Xanadu: Ensemble announced

The ensemble is now known for the the mega-flop musical movie, Xanadu, opening on Broadway at the Helen Hayes Theatre on 26 Jun 2007, following previews from 23 May 2007.

As previously announced the cast will star Kerry Butler will star as Kira, the musical's principal female role, and James Carpinello will star as Sonny Malone, the principal male role. Tony Roberts will play Danny, with Mary Testa and Jackie Hoffman playing the two evil muses.

The ensemble features Curtis Holbrook, Anika Larsen, Kenita R. Miller, Andrew Ward and Marty Thomas.

Curtis Holbrook last appeared on Broadway as Dean Hyde in All Shook Up (2005), her other Broadway credits include Taboo (2003), The Boy From Oz (2003) and Fosse (1999). Anika Larsen made her Broadway debut in the ensemble for All Shook Up (2005). Kenita R. Miller made her Broadway debut when she played the star role of Celie in The Color Purple (2005) earlier this year. Marty Thomas made his Broadway debut as Boq in Wicked (2003). Andrew Ward is making his Broadway debut.

Xanadu, will be directed by Christopher Ashley, with choreography by Dan Knechtges. The creative team also includes David Gallo (sets), Howell Binkley (lighting) and David Zinn (costumes).

The movie musical Xanadu was released in 1980, and starred Olivia Newton-John (Kira), Michael Beck (Sonny Malone), and Gene Kelly (Danny), and was directed by Robert Greenwald.

In Xanadu the Greek muses incarnate themselves on Earth to inspire men to achieve. One of them, incarnated as a girl named Kira, encounters an artist named Sonny Malone.

The book for the musical is written by Douglas Carter Beane, based on the screenplay by Richard Christian Danus and Marc Reid Rubel.

Through the movie failed badly at the box-office, the film's soundtrack, with music by Olivia Newton-John, Electric Light Orchestra, UK pop idol Cliff Richard, and the San Francisco-based art-rock band The Tubes, went plantinum.

Considering the Soundtrack's success, it is expected that the Broadway musical will feature many of the film's songs, with extra material provided by the Electic Light Orchestra. Eric Stern is the shows musical director.

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