KHOU & CultureMap
Skate on! Stages squeezes in extra weekend performance of '80s roller skatin' musical
The popular Stages Theatre production of Xanadu has to close this weekend as the company makes way for a encore production of Full Gallop, the one-woman show about the legendary Diana Vreeland. But fans of the '80s musical romp will have an extra chance to join in the fun — and hum along to such classic Olivia Newton John songs as "Suddenly" and "Magic."
"There's not a dull moment in the show," Vavra says.
Stages has added an extra performance on Saturday at 3 p.m., in addition to performances Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. and the final performance at 3 p.m. Sunday.
The musical, based on the cult classic film, follows Kira, a Greek muse, who descends from Mount Olympus and heads to Venice Beach, Calif. She meets a struggling artist named Sonny whom she inspires to follow his dreams — one which thankfully involves rollerskates.
"It is music that everyone grew up with," says Holland Vavra, who portrays Kira in the production. "Not only that but it is cheeky humor, it's fun campiness. There's not a dull moment in the show."
"What's not to love about a musical set in the '80s on rollerskates with all these great songs that we grew up with," says CultureMap's Editor-in-Chief Clifford Pugh in this week's KHOU CultureMap Moment. "It really brings back a lot of great memories, I think that's one reason it's so popular."
See Varva, Pugh and Channel 11 Morning News anchor discuss the musical in this week's KHOU CultureMap Moment, shown above. Call the Stages box office at 713-527-0123 to purchase tickets.
