Xanadu

AJ Love (center) stars with the company of “XANUDU” at the Laguna Playhouse. By Eric Marchese | Special to the NB Indy. Looking for something fun to wrap up ...

Daniels is featured in nearly every musical number, bringing the Newton-John mystique to “Strange Magic,” “Suddenly,” and the socko finale “Xanadu” where Sonny’s dream of a roller disco is giddily realized. Glittering costumes (uncredited in the program) add to the fun, and Clifford Spurlock’s lighting and Ian Scott’s sound design amplify the story. In a nutshell, “Xanadu” is sheer froth and sheer joy. Chris Strangfeld’s scenic work mixes pristine urban Venice, Calif., with the white marble floors and columns of the “Xanadu” theater. The new staging is thoroughly steeped in the ’80s – in a good way – and it’s a blast. The real hook of the stage version, though, are its music and lyrics. The character relishes her own evil, and Mina-Ballard delivers an aptly over-the-top comedic turn. The “Xanadu” movie was no great shakes, leaving Beane plenty of room for improvement. Van Dyke’s Danny McGuire gives us a glimpse of a once-creative spirit who gave up after Clio dematerialized from his life 35 years earlier. Would-be artist Sonny Malone (Dorian Quinn) has created a public chalk mural of the nine Muses of ancient Greece, but bemoans its imperfections. Sonny’s dream is to run a roller disco. You won’t find a better way than Laguna Playhouse’s production of the 2007 Broadway musical “Xanadu” that runs through August 21.