Xanadu: producers looking for a temporaryreplacement until James Carpinellocan return to the show

James Carpinello, who plays the principle male role of Sonny, has been forced temporarily to leave the Broadway musical Xanadu due to injuring his foot while skating during rehearsals on the 12 Jun 2007. There is no word as to when Carpinello will return to the show.

Andrew Ward, Carpinello's understudy, has been playing the role of Sonny since 12 Jun 2007.

Producers are now saying that Andrew Ward will continue in the the role until a longer-term replacement is found. Due to the incident, Xanadu has postponed its opening. The show was originally scheduled to open on 26 Jun 2007, no new date has been set.

The musical has been in previews at the Helen Hayes Theatre since 23 May 2007

Xanadu also stars Kerry Butler, who plays Kira, the musical's female principle role. The cast also 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, Andrew Ward and Marty Thomas.

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.

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James Carpinello as Sonny Malone