0 comments | google, mobile, rss, WordPress |

0 comments | animation, Comics, japanese |

I admit it. Just like librettist Douglas Carter Beane writes in the liner notes of the newly-released Original Broadway Cast recording of Xanadu, when I attended the first preview in May, I was hoping to catch a flop of Carrie-like proportions. After all, the original film musical was a financial and artistic failure, even if it did produce a best-selling soundtrack. Trying to roller-skate on the Helen Hayes Theatre’s postage stamp-sized stage would surely be the least of the cast’s worries…

So imagine my surprise when the show turned out to be some of the most fun I’ve ever had at the theatre, and went on to open to the best reviews of any recent film-to-stage adaptation on Broadway. Douglas Carter Beane and his collaborators managed to leverage the camp value inherent in the piece along with the hit score to create a show that’s entertaining on its own terms (and not just “children’s theatre for 40-year-old gay men” as one of the oft-quoted lines contends).

Several months later, a cast recording has finally arrived in stores. I looked forward mainly to hearing Cheyenne Jackson’s take on the lead role of struggling artist Sonny Malone, as he was a last-minute replacement for the injured James Carpinello. Jackson has a silky baritone and easily negotiates the pop score (and, from the look of the promotional photos, fills out his tank top and short shorts rather nicely).

But the real draw of this recording is the adorably perky Kerry Butler, who channels Olivia Newton-John as Clio, the Greek Muse, with the right balance of parody and reverence. Butler has turned up on countless demo recordings and in smaller parts, and it’s great to see her break out in a role she so obviously has so much fun playing.

Mary Testa and Jackie Hoffman, who chewed the scenery as Clio’s evil sisters on stage, manage to keep from going too over-the-top on the recording, showcasing their sass in one of the stage musical’s interpolated hits, “Evil Woman.” Woody Allen-favorite Tony Roberts may pale in comparison to the film’s Gene Kelly, but has a gruff charm all his own.

Providing music direction is the unlikely Eric Stern, mostly known for his work on arty Nonesuch recordings with singers like Audra McDonald and Dawn Upshaw. Stern, however, manages to create a pretty full sound with only 4 players and a few pit singers (including journeyman Annie Golden).

But is this recording going to replace your well-worn copy of the Xanadu soundtrack? Surprisingly, after re-listening to Olivia Newton-John et al, the original Broadway cast compares favorably, teeming with infectious energy.

6 comments |

Wow. Who knew she could dance like that?

1 comment | lizaminelli, sondheim |

Ug. I’m now getting Facebook spam from girls looking to “hook up” (keep looking), just like on MySpace and Friendster. And the clean aesthetic of the profile page is getting all ass-ugly with “applications.” Facebook is so totally over for me (like I was ever into it to begin with).

0 comments |

The Broadway stagehand strike has officially begun. Thankfully, Jeff and I got in 5 Broadway shows over the past 2 weeks. The Seafarer was brilliantly acted but badly plotted, Cymbeline had beautiful costumes, and The Little Mermaid was at least better than Tarzan.

1 comment |

0 comments | gimp, lomo, photos |

Moving sucks. Especially in the rain. The new apartment smells like wet boxes. More to follow…

2 comments |

After working at the New School for the past 4+ years, I’m finally movin’ on (up to the West Side). Starting November 1st, I will be the Associate Director of Housing Operations at Barnard College.

I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to focus on the parts of working in college housing that interest and challenge me, but I’m going to miss having my own RA staff and residents (and all the great people I work with at the New School).

One result of the job change is that Jeff and I will be moving out of our apartment (which came with my job at the New School). We’ve got a temporary location to live in while we search, but we need to find a new apartment (something I’ve never done in my life, since I went straight from undergrad to grad school to working as a dorm director). Jeff commutes out to Newark, so we’d like find something on the West Side between Barnard/Columbia and the PATH train.

5 comments |

0 comments | cellphone |