Xanadu: Cheyenne Jackson returns to the role of Sonny

Cheyenne Jackson returns to the role of Sonny Malone today (28 Jul 2007) in the Broadway musical Xanadu, after a leave of absence from 17 - 27 Jul 2007 due to a prior cengagement. The role of Sonny Malone wwas performed by Curtis Holbrook and Andre Ward during Jackson's absence.

Jackson, whose Broadway credits include Aida (2000), Thoroughly Modern Millie (2002) and All Shook Up (2005), was called in to replace original star James Carpinello who broke his foot during rehearsals on 12 Jun 2007.

Xanadu, the first musical of the New Broadway season, opened on Broadway at the Helen Hayes Theatre on 10 Jul, following previews from 23 May 2007. The musical pushed back its opening, which was originally scheduled for 26 Jun 2007 because of Carpinello's injury.

Xanadu also features Kerry Butler, who plays Kira, the musical's female principle role. The cast includes Tony Roberts as Danny, with Mary Testa and Jackie Hoffman playing the two evil muses.

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

The musical opened to mixed, but mostly positive reviews: "Outlandishly enjoyable." (New York Times); "Delightfully inspired." (New York Daily News); "An absolutely ghastly show." (New York Post); "A goofy glitterball of a musical." (Star-Ledger); "Slipshod enterprise." (Hollywood Reporter); "Refreshingly unassuming crowd-pleaser."; "I just had a really good time." (New York Theatre Guide).

In Xanadu, which is based on the mega-flop musical movie of the same name, 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.

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

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

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.

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.

The Broadway musical features many of the film's songs, with extra material provided by the Electic Light Orchestra. Eric Stern is the shows musical director.