Photo Coverage: Xanadu Opening Night Party

Kerry Butler and Cheyenne Jackson star in the highly anticipated new Broadway musical Xanadu. The first musical of the new Broadway season, Xanadu opened 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), 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. 

Photos by Walter McBride/Retna Ltd.

Douglas Carter Beane

Douglas Carter Beane

Douglas Carter Beane

Douglas Carter Beane

Dan Knetchges

Dan Knechtges

Dan Knechtges and Douglas Carter Beane

Dan Knechtges and Douglas Carter Beane

Olivia Newton-John (who played Kira in the original Xanadu film), Patti Murin, Andre Ward, Anika Larsen, Kenita R. Miller and Marty Thomas

Brian Swibel, Robert Ahrens and Tara Smith

Annie Golden

Annie Golden 

Annie Golden

Curtis Holbrook

Curtis Holbrook

Curtis Holbrook

Cheyenne Jackson

Olivia Newton-John

Olivia Newton-John

Olivia Newton-John

Olivia Newton-John

Olivia Newton-John and John Farrar

Olivia Newton-John and John Farrar

Olivia Newton-John

Olivia Newton-John

Tony Roberts, Douglas Carter Beane, Olivia Newton-John and John Farrar

Olivia Newton-John and Tony Roberts

Olivia Newton-John and Curtis Holbrook

Olivia Newton-John and Curtis Holbrook

Mary Testa and Olivia Newton-John

Jackie Hoffman

Olivia Newton-John and Jackie Hoffman

Jackie Hoffman and Tony Roberts

Jackie Hoffman, Tony Roberts and Mary Testa

Olivia Newton-John and Cheyenne Jackson

Olivia Newton-John and Cheyenne Jackson

Olivia Newton-John and Richie Ridge ("Broadway Beat")

Olivia Newton-John and Richie Ridge

Tony Roberts

Richie Ridge and Tony Roberts

Cheyenne Jackson

Richie Ridge and Cheyenne Jackson

Kerry Butler

Kerry Butler

Kerry Butler

Kerry Butler

Richie Ridge and Kerry Butler

Kerry Butler and Cheyenne Jackson

Kerry Butler and Cheyenne Jackson

James Carpinello (who, due to an injury, was replaced by Cheyenne Jackson during previews)

James Carpinello

James Carpinello

James Carpinello

Annie Golden and James Carpinello

Two Sonnys - James Carpinello and Cheyenne Jackson

James Carpinello and Cheyenne Jackson

James Carpinello and Cheyenne Jackson

Kerry Butler and James Carpinello

Kerry Butler and James Carpinello