Categories: News

Cast Announced for Xanadu the Musical at Hayes Theatre

Jaime Hadwen and Ashley Melham will star in XANADU. Photo by Frank Farrugia.

Today, Matthew Management in association with Hayes Theatre Co announced the the cast of XANADU, the musical based on the beloved cult movie from the 1980s, which will play in Sydney from Thursday 12 May.

Jaime Hadwen (Bring it On) stars as Kira, and Ainsley Melham (Hi-5) will play Sonny. The supporting cast includes Dion Bilios (Wicked), Francine Cain (Grease), Catty Hamilton (Hair), Kat Hoyos (Here Come The Habibs), James Maxfield (Dirty Dancing) and Jayde Westaby (The Rocky Horror Show).

Jaime Hadwen and Ashley Melham will star in XANADU. Photo by Frank Farrugia.

“I’m thrilled to find my perfect cast for this wonderful iconic musical,” producer Matthew Henderson said.

“Jaime will be a glorious Kira; in his first musical after leaving Hi 5, Ainsley will be an endearing and delightful Sonny; and the rest of the cast are all top class musical theatre triple threats.

“In this case though, they will all be quadruple threats as they’ll be roller skating around the tiny Hayes Theatre Co stage as well. XANADU is an exuberant party musical – audiences won’t be able to wipe the smiles off their faces for days after.”

The production will be directed and choreographed by Nathan M Wright, with musical direction by Andrew Bevis, scenic design by Nathan Weyers, and costume design by James Browne.

With a book by Douglas Carter Beane (Sister Act, The Nance) and music and lyrics by Jeff Lynne (Electric Light Orchestra) and John Farrar (“A Little More Love” and many of Olivia Newtown-John’s songs), XANADU captures the spirit of the original film.

Kira, the beautiful Greek muse, descends from the heavens of Mount Olympus for Venice Beach, California, on a quest to inspire a struggling artist, Sonny, to achieve the greatest artistic creation of all time – the first roller disco. Well, hey. When Kira falls into forbidden love with the mortal Sonny, her jealous sisters take advantage of the situation and chaos abounds.

XANADU originally opened at the Helen Hayes Theatre on Broadway in 2007 where it ran for over 500 performances, winning the Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Musical and a Drama Desk Award for Best Book. It was also nominated for four Tony Awards for Best Musical, Best Actress, Best Book of a Musical and Best Choreography.

For tickets and more information, visit hayestheatre.com.au

Cassie Tongue

Cassie is a theatre critic and arts writer in Sydney, and was the deputy editor of AussieTheatre. She has written for The Guardian, Time Out Sydney, Daily Review, and BroadwayWorld Australia. She is a voter for the Sydney Theatre Awards.