One can see how it might have been a good idea: Adapt the notoriously bad Olivia Newton-John 1980 movie musical, Xanadu, for the stage. Embrace the movies badness by doing much of the show on roller skates, and you could have a high-camp frolic.
But Lyrics tepid production, directed by Alan Muraoka, is less than the sum of its parts. The energy generated by the cast doesnt carry into the audience. Maybe the Plaza Theatres stage is too small for the skaters and the show to reach full speed, and the reviewed performance barely garnered the usual standing ovation. Chris Castleberrys choreography ranges from swing and tap to disco and standard, musical-theater hoofing it.
In writing it, Douglas Carter Beane (The Little Dog Laughed) has kept more or less faithful to the film, throwing out the superfluous and adding a subplot and a scene here and there. Jeff Lynne and John Farrar composed the pop-rock songs.
Set in Venice, Calif., and on Mount Olympus, Xanadu tells the tale of Sonny Malone (Adam Levinskas, the dude can yodel), whos somewhat of a dolt and underachieving artist. Clio (Lexi Windsor, giving it her best shot), the Greek Muse, takes an interest in him and assumes the mortal guise of the Australian Kira to help him achieve his dream, which turns out to be opening a roller disco.
Sonny finds a suitable space, but its owned by real-estate magnate Danny Maguire (Stephen Hilton). The Muses Melpomene (Sheran Keyton) and Calliope (the delightfully comic Renee Anderson) think that Zeus has unjustly favored Clio, and scheme to wreck Sonnys and Kiras plans.
The script has its comic moments, both high and lowbrow. Erato, the Muse of lyric and love poetry, has to whisper the answer in Sonnys ear when he asks what rhymes with Nantucket. The dialogue includes many 80s cultural references and slang. Whens the last time you heard someone called a jive turkey?
However confined the production is, Jeffrey Meeks costumes are utterly unrestrained. (What are those dreadlocked creatures in the Evil Woman number?) Art Whaleys lighting looks notably sharp; Chris Domanskis set is handsome, if unspectacular.
The production has a few amusing sight gags. Inexplicably, three of the Muses are male. The music is nostalgic. Strange Magic evokes memories, but the title song in the last scene seems oddly anticlimactic.
Sonny says his roller disco will include music, art and theater. Danny replies, Nothing turns a crap neighborhood around like the arts.
That line rings especially true in Lyrics snazzy Plaza Theatre.