XANADU 30TH ANNIVERSARY (unofficial) SCREENING October 15th 2010 at the Alex Theater in Glendale, CA
If you have been keeping track of such things, not only was 2010 the big 3-0 for Xanadu, it had an unofficial screening to mark this historic mile post. This little party was once again provided by Heather Hoban and obviously a good time was had by all. The only difference was that there were no live dancers during the Dancin’ number and there was a much larger pre-show program.
As per usual, yours truly was there to have the good time, take pictures and take some mental notes for this web site. Unfortunately, you may have noticed that…..well…...I haven’t set up a page for this event like I did with the 25th anniversary show. To be honest, things have been busy in Xanadu and non-Xanadu areas of mine and, well, again, I’ve been a bit too lazy about it. My bad, indeed!
Luckily, YouTube user billdmorgan had the brilliant idea to sneak in a camera and a tripod and filmed the pre-show for posterity or YouTube copyright violations, which ever comes first. Thus, to take the pressure off my shoulders and make it easy on you, here are the videos in order.
(NOTE: click on each PART banner to take you to each video on YouTube)
Even though there was no dancing with Dancin’ there were some at the start of the show, courtesy of Xanadu dancer Darcel and her dancin’ crew. The performance became so infectious that Ms. Kelly went on stage and joined in. Darcel had a large presence at the show as she also had an elaborate table in the theater lobby selling her autobiography book and brochures for her Funk Fusion classes. Here’s a chunk of her performance.
Host Marc Edward Heuck introduces Gene Kelly’s widow Patricia Ward Kelly. She tells amazing stories of one amazing man. Quite a highlight!
Heuk introduced the first of many of Xanadu’s cast and crew onto the stage. There were so many names that I felt intimidated to remember them all…...and I was audio recording this insanity with my mp3 player!
Adding insult to injury to my unprofessional note taking ability, Heuk brings out even more cast and crew survivors! Can you stand it!?!?
We now head into the costume contest. Even more fun was had, especially when the winner had to be escorted on and off the stage by Ms. Kelly. What troopers! Note a small stage appearance by Heather.
At this point, the trailer and movie was shown and as Marc mentioned, the movie an original slightly warn 1980 print WITH DOLBY STEREO SOUND!!! First time ever!! Though there were not much singing along with the songs during this screening, Suspended In Time did create a special moment with the audience; while Olivia sang her blissful heart out, a good chunk of the audience turned on her cell phones like a lighter and held it up high as this was a live concert. A funny and wonderful moment!
After the show was over, everybody gathered in the lobby for general meet and greet and some ended up the local In-n-Out Burger.
The following are a small selection of pictures I took during the event, including the small army of Xanadu t-shirts.
Thanks to Heather for the screening, Marc for the hosting duties and to Ms. Kelly for being a trooper by putting up with this Xanadu fandom jazz.
See ya at number…...should we and a film copy of Xanadu survive by then.
Don-O
