The Queen of Versailles (musical)

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The Queen of Versailles
Queen of Versailles Boston Poster.png
Boston theatre poster
Music Stephen Schwartz
LyricsStephen Schwartz
Book Lindsey Ferrentino
Basis The Queen of Versailles
PremiereJuly 16, 2024 (2024-07-16): Emerson Colonial Theatre
Productions2024 Boston

The Queen of Versailles is a 2024 musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, and a book by Lindsey Ferrentino. It is based on the 2012 documentary of the same name directed by Lauren Greenfield about Jackie and David Siegel, owners of Westgate Resorts, who are building a gigantic mansion, Versailles, in central Florida. [1]

Contents

The musical premiered at Emerson Colonial Theatre in Boston, Massachusetts in July and August 2024, starring Kristin Chenoweth and F. Murray Abraham. Reviews have been mostly positive. [2] A Broadway production in the 2025–2026 season is planned.

Synopsis

In central Florida, just as the housing bubble bursts and the 2008 financial crisis nearly bankrupts them, Jackie and David Siegel, are building a gigantic mansion named and modeled after the Palace of Versailles in France. Jackie is a former model and Mrs. Florida pageant winner, warm, optimistic, and naïve; her husband David, 30 years her senior, is an aggressive businessman, as optimistic as his wife; he is the founder and owner of Westgate Resorts, famous for its timeshares, and also owns property in Las Vegas.

Jackie's life story unfolds, from her middle-class, small town childhood to her ambitious pursuit of her life of luxury and celebrity. This is juxtaposed against events in the history of the royal court of Versailles involving Marie Antoinette. As the Great Recession strikes, construction on the house is halted and the entire staff is let go, other than the Siegels' longtime driver and nanny. Jackie struggles to control her shopping addiction, and David focuses single-mindedly on saving his real estate empire. Jackie's relationship with her daughter Victoria evolves, and Victoria forms a bond with her cousin, Jonquil, who comes to live with the Siegels.

Through David's efforts, the family's fortunes eventually recover, and they avert bankruptcy. A devastating tragedy strikes when Victoria dies.

Productions

Boston (2024)

The musical premiered at Emerson Colonial Theatre in Boston, Massachusetts, on July 16, with an opening night on August 1, and ran there until August 25, 2024. [3] [4] It starred Kristin Chenoweth as Jackie Siegel and F. Murray Abraham as David A. Siegel with direction by Michael Arden and choreography by Lauren Yalango-Grant and Christopher Cree Grant. [5] In Variety , Bob Verini called the show Chenoweth's "richest opportunity to date to flex her dramatic muscles [and] the most emotionally affecting score, bar none, of [Schwartz's] long career"; he praised the musical's "sociopolitical critique", Chenoweth, Abraham ("staggeringly good") White, Butiu and the designers, but noted that the long "piece begs to be tightened". [6] Other positive reviews included those in Boston.com, [7] The New York Times (which cautioned that Act II needs improvement), [8] and Time Out. [9] Less enthusiastic was the review by Cameron Kelsall in TheaterMania. [10] [2]

Planned Broadway production

A Broadway production is expected to open in the 2025–2026 season. [4]

Characters and original cast

CharacterBoston
2024
Jackie Siegel Kristin Chenoweth
David A. Siegel F. Murray Abraham
Sofia FloresMelody Butiu
John Stephen DeRosa
GaryGreg Hildreth
Jonquil PeedTatum Grace Hopkins
Debbie Isabel Keating
Victoria SiegelNina White

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References

  1. ↑ Putnam, Leah (February 24, 2023). "Kristin Chenoweth and Stephen Schwartz to Reunite on Queen of Versailles Musical". Playbill. Retrieved July 7, 2024.
  2. 1 2 Wright, Joshua. "Review Roundup: Kristin Chenoweth Led The Queen of Versailles", BroadwayWorld.com, August 2, 2024
  3. ↑ Cortez, Benjamin. "Kristin Chenoweth Shines in Pre-Broadway Premiere of The Queen of Versailles at Boston's Emerson Colonial Theatre", Hoodline, July 16, 2024
  4. 1 2 Evans, Greg. "The Queen of Versailles, Starring Kristin Chenoweth & F. Murray Abraham, Sets Broadway Bow", Deadline, July 29, 2024
  5. ↑ King, Darryn (May 13, 2024). "The Queen of Versailles, Starring Kristin Chenoweth, Extends World Premiere and Completes Casting". Broadway.com. Retrieved July 7, 2024.
  6. ↑ Verini, Bob. "The Queen of Versailles Review: Kristin Chenoweth Shines in a Lavish New Musical with a Social Satire Bite", Variety, August 2, 2024
  7. ↑ Chianca, Peter and Jackie. "Review: Kristin Chenoweth is a royal joy in Broadway-bound The Queen of Versailles", Boston.com, August 3, 2024
  8. ↑ Collins-Hughes, Laura. "Two New Musicals Poke at the Seamy Underbelly of the American Dream", The New York Times, August 3, 2024
  9. ↑ "Review: The Queen of Versailles", Time Out, August 2, 2024
  10. ↑ Kelsall, Cameron. "Review: Kristin Chenoweth-Led The Queen of Versailles Has Curb Appeal but Not Much Else", TheaterMania, August 2, 2024
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