Natalie McQueen (born 1 June 1989) is an English actress known for her performances in a number of UK West End productions including Bonnie & Clyde, 9 to 5, Kinky Boots and Wicked.
She was named as one of the ten theatre faces to look out for in 2017Hewis, Ben. "10 theatre faces to look out for in 2017" Whats On Stage, 27 Dec 2016, accessed 21 Sep 2018 after her performance in a one-night-only concert entitled An evening with Frank Wildhorn and friends in Manchester.Mayo, Douglas. "Laura Osnes Joins Frank Wildhorn and Friends In Manchester" British Theatre, 10 Nov 2016, accessed 21 Sep 2018 Shenton, Mark. "Laura Osnes and Jackie Burns to Appear with Frank Wildhorn in Manchester Concert" Playbill, 18 Oct 2016, accessed 21 Sep 2018 Kitchener, Shaun. "Dolly Parton musical 9 to 5 casts Strictly Come Dancing and Love Island stars for West End" Express, 13 Sep 2018, accessed 21 Sep 2018
In September 2018, it was announced that McQueen would play the leading role of Doralee Rhodes in the first West End run of Broadway musical 9 to 5, a character originally played by Dolly Parton in the 1980s film of the same name.Corrodus, Corinne. "Louise Redknapp to star in West End production of Dolly Parton's 9 to 5 musical" The Telegraph, 13 Sep 2018, accessed 21 Sep 2018
Early and personal life
McQueen was born in Dagenham, East London. She trained at CPA school and subsequently CPA studios,Martland, Lisa. “The Stage Scholarships 2016: CPA Studios” The Stage, 19 Mar 2016, accessed 21 Sep 2018 both part of Colin's Performing Arts Group founded by principal Colin Putz, alongside James Buckley, Jessie J, The Loveable Rogues, Anne Marie, Rochelle Humes, Frankie Bridge and Jack Shalloo.
As of 2022, she is dating American singer Josh Groban.https://people.com/theater/josh-groban-and-natalie-mcqueen-are-dating-so-gosh-dang-stupid-happy Groban revealed on April 21, 2026 that they were engaged.
Career McQueen made her professional theatre debut at the age of 8, playing Young Eponine in Les Misérables, at the Palace Theatre, London. This was followed the role of Eva in the original London cast of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang at the London Palladium.
In 2013, McQueen was one of the five UK industry jury members for the Eurovision Song Contest alongside Tony Blackburn and Scott Mills.Wolff, Emerson ”Former Dagenham schoolgirl to star in West End musical Kinky Boots” Barking and Dagenham Post, 4 Jun 2018, accessed 21 Sep 2018
In the same year, she joined the cast of Wicked at the Apollo Theatre in London. She performed a variety of roles up until 2016, including Elphaba and Nessarose. She also performed Elphaba's songs on behalf of Wicked at the West End Live Launches in 2015 and 2016, and at The Annual Wicked Young Writers Awards.
In 2015 and whilst still in Wicked, McQueen played Chrissie Starr in the workshop Becoming Nancy, directed by Jerry Mitchell and based on the book by Terry Ronald. The following year, McQueen was cast as the alternate to the leading role of Sara played by Kerry Ellis in Murder Ballad, in a cast that also included Ramin Karimloo, Victoria Hamilton-Barritt and Norman Bowman.
In 2017 McQueen was cast as the Mad Hatter in the European premiere of Frank Wildhorn’s Wonderland alongside Kerry Ellis, Wendi Peters and Dave Willetts.Hewis, Ben. “Meet Frank Wildhorn and the cast of Wonderland “ Whats On Stage, 9 Jan 2017, accessed 21 Sep 2018 The show opened at the Edinburgh Playhouse and went on to tour the UK.
In 2017 she played Dinah in the rework of Andrew Lloyd Webber's Starlight Express at The Other Palace.
In April 2018, it was announced that McQueen would be taking over the role of Lauren in a new casting line-up for the West End production of Cyndi Lauper and Harvey Fierstein’s Kinky Boots, alongside Oliver Tompsett, Sean Needham and Simon-Anthony Rhoden, at the Adelphi Theatre in London’s West End.Hewis, Ben. “Kinky Boots announces new West End casting and extension” Whats On Stage, 23 Apr 2018, accessed 21 Sep 2018 McQueen’s first performance was on 4 June 2018.Ackman, Nicole. “BWW Interview: Oliver Tompsett, Simon-Anthony Rhoden and Natalie McQueen Talk KINKY BOOTS” Broadway World, 29 May 2018, accessed 21 Sep 2018 The run of the show concluded on 12 January 2019.Hewis, Ben. “My Top 5 Showtunes: Natalie McQueen” Whats On Stage, 14 Jul 2018, accessed 21 Sep 2018
In January 2019, McQueen began playing the role of Doralee Rhodes in the West End production of 9 To 5: The Musical at the Savoy Theatre in London. The show ran until August 31.Paskett, Zoe. "9 to 5 the Musical London: Tickets, cast and all you need to know about the Savoy Theatre's new Dolly Parton show" Evening Standard, 23 Jan 2019, accessed 13 Feb 2019 Wolf, Matt. "Natalie McQueen on Bringing 9 to 5 to the West End in the #MeToo Era and Her Dream Trip to Dollywood" Broadway, 6 Feb 2019, accessed 13 Feb 2019 Swain, Marianka. "BWW Interview: Natalie McQueen Talks 9 TO 5 THE MUSICAL" Broadway World, 3 Feb 2109, accessed 13 Feb 2019 McQueen received positive reviews for her performance.Fitch Little, Harriet. "9 to 5: The Musical - Dolly Parton movie gets workaday stage makeover." Financial Times, 18 Feb 2019, accessed 25 Feb 2019Maxwell, Dominic. "Review: 9 to 5 the Musical, Savoy Theatre, WC2." The Times, 18 Feb 2019, accessed 25 Feb 2019.
In 2021 Natalie was announced to play Catherine in Pippin in London.
In 2022, Natalie played Blanche Barrow in Bonnie and Clyde in Concert Bonnie & Clyde at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. Broadway's Jeremy Jordan played Clyde Barrow with Frances Mayli McCann as Bonnie. It was later announced that McQueen would play the role as part of the original West End cast of Bonnie & Clyde, which is set to premiere at the Arts Theatre in April 2022.
Theatre credits
Year Title Role Venue Production company2002 Les Misérables Young Eponine Palace Theatre, London Cameron Mackintosh Ltd2002 Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Eva (sewer child) London Palladium Michael Rose Productions2011 Bluebirds” BlueBirds musical at Above the Stag from 17 Aug 2011” London Theatre, 27 Jul 2011, accessed 21 Sep 2018 Virginia and Samantha Above the Stag Theatre, London Lambco2012 Rent Ensemble Greenwich Theatre Paul Taylor Mills Productions2012 Spring Awakening Ilse Broadway Theatre, Catford Broadway Theatre2013 Chess Angela St Angelo, cover Florence Vassey Union Theatre, London The Union Theatre2013 and 2014 Wicked Ensemble, 1st Cover Elphaba Apollo Victoria Playful Productions2016 Wicked Ensemble, 1st Cover Elphaba, 2nd Cover Nessarose Apollo Victoria Playful Productions2016 Murder Ballad Alternate Sara / Understudy Narrator (lead roles) Arts Theatre, London Soundcheck Productions2017 Wicked Nessarose (emergency standby) Apollo Victoria Playful Productions2017 Wicked Elphaba (emergency standby) Apollo Victoria, London Playful Productions2017 Wonderland The Mad Hatter Edinburgh Playhouse and UK tour Neil Eckersley Productions2017 Les Misérables Eponine Pimlico Opera Pimlico Opera2017 Starlight Express Dinah The Other Palace, London Really Useful Group2018 Kinky Boots Lauren Adelphi Theatre, London Playful Productions2019 9 to 5 The Musical Doralee Savoy Theatre, London Ambassador Theatre Group2021 Pippin Catherine Charing Cross Theatre, London Adam Blanshay Productions2022 Bonnie & Clyde Blanche Barrow Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, London DLAP & Fourth Wall2022 Bonnie & Clyde Blanche Barrow Arts Theatre, London DLAP & Fourth Wall2022 and 2023 Jack & The Beanstalk Jill London Palladium, London Crossroads Pantomimes
References
External links
Natalie McQueen on Broadway World