Kerry Butler to Star in Xanadu, Opening Set for June 26

[Rob]

Posted: 3/2/07 at 3:46pm

https://www.broadwayworld.com/l.cfm?id=153177

[CapnHook]

Posted: 3/2/07 at 3:47pm

[bjh2114]

Posted: 3/2/07 at 3:48pm

YOWSA!!!! Yeah, Kerry!!!!

[gustof777]

Posted: 3/2/07 at 3:49pm

awesome!!

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 3/2/07 at 3:50pm

Wow, now I really have zero interest.

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 3/2/07 at 3:52pm

too bad they missed the 2007 deadline...

[GYPSY1527]

Posted: 3/2/07 at 3:53pm

for the Tony award nominations? Do we actually think there's a chance to begin with?!

[defyingravity11]

Posted: 3/2/07 at 3:55pm

I can't wait!

[e]

Posted: 3/2/07 at 3:55pm

So no Kristen Bell then?

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 3/2/07 at 3:59pm

“Lead producer Ahrens said Kerry Butler was our first choice and we are thrilled that her schedule has now opened up to join our production”.

What a lie!



Boy is this a let down. I give it a week.
Updated On: 3/2/07 at 03:59 PM

[bjh2114]

Posted: 3/2/07 at 4:04pm

How is that a lie, Yankee? I mean, Kerry was in the original reading of Xanadu.

[theaterdude87]

Posted: 3/2/07 at 4:04pm

I love Kerry and I don't really know this show well. I hope it is good because I LOVE her.

[Jimmcf]

Posted: 3/2/07 at 4:06pm

I'm with you Bobby...my only interest was when Jane Krakowski was going to be in it. I know this sounds a bit harsh, but are they just looking for a tax writeoff for this production?

And, yes, I have not seen it, it may be the best thing to hit the Rialto since 'Gyspy' - but the pieces they are putting in place don't lend me to believe that.

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 3/2/07 at 4:06pm

YankeeFan said it was a lie because we all thought Jane Krakowski was their first choice...

[Craig]

Posted: 3/2/07 at 4:07pm

Yankee -

It's actually not a lie. Kerry was unavailable for the workshops because of her involvement with OOS.

Regardless of casting, etc - I'm at least intrigued to see this staged based on what I've heard from the workshops.

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 3/2/07 at 4:08pm

Bell would have been great. Too bad.

[C is for Company]

Posted: 3/2/07 at 4:09pm

I'm still excited and have faith in Kerry. I just wished that Jane or Kristin had been signed.

[Mother's Younger Brother]

Posted: 3/2/07 at 4:09pm

I know nothing about the stage version, but I always felt Krakowski was a bit too old. Frankly, I think Butler has a more quirky personality, and a better voice.

[mediakilled]

Posted: 3/2/07 at 4:09pm

you go kerry! i like her. sweetheart.

an although the movie was a bomb.
maybe the show will be "da bomb".
(in the most campiest, cheesiest way, of course.)

[AC126748]

Posted: 3/2/07 at 4:13pm

I know nothing about the stage version, but I always felt Krakowski was a bit too old.

Kerry is 35 and will be 36 in June. Jane is 38. Not much of a difference there.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 3/2/07 at 4:16pm

"Kerry was our first choice"

After Kristen Chenoweth, Kristen Bell and probably Suzanne Sommers all turned down the show.

And they missed the Tony deadline.

I'm sorry, but this is being incredibly poorly handled. I'll be surprised if they are able to get the money together based on all these variables...
Updated On: 3/2/07 at 04:16 PM

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 3/2/07 at 4:20pm

I knew Kerry did the initial readings but never assumed that she was the first choice.

They've been touting the show as a vehicle for Krakow for months, maybe even years.

I think that, perhaps, is the problem (to me, anyway). Despire Kerry apparently being their first choice, they were so set on having Krakow do it that anyone else seems like an also ran.

Needless to say, they're all in the same mold, so I'm sure Kerry will be great.

[Craig]

Posted: 3/2/07 at 4:22pm

Chenoweth? Don't see her in this role at all. I know you're being facetious (Suzanne Somers). And was there any confirmation that Bell was offered it? Or was it internet rumor wildfire?

All I can say from first hand knowledge that Kerry was in the original workshop and was unable to participate in the other ones because of commitments. They did want her for those workshops though - so it's not a stretch to say she was their first choice. Jane was in at least two other workshops and it stands to reason that she was offered the part after that. That doesn't make a liar out of the producers to say that Kerry was their first choice though. It's really just semantics.

[WaltSummersPI]

Posted: 3/2/07 at 4:22pm

YAY for Kerry!

VERY odd opening date, howeve. How many shows have opened at the end of June?

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 3/2/07 at 4:27pm

Craig - what's OOS?