Photo Coverage: Cheyenne Jackson Portrait Unveiled at Tony's DiNapoli

On Thursday August 14, 2008, Xanadu Star Cheyenne Jackson had his own Broadway Wall of Fame portrait unveiled at the popular theater district Italian eatery, Tony DiNapoli's. Tony DiNapoli's is located at 147 43rd Street. The hosts for the evening were radio personality Valerie Smaldone and Tony DiNapoli's General Manager, Bruce Dimpflmaier.

Cheyenne Jackson made his Broadway debut understudying both male leads in the Tony Award-winning musical Thoroughly Modern Millie. He later served as the standby for the character of Radames in Aida, then originated the role of Matthew in the off-Broadway production of Altar Boyz. He originated his first Broadway leading role in the musical tribute to Elvis Presley, All Shook Up. His performance as Chad earned him much critical praise and the Theatre World Award, as well as nominations from the Drama League and Outer Critics Circle Awards for Outstanding Lead Actor. In 2006, Jackson portrayed Mark Bingham in Universal Pictures' Academy-Award nominated film United 93. He also starred Off-Broadway in Nicky Silver's The Agony and The Agony with Victoria Clark. Jackson received a Drama Desk nomination as Best Actor for his starring role as Sonny in Broadway's Xanadu. He was recently seen in the role of Joe Hardy in the Encores! Summer Stars run of Damn Yankees at City Center.

Xanadu was nominated for 4 2008 Tony Awards including Best Choreography, Best Book, Best Actress and Best Musical. The show received the 2008 Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Musical as well as the 2008 Drama Desk Award for Best Book of  a Musical (Douglas Carter Beane).

With a book "ingeniously adapted" (New York Times) by Douglas Carter Beane, and a score by Jeff Lynne (writer and producer for the Electric Light Orchestra (E.L.O.)) and John Farrar (responsible for most of the hits performed by Olivia Newton-John in the 1970's), XANADU features the top 20 Billboard hits, "Magic," "Xanadu," "All Over the World" and "I'm Alive."  Award-winning Christopher Ashley directs "at roller-derby speed" (New York Times) with choreography by Dan Knechtges.

XANADU also features scenic design by Tony Award winner David Gallo, costume design by David Zinn, lighting design by Tony Award winner Howell Binkley, sound design by T. Richard Fitzgerald and Carl Casella, projections design by Zachary Borovay, wig and hair design by Charles G. LaPointe and musical direction by Eric Stern.

XANADU is produced by Robert Ahrens, Dan Vickery, Tara Smith, B. Swibel, Mickey Liddell, and Cari Smulyan.

Performance schedule for Xanadu is Tuesday at 7 pm, Wednesday through Saturday at 8 pm, Wednesday at 2 pm and Sunday at 3 pm. For information and tickets call Telecharge.com at (212) 239-6200

Photo Credit Linda Lenzi

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