why Xanadu isn't opening in time for Tonys?

Is it just b/c the producers don't have faith in it's ability to win awards?

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I think I remember at one time they were trying to open before the awards, but with Jane Krakowski ducking out, I don't think they got their act together fast enough to do so. Still, they're opening at the right time for this show, in time to grab the tourists.

Well, this is probably going to be more of an "audience show" than a "critics show" and its chances for the major awards are probably fairly slim (though I guess we'll see for sure soon enough). I imagine they also might have decided to take a step back after Krakowski passed and perhaps spend a bit more time on development. Not many new musicals open cold on Broadway these days without an out-of-town try-out and for them to try to rush it on stage in just a few months after its first major reading might have been a mistake. The extra time will give Beane and the rest of the creative team more time to fine tune the finished product.

It's also not completely unheard of for shows to sometime open shortly after the Tony deadline. MTC has done it a couple of times over the years (with their built in subscription audience and the fact that their shows are limited runs anyway, means they don't feel quite the same pressures to compete for awards as commercial shows do). There have also been commercial shows that I remember opening in June and July over the years. Sometimes it's just due to timing and other factors. At any rate, XANADU will be eligible for next year's Tonys.

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Updated On: 4/21/07 at 04:49 PM

yeah...and they probably will not get any.

Don't assume anything.

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How the hell is a roller skating musical playing the Helen Hayes?! It's like the size of my one-bedroom apartment. Are they using puppets on roller skates? That could bring them a Tony.

Heck, HAIRSPRAY opened in late August 2002 (3 months after Tony's deadline for the 2001-2002 season) and it swept the Tony's the following June (2003).

The difference between Hairspray and Xanadu is that Hairspray is good and Xanadu isn't or won't be. Wasn't the movie enough?

Yes, jv, because you'v seen Xanadu and can safely say it isn't as good as Hairspray.

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So, you're assuming that it won't be good without seeing a scripts, or anything from the show (other than the songs, which were a best-selling soundtrack)? Okay.

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Well from what I know.. it's definitely NOT a rehash of the movie... at all..

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I believe Xanadu was scheduled to open before Tony Cutoff time before Jane Krakowski pulled out of the cast as its star to do more on 30 ROCK. Sad for her though as her character has been completely underwritten to no existant on 30 ROCK though, and the shows ratings continue to go down the tubes. Wish she could have done this project. Either way, I can't wait to see Mary Testa!

oooh, do tell Craig - how is it different from the film? i sort of cannot wait for this show, i'm a wee bit excited.

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Well, according to the cst listing trotted out on the web site, there's only, what, nine people altogether?

Maybe the onstage seating is so they can hand out roller skates to fill things out a little? :)

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