San Jose Retro Dome’s “Xanadu” is Campy, Classy, and Terrific Fun

This outrageous flashback musical bursts with mirrored disco balls, roller skates, Greek gods, and songs that make you smile.  In 1980 the movie paired “Grease” pop-singer Olivia Newton-John with Michael Beck and classic dancer/singer Gene Kelly, adding pulse-pounding music of the Tubes, ELO, and more.  Written by Douglas Carter Beane with music by Jeff Lynne and John Farrar, “Xanadu” came to the Broadway stage and won an Outer Critics’ Circle Award for “Best New Musical” in 2008.  It’s a real treat to find that San Jose’s Retro Dome fills their hit production with high energy performers, colorful and creative costumes, perfect casting, and easygoing voices.  The live onstage band was an added treat.  Forget Broadway, come to San Jose.  This show includes several members of the prestigious Actors’ Equity Association, so you know you’re in for top-notch entertainment.

The plot is simple:  Talented but broke artist Sonny, perfectly cast in good-looking Adam Barry, is in despair and wants to end it all.  Kira, an observant young goddess, takes pity on him and begs her goddess family to allow her to inspire Sonny’s mind as his earthly Muse.  Sarah Aili plays the part of the Muse with comic timing and a singing voice that matches her heavenly looks.  The plot thickens as two of her jealous sister goddesses scheme to eliminate her, if they can only trap her into falling in love with the human.  These two sisters, vamped to absolute perfection by Shannon Guggenheim and Hilary Little, constantly crack up the audience with their facial expressions as wicked songstresses.  Their high-voltage song “Evil Woman” was a big favorite. 

Fortunately, not all of the goddess family wishes harm to Kira.  The supportive sisters include tall and talented Kate McCormick, charming and versatile Lizzie O’Hara, and comic Brian Conway as the hilarious “sister” who seems a bit “off”.  Hector Quintana, playing another Muse, was ill for the performance I reviewed, but there was neither a beat missed nor a note dropped by this talented ensemble.   

There always has to be a plot twist, preferably one of evil and redemption.  In this show it’s the greedy developer who turns into a philanthropist, a role relished by Stephen Guggenheim as he does a bit of the two-step with gorgeous Aili and sings their duet “Whenever You’re Away From Me.”  Oh, and Guggenheim also shows up as the god Zeus in a later scene.  No wonder he’s smiling.

This family-friendly show brings out the good times with its quick and clever dialog and onstage antics.  Some double-entendres appropriately went over the youngsters’ heads, yet all ages were clapping along with the joyful songs.  When one scene had all the gods and goddesses assembled in white tunics and gold crowns, Sonny asks “What is this, some kind of spa?” The little girl behind me laughed as hard as I did.   It’s entertainment at its campy best.

Produced and directed by Scott Evan Guggenheim, this show is now playing at The Retro Dome at 1694 Saratoga Avenue, San Jose, near the Westgate Mall.  Tickets at www.TheRetroDome.com or (418) 404-7711.