James Carpinello Joins Xanadu Cast
By Andrew Gans
19 Mar 2007
Principal casting is now complete for the upcoming Broadway musical Xanadu. James Carpinello will portray Sonny in the new musical, which is scheduled to begin previews May 23 at the Helen Hayes Theatre with an official opening June 26.
Carpinello, who starred in the Broadway production of Saturday Night Fever, joins the previously announced Kerry Butler as Kira; Tony Roberts as Danny; Mary Testa as Melpomeny, the evil muse of tragedy; and Jackie Hoffman as Calliope, the muse of epic.
New to the creative team are David Zinn (costume designer) and Eric Stern (musical director).
Directed by Christopher Ashley, the musical will feature choreography by Dan Knechtges (The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, 110 in the Shade). The design team will also include Tony Award winners David Gallo (set design) and Howell Binkley (lighting design).
Xanadu features a book by Little Dog Laughed playwright Douglas Carter Beane and utilizes songs from John Farrar and Jeff Lynne's film soundtrack. Additional casting and ticket information will be announced at a later date.
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."
James Carpinello created the role of Tony Manero in the Broadway production of Saturday Night Fever. He was seen Off-Broadway in Stupid Kids, and his regional credits include Romeo and Juliet and The Tempest. His screen credits include "The Closer," "So noTORious," "The Great Raid," "The Punisher," "DeMarco Affairs," "Aces," "Mr. Life" and "Felicity."
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.
The Helen Hayes Theatre is located in Manhattan at 240 West 44th Street.
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