N—The Queen of Paris will premiere at the Elgin Theatre in Toronto in September 2015, followed by its U.S. premiere in Chicago at Broadway In Chicago's Bank of America Theatre, a Nederlander company, starting November 2015. The musical is scheduled to open on Broadway in March 2016.



Ella Louise Allaire and Martin Lord Ferguson will co-direct N—The Queen of Paris — which promises "gaslight glimpses into the backstage world of Parisian theaters, 'Joie de vivre' and courtesans' salons" — and have developed the show's book, music and lyrics.

Joining Allaire and Ferguson on the creative team is set and prop designer Michael Curry (The Lion King).

"I have been immersed in the world of 'Nana' ever since I first read the novel as a student," said Allaire in a statement. "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."

Curry added, "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." The complete creative team, casting, venues and schedule will be announced at a later date.

For more information and a musical preview, visit NTheMusical.com.