Blondie's Seeking Susan, and Other Stage Notes

Blondie is lending songs — including "Heart of Glass" and "One Way or Another" — to a West End musical based on the 1985 Madonna film Desperately Seeking Susan, says the AP. Emma Williams (Bat Boy) will channel the Material Girl.... Claire Danes makes her Broadway debut as Eliza Doolittle to Jefferson Mays' Henry Higgins in Pygmalion, opening Oct. 18.... Xanadu, whose Broadway bow was visited by one Olivia Newton-John, is drawing primarily positive reviews. The New York Daily News, for one, deemed the production "90 minutes of souped-up silliness" that translates into "a cure for the summertime blues." The Post, alas, offers one of the few grand slams, calling it "an absolutely ghastly show." I report, you decide.

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Posted by

Matt Webb Mitovich

Jul 11, 2007 9:49 AM

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You might want to revisit the thread on Xanadu's reviews...of the major papers (courtesy of "jaystarr" at Broadwayworld.com):

1. Broadway.com Word of Mouth (Audri, Cindi & Randi)- POSITIVE
2. NY1 News (Roma Torre)- POSITIVE
3. NY Variety (David Rooney) -RAVE
4. Talkin' Broadway (Matthew Murray)- POSITIVE
5. Hollywood Reporter (Frank Schneck)- NEGATIVE
6. Associated Press (Michael Kuchawara) - RAVE
7. NY Times (Charles Isherwood)- POSITIVE
8. Theater Mania (David Finkle)- RAVE
9. NY Post (Clive Barnes) - NEGATIVE
10. NY Daily News (Joe Dzimemianowizc)- POSITIVE
11. NY News (Jacques Le Sound)- POSITIVE
12. Newsday (Linda Winer)-POSITIVE
13. NY SUN (ERic Grode)- POSTIVE
14. NJ's Star Ledger (Michael Sommer)- POSITIVE
15. Hartford Courant (Peter Lieder) - POSITIVE

****
RAVE-3
Positive-10
Negative-2

Posted by dsrbroadway

Jul 11, 2007 11:12 AM

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Ooh, thanks! (With Raven gone, I don't have the usual inside line on the planks.) Good to hear! Item has been amended.
Posted by Matt Webb Mitovich Jul 11, 2007 11:20 AM Report Abuse

And here's a personal rave: "Xanadu" was the most fun I've ever had at the theatre. The show is 90 minutes of exhilirating hilarious fun! Kerry Butler is faaaaabulous leading a fantastic cast. I recommend it to everyone, run to NYC now!
Posted by jbboy Jul 11, 2007 1:17 PM Report Abuse

Angel and I are going tomorrow night. We shall report! Oh and this is a day for Raven's friends. My old pal Peter Michael Marino wrote the show (not the songs, obviously, nor the source material). Yay Peter!
Posted by Raven Snook Jul 11, 2007 3:34 PM Report Abuse

Xanaduis one of those ideas that probably works better on the stage than on film. I thought so when I first saw the film, lo these many,many years ago.
Posted by Katcon Jul 11, 2007 7:37 PM Report Abuse

The film version of the movie is pretty much non-existant in the musical. Only the basic plot "boy meets muse", a couple of lines, and the songs (the best part of the movie, we can all agree) remain. It's a great show and deserves a shot at being seen. PS Thanks for editing the original post!
Posted by dsrbroadway Jul 12, 2007 1:16 AM Report Abuse

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