A movie that few will admit to having watched is the basis for a new musical at the Granville Island Stage.
Xanadu, starring Olivia Newton-John at her post-Grease, pre-Physical peak, and featuring hit songs like Im Alive and Magic, has a particular kind of infamy among those of us (ahem) old enough to remember the 80s.
But the musical mounted by the Arts Club is the surprise-hit 2007 Broadway production, which is actually a good-natured spoof. In this story about one mans quest to open a roller disco and the lovely Greek muse who rolls down from the heavens to his aid, leads Gaelan Beatty and Marlie Collins spend much of their time on roller skates.
There are about three scenes where Im not on roller skates, says Collins, reached at home on the day of Xanadus official opening at the Granville Island Stage (its on until Aug 4).
A lot of the times I have to do quick changes and sometimes the roller skates dont go on as properly as I need them to, so it gets a little scary. Im used to it now.
A native of Saskatoon, Collins grew up on ice skates and roller blades, and had no trouble transitioning to the required footwear. And with her musical background - she has played with her own band and toured southeast Asia with a soul-funk group let by Jimi Hendrixs cousin she can handle the shows signature 80s pop as well. (For her audition, she belted out Whitney Houstons 1987 hit I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)).
For Xanadu, the multi-talented Collins also has to do an Australian accent, as a tongue-in-cheek homage to Newton-John.
Little things Ill do here and there will be an over-the-top version of Olivia, says Collins. Ill do her songs, and Ill do this little nasal thing, in the way she sings.
At the time of our chat, it seemed that Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»audiences were just starting to get used to the idea of Xanadu is an opportunity to laugh at the preposterousness of a certain time period, not a strict revival of a much-mocked movie. Nothing about Xanadu, the musical, is to be taken seriously.
This is a show where you want to have a couple of drinks in you, get a little funky, make noise, says Collins. Its a roller-disco, 80s, over-the-top show. People have every right to scream, or laugh, or clap at any time they want. Its a fun environment to be in - and some people might even get nostalgic.
For ticket information go to ArtsClub.com.
