The complete principal cast from the pre-Broadway engagement of The Queen of Versailles will reprise their performances on the Main Stem, as Kristin Chenoweth announced August 19 at a press event outside the St. James Theatre. That's where the new Stephen Schwartz-Lindsey Ferrentino musical is set to begin performances October 8 ahead of a November 9 opening night.
Chenoweth, who is also producing the new musical, will star as socialite Jacqueline "Jackie" Siegel opposite Academy Award winner F. Murray Abraham as David Siegel as previously announced. The show is adapted from the 2012 documentary of the same name, which 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.
Newly 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. Casting is by Stephen Kopel and Carrie Gardner of C12 Casting.
The musical features a book by Ferrentino (Ugly Lies the Bone, Amy and the Orphans), adapting Lauren Greenfield's film; and a score by Schwartz (Wicked, Pippin). The project reunites Schwartz with his original Wicked star Chenoweth.
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.
Chenoweth has been attached to the project since at least February 2023, when it was announced that she would lead an industry reading of the project.
The Queen of Versailles is being produced by Bill Damaschke, Seaview, and Chenoweth.
Visit QueenOfVersaillesMusical.com.
