Children's Theater for 40-year-old Gay People

Perhaps I felt something in the Zeitgeist last November when I blogged about Xanadu, the Olivia Newton-John movie musical that killed the genre of movie musicals (not to mention her film career). Little did I know that less than a year later, I would be in a Broadway theater watching Xanadu the musical, and having the time of my life.

Douglas Carter Beane, the playwright who wrote the musical's book, is some kind of genius. I've seen two of his plays -- As Bees in Honey Drown and The Little Dog Laughed -- and enjoyed them, but nothing prepared me for his astonishing feat with Xanadu. He managed to mock and celebrate 1980 simultaneously. From the atrocious short shorts worn by the lead character Sonny, to the hysterically exaggerated Australian accent adopted by Kerry Butler as his Muse, nothing was sacred and nothing was profane. Beane created a souffle of period in-jokes, ELO songs, high camp, and Olivia Newton-John references. The show breezed by (on roller-skates) in 90 minutes. As one character observed, "this is like children's theater for 40-year-old gay people." Exactly. If you're my age and even remotely fond of your youth, run to the Helen Hayes Theatre and see this show.

I was also delighted that Beane seems to have shared my particular pop cultural touchstones. Clearly an expert in Newton-Johniana, he also culminates the piece in a tribute to that other "classic" film of the early 80s, Clash of the Titans. I thought my sister and I were the only ones who remembered this movie. When we first got cable back in the day (remember when cable was a new idea?), Clash of the Titans was the featured film on HBO. We saw it at least a dozen times. We quote its cheesy dialogue to this day. ("Take me with you -- if only to the wells of the moon, just so I can be with you.")

Thank you, Mr. Beane!

Comments

[Matt]

Todd & I have been thinking about going to NY to see Xanadu, but lately we've been waffling. I mean, c'mon ... it's Xanadu. But now that we've read your comments, it's time to book the flight and reserve the tickets!

[GayPeople]

There should be no discrimination for gay people.