Xanadu Workshop — with Krakowski and Jackson — Presented Jan. 20-21

By Andrew Gans
20 Jan 2007

Jane Krakowski
Jane Krakowski
Photo by Ben Strothmann

A star-studded cast has been assembled for the Jan. 20-21 workshops of Xanadu, the new musical based on the film of the same name. The musical, as previously announced, will open on Broadway at the Helen Hayes Theatre May 7.

The cast for the workshop — Broadway casting has yet to be announced — includes Tony Award winner Jane Krakowski as Kira, the role created on screen by Olivia Newton-John; with Cheyenne Jackson, Tony Roberts, Mary Testa, Jackie Hoffman, Jen Cody, Darius de Haas, Tyler Maynard, David Tankersley and Marty Thomas.

Christopher Ashley directs the by-invitation-only workshops, which will be held at the Minetta Lane Theatre.

Previous readings of Xanadu, which features a book by Douglas Carter Beane and utilizes songs from the movie's soundtrack, were held April 21 and Aug. 3, 2006, in Manhattan. Eric Stern was musical director.

Xanadu, according to a recent casting notice, centers on "Kira, a Greek muse sent to Earth to inspire mortals and artists in Venice, CA, in the 1980's. While on earth, Kira falls in love with an artist when helping him realize his dreams."

The 1980 film "Xanadu" was written by Richard Christian Danus and Marc Reid Rubel and was directed by Robert Greenwald. Described as "a fantasy, a musical, a place where dreams come true," the film starred Olivia Newton-John, Gene Kelly, Michael Beck, James Sloyan, Dimitra Arliss, Katie Hanley, Fred McCarren and Ren Woods. Jeff Lynne and John Farrar composed the film's score.