Kristin Chenoweth and Stephen Schwartz Perform ‘This is Not the Way’ From Queen of Versailles on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert
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Kristin Chenoweth and Stephen Schwartz Perform ‘This is Not the Way’ From Queen of Versailles on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert
The new musical will play the St. James Theatre through January 4.
Kristin Chenoweth
Michaelah Reynolds
Kristin Chenoweth and Wicked composer Stephen Schwartz reunited to perform a song from The Queen of Versailles, Schwartz’s new Broadway musical that he wrote for his former Wicked leading lady. The pair dropped by The Late Show with Stephen Colbert December 1, where Chenoweth sang the show’s Act One closer “This is Not the Way,” accompanied by Schwartz on the piano. See the performance below.
Broadway’s The Queen of Versailles began previews on October 8 at the St. James Theatre, officially opening November 9. The production announced last week that its closing date will be January 4, 2026.
Chenoweth is playing the titular role of Jackie Siegel opposite Academy Award winner F. Murray Abraham (Amadeus) as David Siegel. The musical, adapted from Lauren Greenfield’s 2012 documentary by book writer Lindsey Ferrentino (The Fear of 13), 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. “This Is Not the Way” takes place after the couple learn about the financial crisis and how it will affect their lives.
Two-time Tony winner Michael Arden (Maybe Happy Ending) is at the helm.
Both Chenoweth and Abraham are reprising their performances from the musical’s pre-Broadway tryout last year, along with 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. Broadway favorite Sherie Rene Scott will play Jackie Siegel at certain performances (find out when here).
READ: To Kristin Chenoweth, Queen of Versailles Is ‘a Cautionary Tale of the American Dream’
The company also includes Pablo David Laucerica, David Aron Damane, KJ Hippensteel, Drew Elhamalawy, Michael McCorry Rose, Andrew Kober, Ryah Nixon, Shea Renne, Cassondra James, and Yeman Brown. Standby Christopher Gurr, and swings Jesse Kovarsky, Travis Murad Leland, Grace Slear, Anne Fraser Thomas, and Jake Bentley Young round out the company. Casting is by Stephen Kopel and Carrie Gardner of C12 Casting.
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, orchestrations by John Clancy, technical costume design by Ryan Park, props by Ray Wetmore and JR Goodman, music coordination by Kristy Norter, and resident direction by Stephen Sposito. Clarissa Marie Ligon is production stage manager.
The Queen of Versailles is being produced by Bill Damaschke, Seaview, and Chenoweth’s Diva Worldwide Entertainment, Jack Lane, Tanninger Entertainment, PamHurst-Della Pietra & Stephen Della Pietra, and Nelda Yaw Buckman/Natasha Davison/Dori Berinstein.
Visit QueenOfVersaillesMusical.com.
