Flashbulbs popped and excitement swirled on West 44th Street this afternoon as Broadway royalty gathered outside the St. James Theatre. With her trademark sparkle, Kristin Chenoweth stood arm-in-arm with Academy Award® winner F. Murray Abraham to announce the complete cast of the season’s most anticipated premiere, The Queen of Versailles.
Directed by Tony Award® winner Michael Arden, with music and lyrics by Academy Award® winner Stephen Schwartz and a book by Olivier Award® nominee Lindsey Ferrentino, this dazzling new musical will begin performances Wednesday, October 8, ahead of an opening night set for Sunday, November 9.
Chenoweth, who stars as the imperious queen herself, and Abraham, lending his screen-legend gravitas, lead a first-rate company: Melody Butiu (Here Lies Love) as Sofia, Stephen DeRosa (Hairspray) 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*.
The ensemble brings together some of Broadway’s most versatile talents, including 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.
Produced by Bill Damaschke, Seaview, Sonia Friedman, and Chenoweth herself, The Queen of Versailles already has the town buzzing. If today’s press event was any indication, Broadway is about to crown its next glittering sensation.
Photos: Genevieve Rafter Keddy
