I think he once posed nude in Playgirl.Penelope wrote:Oh, my, even if it were a horrible show, I'd still pay $100 just to see Cheyenne Jackson's legs.
Xanadu comes to Broadway - A sign of the apocalypse?
Oh, my, even if it were a horrible show, I'd still pay $100 just to see Cheyenne Jackson's legs.
"...it is the weak who are cruel, and...gentleness is only to be expected from the strong." - Leo Reston
"Cruelty might be very human, and it might be cultural, but it's not acceptable." - Jodie Foster
"Cruelty might be very human, and it might be cultural, but it's not acceptable." - Jodie Foster
Xanadu Breaks Helen Hayes Box-Office Record
By Andrew Gans
12 Jul 2007
On July 11, the day after the new musical Xanadu opened to extremely positive reviews in both the New York Times and Variety, the musical broke a box-office record at the Helen Hayes Theatre.
Variety reports that the new musical, based on the 1980 flop film of the same name, took in $150,000 at the box office that day. Not a record-breaking sum for most theatres, but the intimate Helen Hayes seats only 579.
It was a long road to opening night for the production, which was embraced by many critics and has audiences cheering nightly. The July 11 performance, in fact, was sold out.
Xanadu began previews May 23, co-starring Kerry Butler as Kira and James Carpinello as Sonny, the roles originated on screen by, respectively, Olivia Newton-John and Michael Beck. On June 12 Carpinello injured his foot while roller skating during a rehearsal; two days later, it was announced that Cheyenne Jackson — who starred in the Elvis Presley-inspired musical All Shook Up — would temporarily replace Carpinello, who plans to return to the show at some point. It is Jackson, however, who opened the show.
Butler and Jackson are joined onstage by Tony Roberts as Danny Maguire/Zeus, Curtis Holbrook as Thalia, Anika Larsen as Euterpe, Kenita Miller as Erato, Mary Testa as Melpomene/Medusa, Jackie Hoffman as Calliope/Aphrodite, André Ward as Terpsicore and Marty Thomas as a Featured Skater. (Actress Miller sustained a minor ankle injury during previews, but she is now back in the production — currently singing back-up vocals until she recovers fully; her role is temporarily being played by Patti Murin.)
Directed by Christopher Ashley, Xanadu features choreography by Dan Knechtges and musical direction and arrangements by Eric Stern. The design team includes David Gallo (scenic design), Howell Binkley (lighting design), David Zinn (costume design), T. Richard Fitzgerald and Carl Casella (sound design), Zachary Borovay (projections design) and Charles LePoint (wig and hair design). John Miller is music coordinator.
Xanadu boasts a book by Little Dog Laughed playwright Douglas Carter Beane — a 2007 Tony Award nominee — and utilizes songs from John Farrar and Jeff Lynne's film soundtrack. The musical, according to press notes, "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."
The performance schedule is Tuesday-Saturday at 8 PM, Saturday at 2 PM and Sunday at 3 PM.
The Helen Hayes Theatre is located in Manhattan at 240 West 44th Street.
By Andrew Gans
12 Jul 2007
On July 11, the day after the new musical Xanadu opened to extremely positive reviews in both the New York Times and Variety, the musical broke a box-office record at the Helen Hayes Theatre.
Variety reports that the new musical, based on the 1980 flop film of the same name, took in $150,000 at the box office that day. Not a record-breaking sum for most theatres, but the intimate Helen Hayes seats only 579.
It was a long road to opening night for the production, which was embraced by many critics and has audiences cheering nightly. The July 11 performance, in fact, was sold out.
Xanadu began previews May 23, co-starring Kerry Butler as Kira and James Carpinello as Sonny, the roles originated on screen by, respectively, Olivia Newton-John and Michael Beck. On June 12 Carpinello injured his foot while roller skating during a rehearsal; two days later, it was announced that Cheyenne Jackson — who starred in the Elvis Presley-inspired musical All Shook Up — would temporarily replace Carpinello, who plans to return to the show at some point. It is Jackson, however, who opened the show.
Butler and Jackson are joined onstage by Tony Roberts as Danny Maguire/Zeus, Curtis Holbrook as Thalia, Anika Larsen as Euterpe, Kenita Miller as Erato, Mary Testa as Melpomene/Medusa, Jackie Hoffman as Calliope/Aphrodite, André Ward as Terpsicore and Marty Thomas as a Featured Skater. (Actress Miller sustained a minor ankle injury during previews, but she is now back in the production — currently singing back-up vocals until she recovers fully; her role is temporarily being played by Patti Murin.)
Directed by Christopher Ashley, Xanadu features choreography by Dan Knechtges and musical direction and arrangements by Eric Stern. The design team includes David Gallo (scenic design), Howell Binkley (lighting design), David Zinn (costume design), T. Richard Fitzgerald and Carl Casella (sound design), Zachary Borovay (projections design) and Charles LePoint (wig and hair design). John Miller is music coordinator.
Xanadu boasts a book by Little Dog Laughed playwright Douglas Carter Beane — a 2007 Tony Award nominee — and utilizes songs from John Farrar and Jeff Lynne's film soundtrack. The musical, according to press notes, "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."
The performance schedule is Tuesday-Saturday at 8 PM, Saturday at 2 PM and Sunday at 3 PM.
The Helen Hayes Theatre is located in Manhattan at 240 West 44th Street.
"...it is the weak who are cruel, and...gentleness is only to be expected from the strong." - Leo Reston
"Cruelty might be very human, and it might be cultural, but it's not acceptable." - Jodie Foster
"Cruelty might be very human, and it might be cultural, but it's not acceptable." - Jodie Foster
Cheyenne Jackson to the rescue!
Uber-sexy out gay actor Cheyenne Jackson, who starred in a workshop production of Xanadu, will step into the role of Sonny in the Broadway production of the musical based on the film of the same name.
Jackson succeeds James Carpinello, who was injured during a June 12 rehearsal of the musical, which is currently in previews at the Helen Hayes Theatre. Jackson will begin performances on June 22.
In a statement Jackson said, "I'm excited to join the cast of Xanadu while James Carpinello recovers — my heart goes out to him, as he spent months working on this project, only to be injured so close to opening night. I am honored to borrow his skates. I owe a lot to (director) Christopher Ashley & (writer) Douglas Carter Beane and would gladly paint their apartments if they called and asked."
Xanadu lead producer Robert Ahrens added, "After difficult days for James and the company, I am pleased to welcome Cheyenne. Stepping in on such short notice exemplifies the true Broadway spirit."
A new opening date for Xanadu will be announced shortly.
Andre Ward, Carpinello's understudy who usually plays the part of Terpsicore, assumed the role of Sonny at the June 12 evening performance. Ward will play the role until Jackson joins the company.
Cheyenne Jackson, who was seen in the film "United 93," has appeared on Broadway in All Shook Up, Aida and Thoroughly Modern Millie. He starred in the premiere cast of Altar Boyz, and his regional credits include West Side Story, The Most Happy Fella, Children of Eden, Hair, Carousel, Damn Yankees and Kismet. Jackson is a member of the Broadway Inspirational Voices and was recently seen Off-Broadway in The Agony and the Agony.
*
Xanadu began previews at Broadway's Helen Hayes Theatre May 23. The cast also features Kerry Butler as Kira, Tony Roberts as Danny Maguire/Zeus, Curtis Holbrook as Thalia, Anika Larsen as Euterpe, Kenita Miller as Erato, Mary Testa as Melpomene/Medusa, Jackie Hoffman as Calliope/Aphrodite, André Ward as Terpsicore and Marty Thomas as a Featured Skater.
Directed by Christopher Ashley, Xanadu features choreography by Dan Knechtges and musical direction and arrangements by Eric Stern. The design team includes David Gallo (scenic design), Howell Binkley (lighting design), David Zinn (costume design), T. Richard Fitzgerald and Carl Casella (sound design), Zachary Borovay (projections design) and Charles LePoint (wig and hair design). John Miller is music coordinator.
Xanadu boasts a book by Little Dog Laughed playwright Douglas Carter Beane — a 2007 Tony Award nominee — and utilizes songs from John Farrar and Jeff Lynne's film soundtrack. The musical, according to press notes, "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."
Xanadu, which is performed without an intermission, features the songs "I'm Alive," "Magic," "Evil Woman," "Suddenly," "Whenever You're Away From Me," "Dancin'," "Strange Music," "All Over the World," "Don't Walk Away," "Fool," "The Fall," "Suspended in Time," "Have You Never Been Mellow?" and "Xanadu."
The 1980 film "Xanadu" was written by Richard Christian Danus and Marc Reid Rubel and was directed by Robert Greenwald.
The performance schedule is Tuesday-Saturday at 8 PM, Saturday at 2 PM and Sunday at 3 PM.
The Helen Hayes Theatre is located in Manhattan at 240 West 44th Street.
Uber-sexy out gay actor Cheyenne Jackson, who starred in a workshop production of Xanadu, will step into the role of Sonny in the Broadway production of the musical based on the film of the same name.
Jackson succeeds James Carpinello, who was injured during a June 12 rehearsal of the musical, which is currently in previews at the Helen Hayes Theatre. Jackson will begin performances on June 22.
In a statement Jackson said, "I'm excited to join the cast of Xanadu while James Carpinello recovers — my heart goes out to him, as he spent months working on this project, only to be injured so close to opening night. I am honored to borrow his skates. I owe a lot to (director) Christopher Ashley & (writer) Douglas Carter Beane and would gladly paint their apartments if they called and asked."
Xanadu lead producer Robert Ahrens added, "After difficult days for James and the company, I am pleased to welcome Cheyenne. Stepping in on such short notice exemplifies the true Broadway spirit."
A new opening date for Xanadu will be announced shortly.
Andre Ward, Carpinello's understudy who usually plays the part of Terpsicore, assumed the role of Sonny at the June 12 evening performance. Ward will play the role until Jackson joins the company.
Cheyenne Jackson, who was seen in the film "United 93," has appeared on Broadway in All Shook Up, Aida and Thoroughly Modern Millie. He starred in the premiere cast of Altar Boyz, and his regional credits include West Side Story, The Most Happy Fella, Children of Eden, Hair, Carousel, Damn Yankees and Kismet. Jackson is a member of the Broadway Inspirational Voices and was recently seen Off-Broadway in The Agony and the Agony.
*
Xanadu began previews at Broadway's Helen Hayes Theatre May 23. The cast also features Kerry Butler as Kira, Tony Roberts as Danny Maguire/Zeus, Curtis Holbrook as Thalia, Anika Larsen as Euterpe, Kenita Miller as Erato, Mary Testa as Melpomene/Medusa, Jackie Hoffman as Calliope/Aphrodite, André Ward as Terpsicore and Marty Thomas as a Featured Skater.
Directed by Christopher Ashley, Xanadu features choreography by Dan Knechtges and musical direction and arrangements by Eric Stern. The design team includes David Gallo (scenic design), Howell Binkley (lighting design), David Zinn (costume design), T. Richard Fitzgerald and Carl Casella (sound design), Zachary Borovay (projections design) and Charles LePoint (wig and hair design). John Miller is music coordinator.
Xanadu boasts a book by Little Dog Laughed playwright Douglas Carter Beane — a 2007 Tony Award nominee — and utilizes songs from John Farrar and Jeff Lynne's film soundtrack. The musical, according to press notes, "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."
Xanadu, which is performed without an intermission, features the songs "I'm Alive," "Magic," "Evil Woman," "Suddenly," "Whenever You're Away From Me," "Dancin'," "Strange Music," "All Over the World," "Don't Walk Away," "Fool," "The Fall," "Suspended in Time," "Have You Never Been Mellow?" and "Xanadu."
The 1980 film "Xanadu" was written by Richard Christian Danus and Marc Reid Rubel and was directed by Robert Greenwald.
The performance schedule is Tuesday-Saturday at 8 PM, Saturday at 2 PM and Sunday at 3 PM.
The Helen Hayes Theatre is located in Manhattan at 240 West 44th Street.
"...it is the weak who are cruel, and...gentleness is only to be expected from the strong." - Leo Reston
"Cruelty might be very human, and it might be cultural, but it's not acceptable." - Jodie Foster
"Cruelty might be very human, and it might be cultural, but it's not acceptable." - Jodie Foster
`Xanadu' postpones Broadway opening
Wed Jun 13, 4:10 PM ET
The opening of "Xanadu," the new Broadway musical based on the cult Olivia Newton-John roller-disco movie, has been postponed after one of its stars, James Carpinello, injured his foot during a rehearsal Tuesday.
The new opening date and when Carpinello can return to the production have not been determined, Pete Sanders, a spokesman for the show, said Wednesday. Meanwhile, Carpinello's understudy, Andre Ward, has taken over the role of Sonny during preview performances.
Kerry Butler also stars in the musical, which was to have opened June 26 at the Helen Hayes Theatre. She portrays Kira, a Greek muse who attracts a painter dissatisfied with his career, the role played by Carpinello.
"Xanadu" has a book by Douglas Carter Beane and features songs from the movie by John Farrar and Jeff Lynne. They include such pop hits as "Magic," "Party All Over the World," "I'm Alive" and the title tune.
The Official Xanadu on Broadway Page
Wed Jun 13, 4:10 PM ET
The opening of "Xanadu," the new Broadway musical based on the cult Olivia Newton-John roller-disco movie, has been postponed after one of its stars, James Carpinello, injured his foot during a rehearsal Tuesday.
The new opening date and when Carpinello can return to the production have not been determined, Pete Sanders, a spokesman for the show, said Wednesday. Meanwhile, Carpinello's understudy, Andre Ward, has taken over the role of Sonny during preview performances.
Kerry Butler also stars in the musical, which was to have opened June 26 at the Helen Hayes Theatre. She portrays Kira, a Greek muse who attracts a painter dissatisfied with his career, the role played by Carpinello.
"Xanadu" has a book by Douglas Carter Beane and features songs from the movie by John Farrar and Jeff Lynne. They include such pop hits as "Magic," "Party All Over the World," "I'm Alive" and the title tune.
The Official Xanadu on Broadway Page
"...it is the weak who are cruel, and...gentleness is only to be expected from the strong." - Leo Reston
"Cruelty might be very human, and it might be cultural, but it's not acceptable." - Jodie Foster
"Cruelty might be very human, and it might be cultural, but it's not acceptable." - Jodie Foster
From Playbill.com:
Krakowski, Jackson, Testa and More Set for Xanadu Workshop
By Andrew Gans
08 Jan 2007
A star-studded cast has been assembled for the final workshop 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.
Playbill.com has learned that the cast for the workshop — Broadway casting has yet to be announced — will include 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 will direct the by-invitation-only workshops, which will be held Jan. 20 and 21 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.
Krakowski, Jackson, Testa and More Set for Xanadu Workshop
By Andrew Gans
08 Jan 2007
A star-studded cast has been assembled for the final workshop 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.
Playbill.com has learned that the cast for the workshop — Broadway casting has yet to be announced — will include 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 will direct the by-invitation-only workshops, which will be held Jan. 20 and 21 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.
"...it is the weak who are cruel, and...gentleness is only to be expected from the strong." - Leo Reston
"Cruelty might be very human, and it might be cultural, but it's not acceptable." - Jodie Foster
"Cruelty might be very human, and it might be cultural, but it's not acceptable." - Jodie Foster
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99-1100896887
Broadway seems to LOVE tacky, doesn't it? And the strange fascination for disco( Dreamgirls, maybe?) !
Krakowski's work is theatre art. And I would love to see her again.
Haven't you always thought of Olivia Newton Puke as being material for satire? Even thirty or more years ago I thought so.
It will get horrible reviews and run for years.
Cam
Krakowski's work is theatre art. And I would love to see her again.
Haven't you always thought of Olivia Newton Puke as being material for satire? Even thirty or more years ago I thought so.
It will get horrible reviews and run for years.
Cam
Beane's 'Xanadu' Heads for Broadway
By CAMPBELL ROBERTSON
Douglas Carter Beane will be coming back to Broadway for the second time this season, after making his debut this fall with his play “The Little Dog Laughed.” The producers Robert Ahrens and Dan Vickery have announced that Mr. Beane’s take on the cult 1980 movie-musical “Xanadu” will be skating into the Helen Hayes Theater in May. “Xanadu,” for those who don’t remember or chose to forget, starred Olivia Newton-John as a heaven-sent muse who inspires the creation of an enormous disco roller rink. The musical, directed by Christopher Ashley (“All Shook Up”), will include songs from the movie’s soundtrack, produced by Jeff Lynne of the Electric Light Orchestra and John Farrar, among them the hit “Magic.”
Casting has not been announced, though Jane Krakowski and Cheyenne Jackson played the leading roles in a workshop last summer.
By CAMPBELL ROBERTSON
Douglas Carter Beane will be coming back to Broadway for the second time this season, after making his debut this fall with his play “The Little Dog Laughed.” The producers Robert Ahrens and Dan Vickery have announced that Mr. Beane’s take on the cult 1980 movie-musical “Xanadu” will be skating into the Helen Hayes Theater in May. “Xanadu,” for those who don’t remember or chose to forget, starred Olivia Newton-John as a heaven-sent muse who inspires the creation of an enormous disco roller rink. The musical, directed by Christopher Ashley (“All Shook Up”), will include songs from the movie’s soundtrack, produced by Jeff Lynne of the Electric Light Orchestra and John Farrar, among them the hit “Magic.”
Casting has not been announced, though Jane Krakowski and Cheyenne Jackson played the leading roles in a workshop last summer.
"...it is the weak who are cruel, and...gentleness is only to be expected from the strong." - Leo Reston
"Cruelty might be very human, and it might be cultural, but it's not acceptable." - Jodie Foster
"Cruelty might be very human, and it might be cultural, but it's not acceptable." - Jodie Foster