N—THE QUEEN OF PARIS to Play Toronto & Chicago in 2015 with Broadway in Sight

Montréal's Monlove Enterprises today announced the world premiere of N-The Queen of Paris. The new musical was inspired by the Champagne atmosphere and rags-to-riches romance of Emile Zola's classic novel Nana with its gaslight glimpses into the backstage world of Parisian theaters, "Joie de vivre" and courtesans' salons.

N-THE QUEEN OF PARIS will have its U.S. Premiere in Chicago at Broadway In Chicago's Bank of America Theatre (18 W. Monroe) starting November 2015, following the premiere at the Elgin Theatre in Toronto in September 2015. It will open on Broadway in March 2016.

Ella Louise Allaire and Martin Lord Ferguson, the creative force behind some of the most recent successful touring shows, are co-directing N-THE QUEEN OF PARIS and have developed the show's book, music and lyrics. Joining them on the creative team is set and prop designer Michael Curry, whose spectacular visions have been integral to shows from The Lion King on Broadway to productions at La Scala and the Paris Opera.

"I have been immersed in the world of Nana ever since I first read the novel as a student," said Ella Louise Allaire. "Although the book is set in the Second Empire, when the boulevards, cafés and nightlife of modern Paris were just being born, I felt an instant bond with its figure of a fascinating young street singer determined to rise in the world. Nana to me is in many ways a very modern woman. Martin and I now want to bring her to life as a character who is of our time, and yet remains magically surrounded by the fabulous, legendary Paris of years past."

Michael Curry stated, "As I allowed myself to consider what the world of N-THE QUEEN OF PARIS might look like, I was drawn toward the French painting of Zola's own time, which was simply the strongest era of artistic expression the world has ever known. The production design is a contemporary variation that lives in harmony with the sophistication and epic vision of the great Impressionists. Our audiences will be reminded of that period but treated to a new and transformative world of beauty and excitement on our stage."

To hear an excerpt from Allaire and Ferguson's eclectic fusion of today's sounds with the flavor of 19th-century French music hall and manouche jazz, please click here.

Further news about the creative team, casting, venues and schedule will be announced shortly. For information about the making of N-THE QUEEN OF PARIS, visit www.nthemusical.com.

"From the Marquise de Pompadour to Napoleon, Moet & Chandon has been well-loved by iconic celebrities throughout its esteemed history" stated Ludovic du Plessis, Head of Global Public Relations Development, Moët & Chandon. "We are excited to be involved in N-THE QUEEN OF PARIS, a production that will bring the Champagne atmosphere of Emile Zola's classic novel Nana to life."

SOLOTECH is the official technical partner of N-THE QUEEN OF PARIS.