As previously announced, the cast will be led by Kerry Butler as Kira; James Carpinello as Sonny; Tony Roberts as Danny; Mary Testa as Melpomeny, the evil muse of tragedy; and Jackie Hoffman as Calliope, the muse of epic.
The ensemble, according to a spokesperson for the production, will include Curtis Holbrook, Anika Larsen, Kenita R. Miller, Andre Ward and Marty Thomas.
Curtis Holbrook's Broadway credits include Fosse, Taboo, The Boy From Oz and All Shook Up. Anika Larsen has been seen on Broadway in All Shook Up and Rent and Off-Broadway in Zanna, Don't!. Kenita R. Miller played Celie in Broadway's The Color Purple and was part of the Off-Broadway productions of Dessa Rose and The Best of Both Worlds. Andrew Ward was recently seen in a production of Pippin as the Leading Player. Marty Thomas' Broadway credits include Wicked and The Secret Garden.
Directed by Christopher Ashley, Xanadu will feature choreography by Dan Knechtges and musical direction by Eric Stern. The design team will include David Gallo (set design), Howell Binkley (lighting design) and David Zinn (costume design).
Xanadu boasts a book by Little Dog Laughed playwright Douglas Carter Beane and utilizes songs from John Farrar and Jeff Lynne's film soundtrack. The musical, 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.
Tickets, which go on sale to the general public April 21, are priced $51.25-$111.25. Visit www.telecharge.com for more information.
The Helen Hayes Theatre is located in Manhattan at 240 West 44th Street.
