The new Stephen Schwartz musical The Queen of Versailles, headed for a world premiere at Boston's Emerson Colonial Theatre this summer, has found its full creative team. The Broadway-aimed production will begin previews July 16, with the five-week engagement currently scheduled to continue through August 18.
As previously announced, Tony winner Kristin Chenoweth will star in the new musical, which is based on the 2012 documentary of the same name, centered on socialite and beauty queen Jacqueline "Jackie" Siegel. Lindsey Ferrentino (Ugly Lies the Bone, Amy and the Orphans) penned the book, and Tony winner Michael Arden (Parade, Once on This Island) will direct.
The production will feature choreography by Lauren Yalango-Grant and Christopher Cree Grant (Parade), music supervision by Mary-Mitchell Campbell (Some Like It Hot), scenic design by Dane Laffrey (parade), costume design by fashion designer Christian Cowan, lighting design by Natasha Katz (Sweeney Todd), and sound design by Peter Hylenski (Beetlejuice).
The musical tracks Siegel as she becomes the wife of David "Timeshare King" Siegel and mother to eight children as they 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.
Joining Chenoweth for the pre-Broadway Boston engagement will be Oscar-winning actor F. Murray Abraham as David Siegel, Here Lies Love’s Melody Butiu as Sofia Flores, and Kimberly Akimbo’s Nina White as Victoria Siegel. Additional casting is to be announced. Casting is by C12 Casting.
All four actors also starred in a workshop of the musical in November 2023.
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 project reunites Chenoweth with Schwartz after the former created the role of Glinda in Schwartz's Wicked.
Tickets for the production’s world premiere are now on sale at EmersonColonialTheatre.com.
The Queen of Versailles is produced by Bill Damaschke, Seaview, and Chenoweth, through her production banner Diva Worldwide Entertainment.
