According to Playbill.com, the box-office take for the newly opened Xanadu is breaking records at the Helen Hayes Theater. Of course, the Helen Hayes is a tiny house, and breaking records there isn't all that impressive when you're competing against a succession of one-person shows such as Golda's Balcony, Bridge and Tunnel, and Jay Johnson: The Two and Only.
But it does augur well for the plucky first musical of the 2007/2008 season. The show was beset by numerous setbacks, including not being able to land Jane Krakowski as leading lady, and losing its leading man, James Carpinello, to a foot injury. As a result, the show missed the Tony deadline for last season, and played an astounding 49 preview performances.
I have a ticket to see the show this Sunday. I was worried about buying a ticket in advance for a date that was after the show opened. The houses have been pretty skimpy for the show so far, and if the reviews had been bad, it probably would have shuttered pretty quickly. But the show enjoyed a resounding chorus of "so bad it's good" reviews, notably from the New York Times and Variety. Look for my review early next week.
I'll also be catching the Broadway-bound In the Heights in one of its last Off Broadway performances. I have a ticket to see Old Acquaintance, but I'm thinking I might blow that off an go see Grey Gardens one more time before it closes. If I do, you, dear reader, will be among the first to know.
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