CNN American Morning Program To Feature Xanadu On Wednesday

Cast, creative and highlights from the first musical to open up this season, Xanadu will be featured on Wednesday's "CNN American Morning" program.   Xanadu opens on Tuesday, July 10th at Broadway's Helen Hayes Theatre (240 West 44th Street) after beginning previews on May 23rd.

Douglas Carter Beane has written the book for Xanadu based on the film of the same name. The score will include the hits, "Magic," "Xanadu," "Party All Over the World" and "I'm Alive" -- all top 20 Billboard hits. The score was written by Jeff Lynne and John Farrar. Lynne wrote and produced all of the music of Electric Light Orchestra (E.L.O). Farrar was also responsible for most of the hits that were performed by Olivia Newton-John in the 1970's. Christopher Ashley will direct with choreography by Dan Knechtges.

"This musical myth, set in the year 1980, 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," according to press materials.  Starring Butler as "Kira" (played in the film version by Olivia Newton-John), Cheyenne Jackson as "Sonny," Tony Roberts as "Danny" (played in the film version by Gene Kelly), and Jackie Hoffman and Mary Testa as the evil Muses "Calliope" and "Melpomene," respectively, Xanadu's cast also features Curtis Holbrook, Anika Larsen, Kenita Miller and Andre Ward.

Visit www.xanaduonbroadway.com for more information.