Meet Nina White – The Soul of 'The Queen of Versailles'

EDGE: You wake up every morning knowing you will work with Kristin Chenoweth and F. Murray Abraham. What is that like for you?

Nina White: It's both crazy and wild. I have always been a fan of Kristin's, but who isn't? When I first became interested in musical theater in middle school, I spent countless hours watching videos of her. I even wrote a book report on her memoir for a sixth-grade project, and I wrote her a fan letter. After I first got the role, we did a reading, and I couldn't even believe I was doing a two-week reading with her and playing her daughter. Kristin is precisely how you would hope she would be. She is unbelievably hardworking and fastidious. She takes her work seriously, but she's also kind, gracious, and warm. She's so amazing to be on stage with because she's just an incredible actor, and I love acting with her. I also can't believe that I'm doing this show with Murray, who is incredible. He's also a hard worker. He was here throughout the rehearsal process and any downtime. He was always running his lines and walking through on tech days when he wasn't called, but he would always be at the theater, even for the orchestra rehearsals. They both have such a love for making theater, which I think sometimes people lose. Also, they both love being on stage, and they love all of the work that happens behind the curtain. I've just been watching and learning from them.

EDGE: Has that helped you as an actor?

Nina White: Most definitely. They are such amazing examples, and I truly could only hope to be the kind of leader that they are if I were ever to lead a company. I am like a little sponge absorbing everything I can from them.

EDGE: What is it like to sing Stephen Schwartz's music?

Nina White: It's incredible. I can't believe I am part of a new Stephen Schwartz musical. It's very surreal. Stephen is so brilliant, and it's been so amazing to watch his attention to detail. We've had so many little, tiny lyric changes throughout the process. Sometimes, we'll switch back, and then we'll go back to the other version we tried just the other day. I do feel like he cares so much about getting things exactly right, and he's so thorough. He's a genius, and it's been surreal. Mostly, I can't believe I am here. His music is so beautiful. It's so sweeping, and there are so many wonderful genres that play in our score.

EDGE: Are you enjoying Boston?

Nina White: I've been to Boston a few times, but I've never worked in Boston. I'm having a fabulous time. I am someone who feels a little lukewarm about New York, which may be sacrilege to admit. I'm originally from Michigan and I like trees and seeing the sky. I do love so many things about New York, but it's a little tough for me sometimes to live there. Boston's been wonderful because it's a city, and everyone's out and about all the time living their lives, and it's a little bit quieter. I've been riding the blue bikes all over the place, which has been amazing. I will happily work here anytime. I'm a big fan of Boston.

EDGE: How is the LGBTQ+ community going to connect with the show?

Nina White: Another great question. Kristin is going to be a huge draw. Gay icon Kristin Chenoweth. I mean, who doesn't want to see her perform on stage? There's a part of Victoria who I play who has this chronic feeling of not fitting or not being able to herself. She doesn't always feel like she quite fits in. As a queer person myself, I feel like we as a community can really relate to that but also come for Kristin.

"The Queen of Versailles" continues through August 25 at the Emerson Colonial Theatre, 106 Bolyston Street, Boston, MA. For more information, visit the Emerson Colonial website.