Kristin Chenoweth invited Wicked songwriter Stephen Schwartz to a March 9 New Jersey concert engagement to preview their upcoming new musical The Queen of Versailles. The duo debuted the song "Caviar Dreams" from the show, set to make its Broadway-aimed world premiere at Boston's Emerson Colonial Theatre this summer. Watch the performance above.
The musical is set to begin previews at the Massachusetts venue July 16, with the five-week engagement continuing through August 18. Tony winner Michael Arden (Parade) is at the helm.
The work is based on the 2012 documentary of the same name, centered on socialite and beauty queen Jacqueline "Jackie" Siegel. Tony winner Chenoweth will star as Siegel, her first time collaborating with Schwartz on a new musical since creating the role of Glinda in the original company of Wicked. Lindsey Ferrentino (Ugly Lies the Bone, Amy and the Orphans) is penning the book.
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.
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).
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.
