Musical 'Xanadu' comes to Grand Theatre

Like the frivolous 1980 Olivia Newton-John movie upon which it's based, "Xanadu" the musical is a smorgasbord of kitsch and high-irony. As such, it's almost tailor-made for a younger crowd.

For Grand Theatre's production, opening May 10, there's true heart behind main character Sonny Malone's ultimate dream of owning a roller disco. There to help and inspire him is Kira, fuzzy warm Australian accent made all more alluring by her leg warmers and roller skates. Only as a daughter of Zeus, she can't fall in love with the mortal she's bound to help. Will she still hook him up with the right real-estate connections, all while resisting affections for Sonny stoked her sisters?

More charm machine than cliff-hanger, "Xanadu" is one chewy nugget after another of '80s pop nostalgia. And how could it not be with its Electric Light Orchestra soundtrack including "Strange Magic" and "Evil Woman"?

Jim Christian directs, with main cast members Ashley Gardner Carlson as Kira, Camille Gerber Van Wagoner as evil Melpomene, Sean Bishop as Sonny Malone, and Kim Blackett as real-estate mogul Danny Maguire.

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"Xanadu"

When • May 10-26, 7:30 p.m. with select Saturday matinees 2 p.m.

Where • The Grand Theatre, 1575 S. State St., Salt Lake City

Info • $10-$24. Call 801-957-3322 or visit www.the-grand.org for more information.