Rosie O'Donnell and Kristin Chenoweth led an industry reading of The Pyramid: An Unauthorized "Dance Moms" Musical in New York on Monday, October 19. O'Donnell read Abby Lee Miller. Chenoweth read Cathy Nesbitt-Stein.
The reading was for invited industry guests only. No public performances, dates or venue have been announced.
The show sends up Dance Moms, the Lifetime reality series that ran for eight seasons from 2011 to 2019. It followed the young dancers of the Abby Lee Dance Company, their mothers and their famously exacting teacher. O'Donnell takes on Miller, the series' central figure. Chenoweth plays Nesbitt-Stein, a rival dance teacher.
The musical tells a story of its own. Christi and her daughter Chloe are getting through another week at the studio when Chloe lands at the top of Miller's weekly pyramid. Then Christi has to decide how far she will go to keep her there.
Music and lyrics are by James Stryska and Isabel Grace, who conceived the show. The book is by Erica Molfetto and Molly Russo. It started life as song demos on social media, which have passed 5.6 million views, and had a concert premiere at The Green Room 42 in 2025.
Television producer and casting director Logan Clark is the lead producer. Tye Blue, co-creator of Titaníque, is the creative producer. A Kickstarter launched in July to pay for a workshop and the next stage of development.
The reading came a day after O'Donnell finished a two-week turn as the Narrator in The Rocky Horror Show at Studio 54, covering for Rachel Dratch.
For more information, visit the official website.
