Want a refresher on the documentary source material of Broadway's upcoming new musical The Queen of Versailles? Magnolia Pictures will host special screenings of Lauren Greenfield's 2012 documentary at Angelika Film Center in NYC September 18-26, and members of the musical's cast and creative team will participate in post-screening talkbacks September 18-20.
The September 18 screening will feature a Q&A with the musical's producer/star Kristin Chenoweth, film director Greenfield, stage director Michael Arden, and book writer Lindsey Ferrentino. September 19th's screening will be followed by a talkback with Greenfield, Arden, and costume designer Christian Cowan. Members of the cast will be on hand after the September 20 screening. Tickets for all screenings are available at AngelikaFilmCenter.com.
The Stephen Schwartz-Lindsey Ferrentino musical recently began rehearsals for its upcoming Broadway bow. See photos from the rehearsal room below.
Kristin Chenoweth and company of The Queen of Versailles
Lindsey Ferrentino and company of The Queen of Versailles
Stephen Schwartz and Lindsey Ferrentino
Andrew Kober and F. Murray Abraham
Stephen Schwartz, Lindsey Ferrentino, and company of The Queen of Versailles
F. Murray Abraham, Michael Arden, Lindsey Ferrentino, Stephen Schwartz, and Kristin Chenoweth
Greg Hildreth
Kristin Chenoweth
Yeman Brown and Michael Arden
Michael Arden and F. Murray Abraham
Melody Butiu and company of The Queen of Versailles
Nina White
Stephen Schwartz and Lindsey Ferrentino
Kristin Chenoweth and Melody Butiu
Nina White
Company of The Queen of Versailles
Michael Arden
Queen of Versailles begins performances October 8 at the St. James Theatre, ahead of a November 9 opening night. The work is Schwartz' first new musical on Broadway since 2003's Wicked. Ferrentino (Amy and the Orphans) has penned the book, adapting Greenfield's 2012 documentary.
Chenoweth is starring as socialite Jacqueline "Jackie" Siegel opposite Academy Award winner F. Murray Abraham as David Siegel. The work follows the couple's endeavor to build the largest private home in the country in Orlando, Florida, only for the 2008 recession to dampen their dreams and lavish lifestyle. The work made its world premiere at Boston's Emerson Colonial Theatre last year—see what critics had to say of the try-out here. Two-time Tony winner Michael Arden is at the helm.
Recently revealed to be re-joining Chenoweth in the musical are Melody Butiu (Here Lies Love) as Sofia, Stephen DeRosa (BOOP! The Musical) as John, Greg Hildreth (Company) as Gary, Tatum Grace Hopkins (Meek) as Jonquil, Isabel Keating (The Boy From Oz) as Debbie, and Nina White (Kimberly Akimbo) as Victoria, all also reprising their performances from the pre-Broadway run. The company will also include Yeman Brown, David Aron Damane, Drew Elhamalawy, Christopher Gurr, KJ Hippensteel, Cassondra James, Andrew Kober, Jesse Kovarsky, Pablo David Laucerica, Travis Murad Leland, Ryah Nixon, Shea Renne, Michael McCorry Rose, Grace Slear, Anne Fraser Thomas, and Jake Bentley Young. Sherie Rene Scott will make a Broadway return as the standby for Jackie Siegel. Casting is by Stephen Kopel and Carrie Gardner of C12 Casting.
The production also features choreography by Lauren Yalango-Grant and Christopher Cree Grant (Parade), music supervision by Mary-Mitchell Campbell (Some Like It Hot), scenic and video design by Dane Laffrey (Maybe Happy Ending), costume design by fashion designer Christian Cowan, lighting design by Natasha Katz (Sweeney Todd), sound design by Peter Hylenski (Beetlejuice), hair and wig design by Cookie Jordan, and orchestrations by John Clancy. Clarissa Marie Ligon will be production stage manager.
The Queen of Versailles is being produced by Bill Damaschke, Seaview, and Chenoweth.
Visit QueenOfVersaillesMusical.com.
