Pittsburgh audiences are the first to experience this new musical about a visionary woman in the 1800s who transformed a French winery into one that to this day is at the pinnacle of the champagne industry. Madame Clicquot is based on the true story of Barbe-Nicole Clicquot. She overcame the obstacles of the French Revolution, Napoleon’s rule, and the limitations imposed on women to become a successful entrepreneur of the bubbly.
This world premiere, stacked with Broadway talent, uses state-of-the-art graphics and elaborate period costumes. The score reminds me of the
classic “Rodgers and Hammerstein” musical era.
Cheers to what this lady
accomplished and to CLO’s new musical production.
Refection
It's refreshing to see a musical tackling the subject of an independent businesswoman in the 19th century. Barbie-Nicole invented new techniques to make champagne and was the first to blend rosé champagne in 1818. That is my kind of lady.
The musical covers periods from 1789 to 1810 by utilizing realistic video backdrops. There are 14 scene changes in Act I and 10 in Act II. I would have liked less movement, but each gave way to another historical event. I was most impressed with the opening of Act II, Napoleon’s War, which used a spectrum of reds and oranges, flashes of light, and campfires to take us to the battlefield. It had the wow factor.
Victoria Frings (Barbie-Nicole), from the start singing, “It Could Be Mine” electrifies the show with her powerhouse vocals. She had the stamina for the score. Christian Thompson (Francois Clicquot), the husband, blended well in their duet “The Man He Chose For Me.” Nick Laughlin (Napoleon) added some comic relief. Every character in this show had a wonderfully sophisticated sound.
Like Hamilton, this show sparks interest in history through music. It seemed top-heavy with ballads, even though each one was sung beautifully. The Russian dancing energizes Act II.
Raise your glass to CLO for bringing a hot-off-the-press new show
to Pittsburgh. It educates us on the
history behind the queen of the bubbly and brings back enchanting melodies. Cheers to Madame Clicquot.
(Madame Cliquot runs through June 7, 2025, at the Byham Theater. For tickets go to pittsburghclo.org.)
