BWW Interviews: XANADU's Chris Critelli and Gina Milo at Drury Lane

The '80s are back, courtesy of Drury Lane Theatre's production of the Broadway hit "Xanadu." Based on the 1980 flop that feature Olivia Newton John and a score by Electric Light Orchestra, the show's neon lights will shine through Oct. 28. We caught up with stars Gina Milo and Chris Critelli, who play the muse Clio and the struggling artist Sonny respectively, to talk about all things '80s.  

Q: The film “Xanadu” is considered by many to be a guilty pleasure, what’s your guilty pleasure?

Gina Milo: My guilty pleasure is anything with sugar. Cupcake, cookies, ice cream, I don't discriminate. I don’t allow myself to eat sugar when I'm doing shows, but when I'm not, look out!. 

Chris Critelli: I'd have to say my guilty pleasure is greasy, disgusting street food in New York. The kind of stuff you get late at night. I’ll never stop loving it.

Q: What was your reaction to the film when you first saw it?

GM: The first time I saw it was after I got cast. It’s pretty bad. It’s awful in a kind of wonderful-awful way. You have to keep watching because it’s so awful. We hadn't even had the first rehearsal and I was thinking 'Oh, my God, what have I gotten myself into." 

CC: I was the same. I first saw it when I was preparing for the show a few months ago. It was hard to get through. The film 'Xanadu' is a journey, but it's not an easy one to take. It's got great music, but it hard to hear it over the sound of Gene Kelly spinning in his grave. You can see in the film that he is delivering every line with gritted teeth. You can almost hear him thinking 'I can't believe this is really going to be the last movie I’m ever going to make.'

Q:Why does the film and musical have such a cult following?

GM: I think for a lot of people, the film represents freedom. There is a lot of freedom in it. Individuality, sexuality. So many abstract things happening in it. When I watch it, I see all these different types of people in the ensemble. Everybody belongs in Xanadu and that maakes you feel accepted, too.

CC: I've got to say it's mostly the short shorts my character wears [laughs]. Seriously, though. The film and subsequently now the musical really tap into the pulse and energy of the era. You can't think of the '80s and not think of the pop music of the era and this show has got it.  'Xanadu' is all about the music, the colors and the pure joy that the decade represented. 

Q: The show both celebrates and lampoons the ‘80s. What is one thing from that era you’d like to see make a comeback and why?

GM: Leg warmers all the way. When I got cast, my husband was most excited about the leg warmers. I couldn't understand why until I put them on. They are really sexy, surprisingly. They're slouchy-sexy, if I can coin a phrase. 

CC: Deloreons, of course. Especially the flying kind! It is such a ridiculous car. With the way the doors open, you can't park them anywhere. So, yeah. Deloreons. 

Q: Conversely, what’s one thing that should stay buried in that time capsule forever?

GM: I would say the garish make up. It was pretty intense. Hot pink is fine on your clothes, but not on your face.

CC: Crimped hair. It is so silly. Crimped hair needs to be locked in a vault in the dark somewhere.

Q: What attracted you to your respective roles?

GM: There were a couple of things. It's a great vehicle for a quirky girl like me. I usually get cast as the sidekick. This is one of the few shows where you can be quirky and still be the lead. Secondly, I admired Olivia Newton John. To mimic her is a dream come true for the five year old in me.

CC: It’s just pure joy. I get to have fun, sing awesome '80s pop rock and be funny for two hours. The score is amazing and I'm fortunate to get to sing it. You forget the hits ELO wrote. It's the same reaction I had with J'ersey Boys.' You forgot about their incredible music catalaog. Their music was soundtrack of people'slives back in the day for a reason. It's great.

Misha Davenport is a Chicago-based freelance writer, blogger, critic and singer. He studied playwriting at Michigan State University under the late Arthur Athanason. He has been covering theater in the Windy City for more than a decade at the Chicago Sun-Times and currently as a contributor to BroadwayWorld.com. He sits on the board of the not-for-profit arts group Chicago Gay Men's Chorus and resides in Rogers Park, just steps away from the emerging theater district located there. He is a fierce advocate and lover of live theater from shows in 50-seat storefronts to big Broadway blockbusters.

More Articles by This Author...