What a pleasure to join more than 400 neighbors on the Turf behind the Old Stone House  to watch Piper Theatre’s production of  Xanadu, the theatrically re-imagined 1980’s Olivia Newton- John movie.

Have You Never Been Mellow?

Props to cast, especially Alissa Laderer, MaryAnne Piccolo, who bring much in the way of  joy, talent and enthusiasm to their singing and dancing (sometimes on roller skates). They made it look easy and artful on an extremely humid night. What spirit!

Have You Never Been Mellow?

Truth be told, the show itself has few memorable songs (Have You Never Been Mellow?) but overall conveys a spirited disco feeling with soaring gospel harmonies. The set and costumes are colorful and  campy fun and the glittery, Spandex spectacle is a pleasure to watch from the plastic lawn sipping a beer from The Gate, munching on Starburst (bought at the concessions stand).

Have You Never Been Mellow?

Set in Venice Beach circa 1980, the story, by Douglas Carter Beane (the award-winning playwright of “The Little Dog Laughed” and “Lysistrata Jones”), is about Kira, a Greek muse who descends from Mt. Olympus to inspire Sonny, a street artist with a dream to open a roller disco.

Have You Never Been Mellow?

Silliness, satire and star-crossed love come together in a happy frolic directed by John Macinerney, who was kind enough to provide me with my very own day glow necklace. At the end of the show, the cast joyously tossed beach balls to the audience.

On a very hot Friday night, it felt like we were at Venice Beach being very mellow indeed.

Damn, I can’t get that song out of my head. Dates: July 12, 13, 19, 20 at 8 PM at the Old Stone House (The Turf).

The photo is  by my friend Josh Mack.