Xanadu 2007 - Articles Page 4

Opened: July 10, 2007
Closing: September 28, 2008

Xanadu - 2007 - Broadway History , Info & More

Xanadu, a stage musical adaptation of the 1980 film, features a book by Douglas Carter Beane and music by Jeff Lynne and John Farrar. The show humorously revisits the original film's story, focusing on a Greek muse's journey to Venice Beach, California, to inspire a struggling artist to achieve the greatest artistic creation of all time: a roller disco. Since its Broadway debut in 2007, Xanadu has been celebrated for its clever satire, catchy disco-era tunes, and roller-skating choreography, earning several Tony Award nominations and acclaim for its joyful, uplifting experience.



Based on the Universal Pictures cult classic movie of the same title, which starred Olivia Newton-John and Gene Kelly, Xanadu is hilarity on wheels for adults, children and anyone who has ever wanted to feel inspired.



Xanadu follows the journey of a magical and beautiful Greek muse, Kira, who descends from the heavens of Mount Olympus to Venice Beach, California in 1980 on a quest to inspire a struggling artist, Sonny, to achieve the greatest artistic creation of all time – the first ROLLER DISCO! (Hey, it's 1980!) But, when Kira falls into forbidden love with the mortal Sonny, her jealous sisters take advantage of the situation, and chaos abounds.


Xanadu - 2007 - Broadway Cast

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Xanadu - 2007 - Broadway Articles Page 4

STAGE TUBE: On This Day for 6/4/16- Mary Testa
by Nicole Rosky - Jun 4, 2016


Happy Birthday, Mary Testa! Testa is a two-time Tony Award nominee, for performances in revivals of Leonard Bernstein's On the Town (1998) and 42nd Street (2001). She made her debut as Miss Goldberg in William Finn's one-act musical In Trousers (1979), part one of his 'Marvin Trilogy,' winning audiences over with her rendition of 'Set Those Sails' and 'I Am Wearing a Hat,' as well as 'The Rape of Miss Goldberg by Marvin.' She returned to Broadway in July, 2007 in the musical-theater remake of the 1980 film Xanadu for which she received a Drama Desk Award nomination.

*Photos & Video* BWW Sydney Gets A Preview of XANADU THE MUSICAL At Hayes Theatre
by Jade Kops - May 13, 2016


*Photos & Video* BWW Sydney Gets A Preview of XANADU THE MUSICAL

Penny Seats Theatre Company to Present THE CANTERBURY TALES & XANADU This Summer
by Tyler Peterson - May 3, 2016


Ann Arbor's Penny Seats Theatre Company is set to open its sixth summer season at West Park, performing outdoor professional theatre at movie-ticket prices, on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays throughout June and July. This year, the group's season will open with a modern adaption of Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales (by Lindsay Price), followed by the 2007 Broadway musical smash, Xanadu (based on the 1980 cult classic movie of the same name), with a book by Douglas Carter Beane and music and lyrics by Jeff Lynne and John Farrar.

Harriet Harris & Patrick Kerr to Lead World Premiere of Joe DiPietro's HOLLYWOOD at La Jolla Playhouse
by Tyler Peterson - Mar 28, 2016


La Jolla Playhouse has announced the cast and creative team for its world-premiere production of Hollywood, by Tony Award winner Joe DiPietro (Memphis, Chasing the Song) directed by Playhouse Artistic Director Christopher Ashley.

XANADU THE MUSICAL Skates into Sydney
by Sally Henry Fuller - Jan 23, 2016


?Matthew Management in association with Hayes Theatre Co today announced the cast of the smash-hit Broadway musical comedy XANADU, based on the 1980s classic cult movie, which plays in Sydney from Thursday 12 May 2016 for a strictly limited season.

MaryJoanna Grisso, Austin Colby, Natascia Diaz and More Star in Signature Theatre's WEST SIDE STORY, Beginning Tonight
by BWW News Desk - Dec 8, 2015


Signature Theatre presents WEST SIDE STORY, directed by Signature Associate Artistic Director Matthew Gardiner (Signature's Sunday in the Park with George, Cabaret). The musical, a collaboration of music, dance and theater giants Leonard Bernstein, Stephen Sondheim, Jerome Robbins and Arthur Laurents, is considered by some to be one of the greatest musicals of all time. WEST SIDE STORY will run from tonight, December 8 - January 24 in Signature Theatre's intimate MAX Theatre.

World Premieres from Tony & Pulitzer Prize Winners on Tap for La Jolla Playhouse's 2016-17 Season
by Tyler Peterson - Nov 16, 2015


La Jolla Playhouse, nationally-renowned for its development of new work, has announced four world-premiere productions for the 2016/2017 season, including works by Tony Award winner Joe DiPietro, Pulitzer Prize winners Quiara Alegria Hudes and Ayad Akhtar, and 2014 Barrie and Bernice Stavis Playwriting Award winner Jeff Augustin.

Ann Arbor's Penny Seats Theatre Company Kicks off 2016 season with JACQUES BREL
by Robert Diamond - Nov 6, 2015


?The Penny Seats return to the stage this upcoming winter for Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris, a musical revue of the songs of Jacques Brel, translated into English by Eric Blau and Mort Shuman. The show kicks off the sixth season for The Penny Seats and will run on Thursdays February 11th, 18th, 25th, and March 3rd, at Conor O'Neill's Irish Pub and Restaurant, 318 South Main Street, Ann Arbor. The two companies are partnering to offer a dinner theatre-style show, with dinner seatings available starting at 6:00 pm, and performances each night at 7:30pm. Audience members can purchase tickets for the dinner-and-show package for just $20, or for the show only, for $10. Advance tickets (which are encouraged) are available online at www.pennyseats.org or by phone at (734) 926-5346.

MaryJoanna Grisso, Austin Colby, Natascia Diaz and More to Star in Signature Theatre's WEST SIDE STORY; Full Cast Announced!
by BWW News Desk - Nov 6, 2015


Signature Theatre has announced the cast of WEST SIDE STORY, directed by Signature Associate Artistic Director Matthew Gardiner (Signature's Sunday in the Park with George, Cabaret). The musical, a collaboration of music, dance and theater giants Leonard Bernstein, Stephen Sondheim, Jerome Robbins and Arthur Laurents, is considered by some to be one of the greatest musicals of all time. WEST SIDE STORY will run from December 8 - January 24 in Signature Theatre's intimate MAX Theatre.

UK Premiere of XANADU Skates Into Southwark Playhouse Tonight
by BWW News Desk - Nov 3, 2015


The UK Premiere of the smash-hit Broadway musical comedy, XANADU, based on the 1980s classic cult movie, comes to Southwark Playhouse this autumn. Press night is slated for tonight, 3 November 2015 at 7.30pm; the show runs now through Saturday 21 November 2015, presented by Xanadu Theatre Productions Limited.

UK Premiere of XANADU Skates Into Southwark Playhouse Tonight
by BWW News Desk - Oct 16, 2015


The UK Premiere of the smash-hit Broadway musical comedy, XANADU, based on the 1980s classic cult movie, comes to Southwark Playhouse this autumn. Press night is slated for Tuesday, 3 November 2015 at 7.30pm; the show runs tonight 16 October - Saturday 21 November 2015, presented by Xanadu Theatre Productions Limited.

XANADU's Eddie Mekka Set for TalkBack Tonight at FGCU Theatre Lab
by BWW News Desk - Oct 9, 2015


Broadway, film and television comedy great Eddie Mekka kicks off TheatreZone's debut TalkBack, tonight, October 9, following the evening performance of the musical fantasy XANADU in the FGCU Theatre Lab. The 60-minute TalkBack is estimated to begin at 9:45 pm.

BWW Interview: Kyle Dean Massey Headlines The COPA Palm Springs with Songs He Never Gets to Sing
by David Green - Oct 8, 2015


Pippin and Next To Normal's Kyle Dean Massey headlines The Copa Palm Springs for one very special performance, October 9, at 8 pm in an intimate Cabaret that features "songs he loves but he's never had the opportunity to sing". Massey first joined the North American touring production of Wicked in 2007, as part of the ensemble and understudy for the lead role of Fiyero, before joining the Broadway production. He played Thalia in Broadway's Xanadu and Matthew in Off-Broadway's Altar Boyz as well as the role of Gabe in the Broadway musical Next to Normal, staying with the show until it closed in January 2011. He then returned to Broadway's Wicked in the leading role of Fiyero and  assumed the title role in the Broadway revival of Pippin.He was also featured in a recurring role as openly gay country star Kevin Bicks in the ABC television series Nashville. I had the chance to chat with Kyle as he was preparing for his Copa Concert, Here are a few excerpts from that conversation:

XANADU's Eddie Mekka Set for TalkBack This Friday at FGCU Theatre Lab
by BWW News Desk - Oct 6, 2015


Broadway, film and television comedy great Eddie Mekka kicks off TheatreZone's debut TalkBack, Friday, October 9, following the evening performance of the musical fantasy XANADU in the FGCU Theatre Lab. The 60-minute TalkBack is estimated to begin at 9:45 pm.

Tony Nominee Kerry Butler Makes Provincetown Debut This Weekend
by BWW News Desk - Aug 14, 2015


Tony Award Nominee Kerry Butler, star of 'Xanadu,' 'Rock of Ages,' 'Hairspray' & 'Catch Me If You Can' will make her Provincetown debut this weekend, August 14 & 15 at 7:00 PM, featuring series host and SiriusXM radio star Seth Rudetsky at the piano.

Carly Anderson & Samuel Edwards to Lead UK Premiere of XANADU at Southwark Playhouse
by Tyler Peterson - Aug 12, 2015


Casting is announced today for the UK Premiere of the smash-hit Broadway musical comedy Xanadu.

Tony Nominee Kerry Butler to Make Provincetown Debut Next Weekend
by BWW News Desk - Aug 6, 2015


Tony Award Nominee Kerry Butler, star of 'Xanadu,' 'Rock of Ages,' 'Hairspray' & 'Catch Me If You Can' will make her Provincetown debut on August 14 & 15 at 7:00 PM, featuring series host and SiriusXM radio star Seth Rudetsky at the piano.

Adam McKay Teams with Funny Or Die for Broadway-Bound ARCHIE Musical
by Nicole Rosky - Aug 5, 2015


Writer/Director Adam McKay (Anchorman, Talladega Nights, You're Welcome America) and Funny Or Die have joined forces with Archie Comics,one of the most popular comics ever produced, to bring Archie, Betty, Veronica, Jughead and the Riverdale gang to Broadway in an all-new musical.  McKay is slated to bring his singular brand of comedy to the musical, writing the book for the show, with a creative team and timing for a New York run to be announced at a later date.

STAGE TUBE: On This Day for 7/10/15- XANADU
by Nicole Rosky - Jul 10, 2015


Today in 2007, Xanadu opened at the Helen Hayes Theatre, where it ran for 512 performances. Xanadu is a musical comedy with a book by Douglas Carter Beane and music and lyrics by Jeff Lynne and John Farrar, based on the 1980 cult classic film of the same name. The story of the musical focuses on a Greek muse, Clio, who descends from Mt. Olympus to Venice Beach, California, in 1980 on a quest to inspire a struggling artist, Sonny, to achieve the greatest creation of his life - a roller disco. It earned an Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Musical and a Drama Desk Award for Best Book. It was also nominated for Tony Awards for Best Musical and Best Book.

Tony Nominee Eddie Mekka to Star in XANADU at TheatreZone
by Tyler Peterson - Jun 12, 2015


Tony-nominated actor Eddie Mekka is returning to TheatreZone in October 2015 to star in Xanadu, the 2007 Broadway musical version of the cult 1980 film about a woman who makes dreams come true, today announced Artistic Director Mark Danni.

STAGE TUBE: On This Day for 6/4/15- Mary Testa
by Nicole Rosky - Jun 4, 2015


Happy Birthday, Mary Testa! Testa is a two-time Tony Award nominee, for performances in revivals of Leonard Bernstein's On the Town (1998) and 42nd Street (2001). She made her debut as Miss Goldberg in William Finn's one-act musical In Trousers (1979), part one of his 'Marvin Trilogy,' winning audiences over with her rendition of 'Set Those Sails' and 'I Am Wearing a Hat,' as well as 'The Rape of Miss Goldberg by Marvin.' She returned to Broadway in July, 2007 in the musical-theater remake of the 1980 film Xanadu for which she received a Drama Desk Award nomination.

UK Premiere of XANADU Skates Into Southwark Playhouse This Autumn
by BWW News Desk - Jun 3, 2015


The UK Premiere of the smash-hit Broadway musical comedy, XANADU, based on the 1980s classic cult movie, comes to Southwark Playhouse this autumn. Press night is slated for Tuesday, 3 November 2015 at 7.30pm; the show runs Friday 16 October - Saturday 21 November 2015, presented by Xanadu Theatre Productions Limited. 

Breaking News: Jenn Colella, Chad Kimball, Rodney Hicks & More Set for New Musical COME FROM AWAY at La Jolla
by Robert Diamond - Apr 19, 2015


This just in! La Jolla Playhouse has announced the cast and creative team for its season opener, the world-premiere musical Come from Away, featuring book, music and lyrics by the Canadian husband-and-wife team Irene Sankoff and David Hein (My Mother's Lesbian Jewish Wiccan Wedding), directed by Playhouse Artistic Director Christopher Ashley. A co-production with Seattle Repertory Theatre, Come from Away will run May 29 - July 5 in the Sheila and Hughes Potiker Theatre (press opening Thursday, June 11).

Brown, Daniele, Hunter, Knechtges, Prince & More Set for New York Theatre Barn's 'GOTTA DANCE' Choreography Panel, 5/3
by BWW News Desk - Apr 10, 2015


On May 3, 2015 at 2pm, New York Theatre Barn (Theatre Barn) presents its exclusive Spring Benefit - a one-time only presentation of Gotta Dance: A Choreography Conversation at Symphony Space, 2537 Broadway at 95th Street.

Dallas Theater Center Presents Rolling World Premiere of COLOSSAL, Now thru 5/3
by BWW News Desk - Apr 2, 2015


?Dallas Theater Center announced today complete details for the rolling world premiere of Colossal, a new play by Andrew Hinderaker. DTC artistic director Kevin Moriarty directs the Kennedy Center Jean Kennedy Smith Playwriting Award-winning play, which is choreographed by founder and artistic director of Dark Circles Contemporary Dance Joshua L. Peugh. Colossal begins with previews tonight, April 2 with a Pay-What-You-Can performance and runs through Sunday, May 3.

Other Productions of Xanadu

2006   New York Reading
New York
2007   Broadway Original Broadway Production
Broadway
2010   US Tour National Tour
US Tour

Xanadu - 2007 Broadway Awards and Nominations

Note: Award winners will appear on a background
Year Ceremony Category Nominee
2007 Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Musical Xanadu

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