Queen of Clubs is a brand spanking new rock-and-roll musical spanning from the 1950s to the late 1990s, capturing the vibrant evolution of music across five decades. Through the story of Sydney — a resilient music venue manager turned owner — the musical highlights her unwavering perseverance in a male-dominated industry.
This "jukebox" style production features original rock and pop songs that reflect the changing sounds of each era. Blending energetic period-specific tunes with heartfelt and comedic character-driven numbers, Queen of Clubs explores themes of resilience, friendship, forgiveness, and self-expression set against the lively backdrop of New York City’s nightlife.
As Sydney navigates financial struggles and societal shifts threatening her venue’s survival, she learns to listen to her own voice and becomes an advocate for those around her. The show celebrates the transformative power of music in people's lives and mirrors the cultural changes across the decades.
Book, Music & Lyrics by
Kimberly Korn & Michael O’Dell
Queen of Clubs is inspired by NYC’s iconic Peppermint Lounge.
Developed at the NYPL for the Performing Arts at Lincoln Center with Across a Crowded Room
BIG NEWS FOR FALL ‘26
Official selection of the Spark Musical Theatre Festival, November. 2026.
Official selection of the NYPL’s annual incubator program series, Across a Crowded Room, which features original 20-minute musicals at Lincoln Center. The abbreviated version is titled The Lounge.

