After the way the original creators of Xena bumbled the ending with a "Friend In Need," I was left wondering how Claudia Allen and Amy Matheny would bring our hero back to life. Well, they did and in grand fashion with the added element of Alti (played by Elizabeth Rich).

Yes, the one and only bad ass woman villain whose main goal was to be inside Xena brought her back, of course with the help of some good Xena episodes on VHS tape and a few hard-core nutballs. 'Good' episodes refers to those where Xena was alive and not shot full of arrows, beheaded and hung like a hunk of beef. Ahh ... Got to love that 'bold' Greater Good choice of TPTB (insert hurling sounds here).

To my surprise, and the audience's, the live show had a special treat and it added spice to the stew. While we were watching and listening to the grand voices singing creatively word-changed songs, in the background was the video of Elisabeth Laidlaw (Xena)and Amy Matheny (Gabrielle) in recreated scenes from the television show. Campfires, bathing together, sleeping, Xena sharpening her sword did I mention the bathing scene?

LOL! The videos floored me. It was like seeing the real thing and we should all thank DS Bauden for that. Yes, our very own Xenaverse published bard added that perfect spice.

Now how can the stage crew handle the problem of Gabrielle alone trying to move on with her life without Xena? Hmmm...

Easy. Amy, who was dressed like our Gabrielle, (she has the hair, abs and all), belted out the death song that Xena sung so many times over the years. Amy sung the exact words perfectly and with such beauty I had chills. (It's the song Lucy Lawless wrote in a language that still no one knows about.) Afterwards she dumped the ashes into the ocean and it was time for Gabrielle to move on. She was the warrior now.

What does every Warrior need? A sidekick!! And she got one: Synonymous (played by Patrick Sarb). A wet behind the ears, warrior struck, wannabe tripping over Gabrielle. Of course, Gabrielle's sidekick also has a hidden past. While Gabby is trying to say no to her future sidekick, Xena is in the Heavens with her Angel Gaybriel (played by Jason Vizza) with no memory of her death and thoughts only of her Gabrielle.

What freaks Xena out a bit is when Gaybriel informs her that Gabrielle has moved on and gotten her own tagalong. Now our hero needs to find out why and how to get back to her bard. Cue Ares (played by Gregory Thomas Isaac), who as always wants Xena. Xena blows him off, (they smooch then she kicks his ass) and Ares goes off to pout.

As usual, Gabrielle hears of a new cult, gulp, and she's off to right the wrongs. Screw Hestia people, it's now Praise Androgyny (played by Scott Duff) Androgyny and her followers??!!?? Umm, the Lamb, yeah you heard me, lamb! (played by Tom Taylor), the chicken (played by Dawn 'Sam' Alden), last but not least the pig (played by Lisa Velten).

It felt like being in a transvestite televangelist church for misfit farm animals. LOL! The singing and music will get you a tapping. In between all this funny excitement we get the actors coming to do live commercials. When we head back to our story, Ares is on Olympus boohooing to Aphrodite (played by Lisa Velten) about Xena.

Aphrodite and her pet Beaver (Yes, pet beaver) get sick of his whining and she pats him with her powder puff and sends him off to find his love and to forget about Xena. Now here's where I will tease and be mean...

If you want to know the rest of the story you will have get off your butts and go see, but let me tell you one more thing. What I didn't mention was heavy, HEAVY subtext, and more great music with awesome voices. Honey, they all can sing! There are battles, fight scenes, and so much humor you better pee before going in. Once you're in you cannot leave. Ares finds out that boys aren't that bad, and at one point Aphrodite's beaver comes to the rescue. (You heard me!!)

There is dancing, more videos, more commercials, did I mention humor and subtext yet? And it all ends better than a FanFiction story. The cast and creators took time out and studied their characters to a tee. Elizabeth not only looks like Xena, she has the voice and you will believe. This is a ninety minute wet dream for the truest of Xenites. Go see it! It is a must, and I say we chant for a part three! Xena lives and she's in Chicago live! Playing March 28th thru May 19th. Get off your butt and GO! Tickets are selling fast! Can we say selling out??? Hello!! Get your ass moving and see it! XENA LIVES!!!!!

Xena Live
Episode II
Xena Lives!!! The Musical!

Written by Claudia Allen
Directed by Scott Ferguson
Conceived by Amy Matheny (Goddess in Xenite form)
Starring Elizabeth Laidlaw as Xena (Tall, dark, sexy. Shit she is Xena!)
Amy Matheny as Gabrielle (She's got Gab's ab's! Hello!)

Brought to you by:
About Face Theatre
3212 N. Broadway in Chicago, IL
For information call 773_784_8565
http://Xenalive.com
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/XenaLive/

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