The Pirate Queen Cadillac Palace Theatre

Producers of "The Pirate Queen," an epic musical tale from the writers of "Les Miserables" and "Miss Saigon," have announced that Stephanie J. Block, the former Elphaba in the first national tour of "Wicked,” will star in the pre-Broadway debut in Chicago this fall.

As first announced by Block at the stage door after her final performance in “Wicked” March 5, her managers confirmed her contract Monday and producers are expected to announce the full cast soon.

The show, which will begin performances Oct. 3, 2006, at Chicago's Cadillac Palace Theatre, features a book and score by Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schonberg. "The Pirate Queen" tells the story of Grace O'Malley, a spirited Irish clan leader who resists the English domination of Ireland.

The lavish show, employing 40 performers, will play Chicago through Nov. 26, 2006, then travel to New York for the 2006-07 Broadway season.

"The Pirate Queen" will be directed by Frank Galati, director of "Ragtime" as well as the Steppenwolf Theatre Company production of "The Grapes of Wrath."

It will be produced by Moya Doherty and John McColgan, the team which brought the world "Riverdance," the Irish dance extravaganza.