XANADU, Broadway's surprise musical hit, has moved up the date of its closing to Sunday, September 28. The show is playing at the Helen Hayes Theatre, 240 West 44th Street. The producers released a statement saying that the decision to close the show early was made to avoid losses in the current economic climate.
Headed by a cast starring Kerry Butler,Cheyenne Jackson,Tony Roberts, Jackie Hoffman and Mary Testa, the musical also featured Jacob ben Widmar, Kenita Miller, Patti Murin andAndre Ward. Written by Douglas Carter Beane and loosely based on the 1980 film of the same name, the show featured music by Jeff Lynne and John Farrar.Christopher Ashley directed with Dan Knechtges providing the choreography. Eric Stern served as musical director. Sets were by David Gallo, costumes by David Zinn and lighting by Howell Binkley.
Lead producer Robert Ahrens spent many years bringing this musical to Broadway, defying the odds and naysayers along the way. Opening on July 10, 2007, the show was enthusiastically acclaimed by critics and fans alike. Ahrens said "It was a joy to work on Xanadu, a project that I truly believed in. The cast, which became a family, was superbly talented as was the entire creative team. Co-producers B. Swibel and Tara Smith said "We want to thank Xanadu's fans around the world and the Broadway community for this rare, exceptional experience". Ahrens, Swibel and Smith conclude "All of our partners, including Dan Vickery, Cari Smulyan, Dale Smith, Sara Murchison, Chris Webster, Allison Bibicoff, Marc Rubell and Maggie Fine made their Broadway debuts with the show and their enthusiasm and belief in the project was unparallel. We thank them all."
Xanadu will play at the La Jolla Playhouse in California in November, followed by a six month engagement at Chicago's Drury Lane Theatre, followed by a national tour. The premiere foreign production just opened in Seoul, Korea. Plans are underway for productions in London (co-produced with David Ian andJohn Gore), China, Australia and the Philippines.
Xanadu was the recipient of the 2008 Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Broadway Musical, and four 2008 Tony Award nominations ( Best Musical, Kerry Butler for Best Actress in a Musical, Douglas Carter Beane for Best Book, Dan Knechtges for Best Choreography and Best New Musical). It also received six 2008 Drama Desk nominations (Outstanding Musical, Cheyenne Jackson for Outstanding Actor in a Musical Mary Testa for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Musical, Christopher Ashley for Outstanding Director of a Musical, Dan Knechtges for Outstanding Choreography) and a win for Douglas Carter Beanefor Outstanding Book of a Musical.
Tickets are available through Telecharge.com at (212) 239-6200. Performances are Tuesdays at 7 pm, Wednesdays through Saturdays at 8 pm with matinees Wednesdays and Saturdays at 2 pm and Sundays at 3 pm.
