Kerry Butler to Star in Xanadu, Opening Set for June 26
By: BWW News Desk Mar. 02, 2007
Producers Robert Ahrens, Tara Smith and Brian Swibel have announced that Kerry Butler will star as Kira in the new production of the musical XANADU. The production will be the first musical of the new Broadway season opening on Tuesday, June 26th with previews starting on May 23rd.
XANADU will be presented at the Helen Hayes Theatre, 240 West 44th Street.Douglas Carter Beene has written the book with all of the music coming from the film version including the hit songs "Magic", "Xanadu", "Party All Over the World" and "I'm Alive" all top 20 Billboard hits. Score was written by John Farrar and Jeff Lynne. Lynne wrote and produced all of the Electric Light Orchestra (E.L.O). Farrar was also responsible for most of the hits that were performed by Olivia Newton-John in the 1980's. Christopher Ashley will direct.Kerry created the role of Kira in the first reading of XANADU. Because of conflicting schedules with other productions, Ms. Butler was not available until now. "Lead producer Ahrens said Kerry Butler was our first choice and we are thrilled that her schedule has now opened up to join our production". Ms. Butler recently starred in a workshop production of "The Opposite of Sex" which also was performed at the Williamstown Theatre Festival. She starred on Broadway in "Little Shop of Horrors" as Audrey and also in "Hairspray" "Beauty and the Beast", "Hairspray" and "Les Miserables". Her off Broadway starring roles have included "Bat Boy: The Musical" and she recently appeared as a contract role on the ABC soap opera "One Life to Live".Videos
