Co-Produced by SpeakEasy Stage Company and the Front Porch Arts Collective, Michael R. Jackson’s blisteringly funny meta musical is the winner of the 2020 Pulitzer Prize for Drama and the 2022 Tony Award for Best Musical. It comes to the stage of the Wimberly Theatre in the Calderwood Pavilion at the Boston Center for the Arts, 527 Tremont St. in Boston’s South End. Directed by the award-winning actor, director and educator Maurice Emmanuel Parent, the lead character, Usher, is actually based loosely on Jackson’s own life and work, which was directing families in and out of theater performances…ergo…he was an usher. Usher is a Black queer, aspiring writer who perpetually runs a thought track in his head that continuously derides and undermines himself. In his attempt to lose that negative loop, he decides to write a musical about a Black, queer writer who is writing a musical about a Black, queer writer. So, duh, he follows the edict to ‘write what one knows!’ In doing so he hopefully engages in a more, albeit productive “loop”. In case this is not clear…he is a Black, queer writer composing a musical about a Black, queer writer who is composing a musical about a Black, queer writer. Becoming hell-bent on breaking free of his own sorry self-perception, Usher exposes his heart and soul that he has been grappling with. All those intimate thoughts, his desires, identity and instincts that he equally loves and loathes, he poignantly yet comedically lays it all onto the stage. The Music Direction is by David Freeman Coleman with Choreography also by Taavon Gamble. Boston native Kai Clifton plays Usher, alongside cast mates Grant Evan, De’Lon Grant, Jonathan Melo, Zion Middleton, Davron S. Monroe and Aaron Michael Ray. The New York Times stated the production to be a “A dazzling ride. No measure of praise could be too much.” Tickets for this completely unique and blisteringly funny masterwork are available here at www.bostontheatrescene.com

 

Moonbox Productions brings David Valdes powerful new play to the stage of the Arrow Street Arts, theater at 2 Arrow St. in Cambridge. Directed by Bridget Kathleen O’Leary, the production boasts that it is a coming-of-age story in which the parents, not the teenager, need to learn how to evolve with life’s changes. Pilar and Bird, find themselves forced to navigate their tween daughter Violet’s transition. It is tricky as they juggle not only their own opposing parenting styles, but also her impulsive act. Meanwhile, Violet is just as concerned about her best friend Jacob, who she wishes was her boyfriend, and when nothing is going as she wants, she makes a YouTube video that pushes everyone’s buttons. As her parents wrestle with all of Vi’s choices, they confront the gaps between them as a couple which they’ll have to overcome to see the family through all his turmoil. They are just desperately trying to guess how to get it right even though they are not sure what any of it means. and it doesn’t help that they’re not on the same page. Vi just wishes they would keep up she’s busy navigating her first crush on super-cool Jacob, obsessing over her favorite YouTube vlogger, and just about ready to make herself into an internet sensation. This is a uniquely fast-paced, funny, and heartfelt play about the perils of parenting a trans tween and highlights all the juggling necessary for the three individuals to confront the gaps between who they are and who they wish to be. Tickets may be obtained at www.moonboxproductions.org

 

Company One Theatre (C1), in conjunction with Boston University’s College of Fine Arts, brings to the stage of the Boston Center for the Arts, Plaza Theatre at 539 Tremont St, in Boston’s South End this world premiere play written by C1 Resident and Boston’s own master playwright, Kirsten Greenidge. Directed by C1 Associate Artistic Director Summer L. Williams, with dramaturgy by former C1 Director of New Work, Ilana M. Brownstein, the story surrounds Mia and Dailyn, a mother/daughter duo struggling to feel seen as well as to be supported by each other. Mia just wants her daughter to listen to her without talking back. Dailyn, in turn, wants her mom to quit being so judgmental. They both just want everything to be i their household when Dailyn’s older sister Alex comes home for her birthday. But, when a mysterious visitor from a digital dimension, an AI social media influencer that was the creation of Dailyn and her friends actually comes to life and starts taking matters into her own hands, the very concepts of home and perfection are challenged as mother ad daughter’s tense relationship is scrutinized. The play is set amidst the anxiety ridden and overwhelmed environment of modern post-pandemic life,. It is an off-kilter story that has been beautifully crafted with the now traditional, sharp and poignant writing style of Greenidge. By producing Morning, Noon, and Night, C1strives to amplify the care and compassion that has been needed to bring us out of the darkness of our Covid induces isolation, bringing us into the light of our community. This eccentric reflection of post-pandemic life artfully blurs reality and social media together as it navigates familial reckoning, digital surveillance, and the ways we can love each other after four long and traumatic years. The cast includes Kaili Turner as Mia, Sydney Jackson as Daulyn, Eliza Fichter as Heather, Schanaya Barrows as Chole, Asilinn Brophy as Nat and Alexandria Danielle King as Miss Candice, Tickets for this unique and insightful production my be obtained at www.companyone.org

 

 

 

THROUGH APRIL 28: AUGUST WILSON’S FENCES

After three decades and many requests, Trinity Repertory Theatre at 201 Washington Street in Providence RI. brings the return of this American classic play to the stage of their Dowling Theater. The Pulitzer Prize-winning FENCES, is often considered Wilson’s magnum opus. It is perhaps August Wilson’s most well-known play as well as his most powerful. Directed by Christopher Windom, the play is set In segregated 1957 Pittsburgh which was a pivotal year for the Civil Rights Movement. Much of the Black community felt trapped between a violent and oppressive past of prejudice and abuse and the possibility of a brighter future for them. The story surrounds Troy Maxson who was a former Negro League baseball player and a towering figure in his community. But those days of glory are gone and he is now scraping by as a sanitation worker. But now he feels stripped from any control in his life except over his wife and two sons. The play is reflective of many struggles faced by Black Americans during that era. They included discrimination, racism, lack of opportunity, and much more. Troy becomes increasingly obsessive, warped with stubbornness and pride with how he can protect his loved ones from all that oppression. Wilson provides a devastating look at a man and his family’s struggling relationships. Fences is a must-see. 
For tickets visit www.trinityrep.org

    Lexus Broadway in Boston brings to the stage of the Emerson Colonial Theatre at 106 Boylston St. in Boston this all new version of CLUE. The still popular family board game by Hasbro originally inspired Jonathan Lynn to create the screen play for Paramount Picture’s 1985 film. Now, Sandy Rustin’s writing, along with additional material by Hunter Foster and Eric Price brings this masterfully memorable tale of murder, madness and mayhem to the stage. The action is additionally propelled along by an original score by Michael Holland. Directed by Casey Hushion, the tale is set in 1954 in a remote mansion on a dark, rainy and windy night. Six, seemingly unrelated guests have been invited to Boddy Manor by John Boddy. They are initially greeted by Wadsworth, Mr. Boddy’s Butler, along with Yvette, the French maid and Mr. Boddy’s cook. He introduces the guests to each other, assigning each with an alias while revealing to the group that they all have been blackmailed by Mr. Boddy, including a description of each person’s issue. Professor Plum lost his medical license for having an affair with a patient. Mrs. Peacock took bribes for her U.S. senator husband. Miss Scarlet runs a brothel. Colonel Mustard is a war profiteer who sold plane parts on the black market. Mrs. White has had multiple husbands, all of whom went missing or turned up dead, and Mr. Green is a homosexual, which could cost him his job at the State Department. But, Mr. Boddy suggests to the gathered group that Wadsworth is the black mailer and distributes weapons, one to each guest, to protect themselves.

  A candlestick for Miss Scarlet, a noose for Mrs. White, a lead pipe for Mr. Green, a wrench for Colonel, a revolver for Professor Plum, and a knife for Mrs. Peacock. Suddenly the lights go out and when they come back on, Mr. Boddy is found dead. Traditionally, instinct tells us, “the butler did it!” But not in this raucous filled comedy where everyone becomes suspect as Wardsworth leads a frantic collection of guests around the rooms of the mansion in hopes of revealing the true murderer while managing to stay alive themselves before the police can arrive. It is a raucous, slapstick, who-dun-it comedy that has audiences on the edge of their seats throughout. The stellar cast consist of Mark Price as Wadsworth. John Treacy Egan as Colonel Mustard, Michelle Elaine as Miss Scarlet, John Shartzer as Mr. Green, Tari Kelly as Mrs. White, Jonathan Spivey as Professor Plum, Joanna Glushak as Mrs. Peacock, Elisabeth Yancey as Yvette, Alex Syiek as Mr. Boddy, Mariah Burks as the Cook, and Teddy Trice as the Cop. The spectacular scenic design that allows movement throughout the mansion is by Lee Savage. Costume Designs are by Jen Caprio and Lighting Designs by Ryan J. O’Gara. Tickets for this fun, funny and fabulous mysterious theatrical romp may be purchased at www.BroadwayInBoston.com

 

This celebrated murder mystery comes to the stage of the Greater Boston Stage Company at 395 Main St. in Stoneham. Originally written by the English playwright Frederick Knott. It was rapidly adapted to the silver screen and directed by the famed Alfred Hitchcock. Now Jeffrey Hatcher has written an all new version for the stage. Directed by Weylin Symes, the tale surrounds Tony Wendice who learns that his wife Margot had a brief affair with mystery writer Mark Halliday. He decides to kill her but wants to provide himself with an ironclad alibi. So he blackmails Charles Swann, a one-time schoolmate with a shady past, to do the killing for him. The plan is simple. He will give Swann a key to their flat and goes out to dinner with Halliday. This allows Swann to let himself in and strangle Tony’s wife Margot. It begins as planned except Margot successfully defends herself, killing Swann in the process and is arrested for his murder. To further cement the case against his wife, Tony plants evidence to suggest that Swann had been blackmailing her. Thus Margaret is in prison awaiting execution on the gallows. It’s left to Mark Halliday along with the sympathetic investigator, Chief Inspector Hubbard, to do some serious sleuthing to save Margot and catch the real criminal, Toni. Tickets for this old fashioned murder mystery may be obtained at www.greaterbostonstage.org

 

The North Shore Music Theatre, located at 54 Dunham Road in Beverly brings an early opening to their 2024 Musical Season with a special encore of this 2006 2006 Tony® Award Winner for “Best Musical.” JERSEY BOYS is the compelling story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons who started out singing on a corner of the street for their own amusement. The production features a number of their legendary top ten hits such as Sherry, Big Girls Don’t Cry, Walk Like A Man, Can’t Take My Eyes Off You, December, 1963 (Oh What A Night) and many more. Tickets for this memorable, toe tapping night of fabulous music may be obtained at www.nsmt.org

The Merrimack Repertory Theatre The Nancy L. Donahue Theatre at Liberty Hall (adjacent to Lowell Memorial Auditorium) at 50 E. Merrimack Street in Lowell brings to their stage Dael Orlandershmith’s poignant production. Written and performed by Dael Orlandersmith, the show is directed by Neel Keller. Latin for breath, “Spiritus” is often used figuratively to mean spirit. In Dael Orlandersmith’s solo piece Spiritus/Virgil’s Dance the word takes on a metaphorical meaning for a soul on a quest. In conversation with Dante’s Divine Comedy, we meet Virgil in the middle of an ordinary life. With their father’s passing, Virgil reframes death and finds the extraordinary he has been searching for.
It is a memorable and sensitive exploration of the realities of death through the eyes of a watchful and troubled individual. Virgil, when a kid, used to hang out in cemeteries with friends. As an adult, he now finds himself pondering what does it mean to live a fulfilled life? In the midst of the ordinariness of our every day life, Spiritus/Virgil’s Dance becomes an extraordinary meditation on finding purpose. Tickets for this touchingly heartfelt, amusing and deeply reflected production may be obtained at www.mrt.org

 

 

It’s Spring and just in time to “PLAY BALL!” as the Huntington Theatre brings to their stage at 264 Huntington Ave. this true story that was inspired by Curveball: The Remarkable True Story of Toni Stone by western Massachusetts journalist and author Martha Ackmann. Written and directed by Lydia R. Diamond (Stick Fly, Smart People, The Bluest Eye), the play surrounds Toni Stone, an ace ballplayer who knows her stats, plus she’s got a really great arm. Rejected by the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League because of her race, she joined the Negro League, becoming the first woman to play professional baseball on a man’s team. She begins shattering expectations, hitting homeruns and pitching no hitters. It was said she pitched like a man. With increasing confidence, she started creating her own set of rules all in the face of constant prejudice from whites and from men on her own teams. Her story is filled with humor and the love of the game.

 

Huntington’s favorite playwright, Lydia R. Diamond, knocks it out of the park with this beautiful, rich portrait of a trailblazing woman. Artistic Director Loretta Greco stated, “I love this play almost as much as I love baseball. The return of beloved playwright Lydia R. Diamond to The Huntington is cause alone for celebration – but combine it with her latest based on the real life story of the indomitable Toni Stone, the first woman to play professional baseball in the male baseball league – during actual baseball season, and in America’s most baseball-loving city – and the result is pure joy!” From playwright and director Lydia R. Diamond: “I am so pleased to be back at The Huntington! Toni Stone is a play that is especially close to my heart. A woman with a singular focus who, through hard work and tenacity, realized her dreams. This fabulous theatre has once again helped me realize mine… To direct a play that I am so proud of, in the warm embrace of a theatre that feels like home, and in a town that loves baseball as much as our fearless Toni did!” The cast includes Ryan Vincent Anderson as King Tut (the celebrity of the team who is looking for his next opportunity to join the major leagues); Bobby Cius as Jimmy (the team’s newest member, timid but plays fast and hard); Anthony T. Goss as Elzie (tough-talking ballplayer with macho swagger covering his closeted sexuality); Stanley Andrew Jackson as Millie (Toni’s confidant and closest friend); Jonathan Kitt as Alberga (a Jamaican businessman drawn to Toni’s mind and energy); Al’Jaleel McGhee as Woody (a left-handed pitcher and Casanova that sometimes fails to arouse); Jennifer Mogbock as Toni Stone (star player of the Negro Baseball Leagues for nearly a dozen years); Omar Robinson as Stretch (team’s organized and methodical catcher, manager, and coach); and Olutayo Bosede (ensemble member and dance captain). The creative team for Toni Stone includes scenic design by Collette Pollard, costume design by Mara Blumenfeld, lighting design by Brian J. Lilienthal, sound design by Aubrey Dube and hair, wig, and makeup design by Earon D. Nealey. The dramaturg is Charles Haugland. The choreographer is Ebony Williams, the vocal and dialect coach is Kim James Bey, and the fight director and intimacy consultant is Ted Hewlett. The associate director is Devin Christor. The production stage manager is Emily F. McMullen and the stage managers are Lucas Bryce Dixon and Pat-rice Rooney.Toni Stone was Commissioned by Roundabout Theatre Company and Samantha Barrie, and originally Produced by Roundabout Theatre Company, New York, NY in association with Samantha Barrie. Toni Stone received development support from the Resident Artists Program at Arena Stage, Washington, D.C. Forbes stated, “The whole play is remarkable. The sheer joy that comes with breaking the status quo, of loving yourself, your life and what you bring to the table. Toni Stone captured all that.”  Tickets may be obtained at www.huntingtontheatre.org

 

 

 

Citizens Bank Opera House located at 539 Washington St. in Boston brings the return of this incredibly heartwarming and most powerful true story to be put on stage. It seems like yesterday when the world stopped everyone in the US s cold as terrorists flew two planes into NYC’s World Trade Center Twin Towers, then another into the Pentagon, and a fourth plane was heroically downed in a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania, aborting a hit on the United States Capitol Building in Washington, All planes in the air were immediately grounded on 9/11/2001 and over two hundred commercial flights were ordered to land in Canada. Thousands of stories surrounding planes grounded came out of that edict. Broadway’s COME FROM AWAY is not only a Best Musical winner on Broadway but became as such all across North America! The beauty of this story brings heartfelt tears of joy and compassion from all that experienced it. This New York Times Critics’ Pick focuses on the remarkable true story of the residents of the small town of Gander, Newfoundland, population 10,000. These amazing people opened their hearts and their doors to provide food, refuge and comfort to 7,000 stranded passengers that unceremoniously found their destinations disrupted due to that horrendous event. Cultures clashed and nerves were running high when the confused and frightened passengers disembarked after being confined on their grounded planes for almost a full day. But over a five day period, uneasiness turned into trust, music soared into the night, and gratitude grew into enduring friendships…even including a marriage. This breathtaking musical was written by Tony® nominees Irene Sankoff and David Hein, and is helmed by Tony-winning Best Director, Christopher Ashley. The book, music and lyrics are by Olivier, Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Award winners and Grammy and two-time Tony Award nominees Irene Sankoff & David Hein. The production is directed by Tony Award winner and Outer Critics Circle Award winner Christopher Ashley, with musical staging by Olivier Award winner and two-time Tony Award nominee Kelly Devine. The music supervision is by Olivier Award winner and Grammy Award nominee Ian Eisendrath. The tour is directed by Daniel Goldstein with musical staging by Richard J. Hinds, based on the original Broadway direction and choreography. The production features a scenic design by Tony Award winner Beowulf Boritt, with costume design by Tony Award d nominee Toni-Leslie James. The lighting design is by two-time Tony Award winner Howell Binkley, sound design by Olivier & Outer Critics Circle Award winner and Tony Award nominee Gareth Owen, orchestrations by Olivier Award winner and Grammy & Tony Award nominee August Eriksmoen, music arrangements by Olivier Award winner and Grammy Award nominee Ian Eisendrath. In addition to “Best Musical” winner all across North America, the smash hit musical has also won the Tony Award for “Best Direction of a Musical” (Christopher Ashley), 4 Olivier Awards (London) including “Best New Musical,” 5 Outer Critics Circle Awards (NYC) including “Outstanding New Broadway Musical,” 3 Drama Desk Awards (NYC) including “Outstanding Musical,” 4 Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Awards (North American Tour) including “Best Production,” 4 Helen Hayes Awards (D.C.) including “Outstanding Production of a Musical,” 4 Gypsy Rose Lee Awards (Seattle) including “Excellence in Production of a Musical,” 6 San Diego Critics Circle Awards including “Outstanding New Musical,” 3 Toronto Theatre Critics Awards including “Best New Musical,” 3 Dora Awards (Toronto) including “Outstanding New Musical/Opera” and “Outstanding Production,” and the 2017 Jon Kaplan Audience Choice Award (Toronto). But the largest award for this outstanding musical story is the response received from the hearts of everyone who experiences the amazing tales of generosity and love surrounding this true event. Tickets for this tribute to the kindness that came out of a crisis may be obtained at www.BroadwayInBoston.com

 

The American Repertory Theatre brings this world premiere musical to their stage at their Loeb Drama Center, 64 Brattle Street in Cambridge. Based on F. Scott Fitzgerald’s popular novel titled “The Great Gatsby” this production is composed by the international rock star Florence Welch (Florence + The Machine) along with the Oscar and Grammy Award nominee Thomas Bartlett (Doveman). The lyrics are also written by Florence Welch and the book is by Pulitzer Prize winner Martyna Majok (Cost of Living). Gatsby is staged by Tony Award-winning director Rachel Chavkin, (Hadestown; Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812 and Moby-Dick). The choreography is by Tony Award winner Sonya Tayeh (Moulin Rouge!). This legendary novel is brought to life by special arrangement with Amanda Ghost and Len Blavatnik for Unigram/Access Entertainment along with Jordan Roth, in association with Robert Fox. Hannah Giannoulis serves as co-producer. Additional production support of Gatsby is provided by Janet and Irv Plotkin. Tickets may be obtained at www.americanrepertorytheater.org

Main Stage Plays:
COVENANT John Minigan brings this intense tale surrounding Jordan whose mission was to infiltrate and report on an apocalyptic religious community. It ended in disaster. Questions from an unseen interrogator trigger Jordan’s memories of her time undercover, forcing her to confront the effects of the choices she’s made and decide whether the beliefs that guided her are any less destructive than the beliefs of those in the group. It asks audiences How do we become entrenched in the beliefs we hold, and what – if anything – can get us to walk away if those beliefs lead to chaos and destruction?
HOLY CHICKEN SANDWICH This comedic mystery of celestial proportions is written by Kira Rockwell.
It is the eve of the grand opening of a beloved, yet politically controversial fast-food empire. One hundred fervent devotees gather overnight in the parking lot to earn a year of free large combos. But there’s a fox in the chicken coop. Jade, the new store manager, must find the source of anarchy before the flock devolves into utter chaos. as audiences must examine indoctrination devotion possibly hidden in the secret sauce..
KNOCK DOWN DRAG OUT Rick Parks play surrounds developers who want to tear down Antoine’s, Boston’s only drag bar, to build some high-rise condos. Zonna, has been performing at the club for 2/3 of her life, and gets ideas after being visited by the ghost of her drag mother Crystal Crawford. Zonna bands together with her drag queen sisters Ivanka (the club’s 70 year old bartender and former chanteuse), Mx (a gender fluid college kid) and Sharia Law (a hardscrabble queen who has fought for everything she’s got). To protest, they stage a “drag in”, living in the club, while fending off the gentrification of their beloved neighborhood as well Mrs. Chao (an 80 year old Chinese woman on a permanent neighborhood watch).
ONCE UPON A CARNIVAL Angele Maraj & Brianna Pierre bring this original musical set in the Caribbean nation of Trinidad & Tobago.16-year-old Bhavan is forced to move from NYC to his mother’s home country of Trinidad after his father’s death. Faced with the task of overcoming grief while accepting his identity he undergoes a magical quest in the mythological bush land. The vibrant score is infused with chutney, soca and calypso sounds as Bhavan’s adventure tests his and the audience’s notions of grief, identity and found family during the magical world of Trinidad’s Carnival time.
Readings:
FALL WITH ME Jared Eberlein sets his play in 1932 Baltimore where Bithiah and J.J. Johnston are quietly surviving the Great Depression and doing what they can for their neighbors. Fifty-miles south, in the nation’s capital, one-quarter of America’s workforce are about to be out of work the work.. When J.J.’s fellow “doughboys” arrive, in search of someone to lead the fight against a government that’s left the veterans of The Great War and their families to perish, the smell of former glory intoxicates J.J and threatens to derail what little his family has. J.J. must decide what fight is truly his to win and what is worth the risk, should he lose.  
HOW TO “NOT” SAVE THE WORLD WITH MR. BEZOS Maggie Kearnan provides a futuristic look with this play. It’s 2030 and it’s illegal to be a billionaire. A throne of red Solo cups, a pile of teeth, the ghost of Pete Seeger, and a little something for dinner sets the tone as Jeffrey Bezos has agreed to give an interview in exchange for information on the federal case against him. But there’s something off about journalist Cherry Beaumont. A crowd is forming outside, and the onstage Fact Checker has a few important clarifications to make. In this near-future fairy tale, the fall of capitalism is about to get very messy.
MEET ME IN THE BATHROOM Cassie Seinuk’s themed play is rather current. It is set entirely in the girls’ bathroom of a high school in an average town. Freckles, a high school junior, innocently shows her friends a selfie of her and their sexy English teacher Mr. Murphy. Doing so, she unwillingly sets herself into a social and social media tailspin. The dominos begin to fall as mean girl with a grudge, Laser, steals Freckles’ phone and posts the photo online. The school’s beloved English teacher gets fired, Freckles gets kicked off student government, and loses her ticket to a stellar college application plus her popularity. Six teenagers are now faced with a moral decision. To stand with Freckles, resulting in social suicide, or save face, support the popular opinion that Freckles is a slut and must be destroyed!
STATE OF MAINE Tina Esper’s play brings Jane, after escaping a dangerous past in Minnesota, to a small seaside town. There she meets Moe who owns the Inn where Jane finds a room to rent. She also meets Beckett, Moe’s partner. But Beckett is experiencing the early stages of dementia and she and Moe are about to discover the cost of keeping a secret, even when it’s done with the best intentions. Moe, Beckett and Jane are all about to face the same inevitable question: what is worth remembering when the past is too painful to hold on to? State of Maine wrestles with the truth, challenges and beauty of letting go and starting over.
For more information about the Boston New Works Festival and to obtain tickets, go to www.moonboxproductions.org

 

Trinity Repertory Theatre brings to the stage of the Dowling Theater at 201 Washington St. in Providence RI this delightful, Tony Award-winning comedic musical by Jerry Herman and Harvey Fierstein. Translated, La Cage Aux Folles means (The Crazy Cage). The story was based on Jean Poiret’s 1973 farce about a gay nightclub owner and his life-time drag queen partner who are forced to pretend to be a heterosexual couple for a dinner to appease their son’s bigoted and mega conservative future in-laws. Directed by company member, Taavon Gamble, this beloved musical comedy was a milestone in gay theater history and has maintained incredible staying power. ever since. Tickets for this fun and very funny show may be obtained at www.trinitytep.org

 

 

This all new musical debuts its world premiere at Boston’s historic Emerson Colonial Theatre, 106 Boylston St. in Boston. Based on Lauren Greenfield’s award-winning 2012 documentary The Queen of Versailles surrounding the life of beauty queen, socialite and TV personality Jacqueline “Jackie” Siegel, this Broadway-bound musical features music and lyrics by  celebrated, 3 time Oscar-winning composer and lyricist, Stephen Schwartz (Wicked,

Godspell, Pippin, The Magic Show, The Baker’s Wife, Working, Rags, and Children of Eden as well as Disney’s Pocahontas, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Enchanted, and Disenchanted, and for DreamWorks animated feature The Prince of Egypt). The production stars the incomparable, stage and screen, Tony and Emmy Award winning

actress and singing sensation, Kristin Chenoweth as Ms. Siegel. Joining Ms. Chenoweth for the pre-Broadway Boston engagement is the Academy Award-winning actor F. Murray Abraham as David Siegel. In addition, the seasoned stars of both stage and screen, Melody Butiu (Broadway’s Here Lies Love) plays Sofia Flores, while Nina White (Broadway’s Kimberly Akimbo) plays Victoria Siegel. Directed by

Tony Award winner Michael Arden (Parade, Once on This Island) and book by Lindsey Ferrentino (Ugly Lies the Bone, Amy and the Orphans), this story follows the true story of Jackie Siegel who went from computer engineer to Mrs. Florida to billionairess. Jackie Siegel sees herself as the embodiment of the American Dream. As the wife of David “The Timeshare King”, Jackie Siegel, mother of their eight children, invite us to behold their most grandiose venture yet. They are building the

largest private home in America in Orlando, Florida! It is a $100 million house that is big enough to hold her dreams and was actually inspired by the Palace of Versailles.

Do two adults plus 8 children really need a 35 car garage and 2300 rooms to literally get lost in, along with a ball room that would hold 1000.. But with the Great Recession of 2008 looming, Jackie and David’s dreams begin to crumble, along with their lavish lifestyle. The Queen of Versailles explores the true cost of fame, fortune, and family. The Queen of Versailles is produced by Kristin Chenoweth through her production

banner “Diva Worldwide Entertainment” along with Bill Damaschke, who also produced  Moulin Rouge! The Musical. Tickets for this not-to-be-missed production’s world premiere at Boston’s Emerson Colonial Theatre are now on sale at www.emersoncolonialtheatre.com

 

 

Regent Theatre:    www.regenttheatre.com

 

Regis College:   www.regiscollege.edu/fa

 

Speakeasy Stage Co.:  www.speakeasystage.com

 

Suffolk University Theatre Department: www.moderntheatre.com 

 

Suffolk University Theatre: www.inyurl.com/Suffolk

 

Theatre By The Sea:  www.theatrebythesea.com

 

Theater Uncorked:   www.theateruncorked.com