Photo Coverage: Xanadu Press Rehearsal

The first musical of the new Broadway season, Xanadu, opens on Tuesday, June 26, 2007 at Broadway's Helen Hayes Theatre (240 West 44th Street) after beginning previews on May 23rd.

Douglas Carter Beane has written the book for Xanadu based on the film of the same name. The score will include the hits, "Magic," "Xanadu," "Party All Over the World" and "I'm Alive" -- all top 20 Billboard hits. The score was written by Jeff Lynne and John Farrar. Lynne wrote and produced all of the music of Electric Light Orchestra (E.L.O). Farrar was also responsible for most of the hits that were performed by Olivia Newton-John in the 1970's. Christopher Ashley will direct with choreography by Dan Knechtges.

"This musical myth, set in the year 1980, tells the story of one of the nine muses of ancient Greece  who comes to earth to inspire the greatest of artistic achievements – a roller disco.  Along the way she falls in love, bumps into an old acquaintance and for the first time, feels the desire to create herself," according to press materials.  Starring Kerry Butler as "Kira" (played in the film version by Olivia Newton-John), James Carpinello as "Sonny," Tony Roberts as "Danny" (played in the film version by Gene Kelly), and Jackie Hoffman and Mary Testa as the evil Muses "Calliope" and "Melpomene," respectively, Xanadu's cast also features Curtis Holbrook, Anika Larsen, Kenita Miller and Andre Ward.

Visit www.xanaduonbroadway.com for more information.

James Carpinello with (background) Kenita R. Miller, Curtis Holbrook, Anika Larsen, Andre Ward, Mary Testa and Jackie Hoffman

Curtis Holbrook, Andre Ward, Mary Testa and Jackie Hoffman

Curtis Holbrook, Mary Testa and Jackie Hoffman

Andre Ward and Curtis Holbrook

Kerry Butler

Kenita R. Miller, Kerry Butler, Anika Larsen, Mary Testa and Andre Ward

Kerry Butler, lifted by Curtis Holbrook and Andre Ward, with Jackie Hoffman

Kerry Butler, with Anika Larsen, Kenita R. Miller, Curtis Holbrook, Andre Ward and Jackie Hoffman

Kerry Butler, with (clockwise) Anika Larsen, Mary Testa, Andre Ward, Jackie Hoffman and Kenita R. Miller

(clockwise) Anika Larsen, Mary Testa, Kerry Butler, Andre Ward, Jackie Hoffman and Kenita R. Miller

Anika Larsen, Mary Testa, Kerry Butler, Andre Ward, Kenita R. Miller and Jackie Hoffman

Kerry Butler, Curtis Holbrook, Anika Larsen, Jackie Hoffman, Mary Testa and Kenita R. Miller

Andre Ward and ensemble

Kerry Butler and James Carpinello

Kerry Butler and James Carpinello

Kerry Butler and James Carpinello

Kerry Butler and James Carpinello

Kerry Butler and Tony Roberts

Tony Roberts, Kerry Butler and Curtis Holbrook

Curtis Holbrook and Kerry Butler

Tony Roberts

Tony Roberts and Kerry Butler

Kerry Butler and Tony Roberts

Director Christopher Ashley

Jackie Hoffman and ensemble

Jackie Hoffman with Mary Testa and ensemble

Mary Testa, Jackie Hoffman and ensemble

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