Kerry Butler Interviewed by Rudetsky on Studio A, 8/15

On Wednesday, August 15th at 2 PM, Kerry Butler (Hairspray, Little Shop of Horrors) will drop by Studio A to chat with Seth Rudetsky about her current starring role in Broadway's Xanadu.

The interview was done last week, but has a replay on Wednesday.  Listeners can sign up for a free 3-day trial to listen in.  Butler will sing a couple of songs (not from Xanadu) in addition to being interviewed.

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 Kerry 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.

Tickets are available on www.Telecharge.com (212) 239-6200. Xanadu is playing at the Helen Hayes Theatre, 240 West 44th Street.

Visit www.xanaduonbroadway.com for more information.  Visit www.kerrybutler.net for more on Butler.

Photo of Kerry Butler by Linda Lenzi