Spokane actor lead in ‘Xanadu’

Cheyenne Jackson is trading in the “Hound Dog” of Elvis Presley for the disco beat of “Xanadu.”

The former Spokane actor, who starred on Broadway in the Presley-inspired “All Shook Up,” will take over a lead role in “Xanadu,” the stage version of the cult Olivia Newton-John roller-disco movie now in preview performances at New York City’s Helen Hayes Theatre.

He replaces James Carpinello, who injured his foot while skating during a rehearsal Tuesday.

Carpinello’s two understudies will alternate in the role until Jackson joins the production on Friday.

“I’m excited to join the cast of ‘Xanadu’ while James Carpinello recovers,” Jackson said. “My heart goes out to him, as he spent months working on this project, only to be injured so close to opening night. I am honored to borrow his skates.”

Jackson, who grew up in Newport, Wash., acted at the Spokane Civic Theatre and Coeur d’Alene Summer Theatre before moving to Seattle and then to New York.

He appeared in last year’s film “United 93,” about the flight that crashed in Pennsylvania on Sept. 11, 2001.