Roberts, who brings to life the role played by Gene Kelly in Xanadu's film version, was last seen on Broadway in Barefoot in the Park. He was twice nominated for Tony Awards for How Now, Dow Jones and Play it Again, Sam. Other Broadway credits include The Tale of the Allergist's Wife, Cabaret, The Seagull, The Sisters Rosensweig, Jerome Robbins' Broadway and They're Playing Our Song.
With a book by Douglas Carter Beane and a score by John Farrar and Jeff Lynne, Xanadu is based on the screenplay by Richard Christian Danus and Marc Reid Rubel.