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Talking to Cheyenne Jackson

By Matt Windman | amNewYork theater critic

Cheyenne Jackson, who will appear in 'Damn Yankees.' (Chris Macke)

Cheyenne Jackson, while still roller-skating on Broadway in "Xanadu," is now in rehearsals for the Encores revival of "Damn Yankees." Playing baseball player Joe Hardy, he joins a cast including Sean Hayes, Jane Krakowski and Randy Graff.

How did you get involved with "Damn Yankees"? I heard they were doing it and threw my name into the ring. I did the role exactly 10 years ago, but now I want to do it right. I was too young and didn't understand character development. I was literally flying by the seat of my pants and working on instinct.

What attracts you to the character of Joe Hardy? It's a love story between Joe and his wife. And that's different from anything I've done in New York. I've been in pretty silly shows singing crazy high pop music. Here, I'm the moral compass of the play.

What will this production be like? It's really the first time it's been recreated. It was revived in 1994, but they rewrote the book and really chopped and switched everything around. This is a classic retelling of the story. It's such a beautiful, old-fashioned '50s musical. Great archetypal characters. People are going to dig it.

How much longer will you be in "Xanadu"? I am doing double duty for one more week. It's been really difficult to do both. I thought I could do it. I'm young. But it's really been wiping me out. I'm taking all of July off from "Xanadu" and then coming back.

Your performance at the Tonys with the cast of "Xanadu" was truly unbelievable. What was that like? That was the best moment of my life. All the stars came together. I had this strange calm before I went on and thought: 'I am going to blow the roof off this place.' When I got home, I watched it seven times in a row.

City Center, 130 West 55th St, 212-581-1212, $25-110. Tues 7pm, Wed-Fri 8pm, Sat 2 & 8pm, Sun 2 & 7pm. Previews start July 5.