-John and the Electric Light
Orchestra, with many parody references to the film of the same name that bombed
(and then became a cult fave), the play is a self-aware festival of harmless schlock
and a bushel of meta jokes at its own expense.
Kory
XANADU was one of the worst movies of all time, but the musical, now playing at Beck Center for the Arts in Lakewood, is anything but!
To see a full review of this show, link to http://new102.com/korysreviews
Andrea Simakis
To see a full review of this show, visit http://www.cleveland.com/onstage/index.ssf/2012/09/beck_centers_xanadu_a_sweet_go.html
"Art," says Sonny Malone to the audience in the first few minutes of XANADUX, the sugar rush of a show now playing at the Beck Center for
the Arts, "isn't just for the well-educated and intelligent -- it's for
people like you!" The line serves two purposes. It earns a laugh and provides a menu
for what is to follow -- self-aware schlock that is tasty as a vanilla
cupcake with pastel sprinkles (and just as nutritious).
Art Thomas
The reference-filled script combines with a gem of a rock theater score. Add a first rate cast to Martin Cespedes' flashy choreography and there's almost more energy than the Beck Center can contain.
Click here to read the complete review at WestLife
