The Queen of Versailles (musical)
| The Queen of Versailles | |
|---|---|
 Boston theatre poster | |
| Music | Stephen Schwartz |
| Lyrics | Stephen Schwartz |
| Book | Lindsey Ferrentino |
| Basis | The Queen of Versailles |
| Premiere | July 16, 2024: Emerson Colonial Theatre |
| Productions | 2024 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 about Jackie and David Siegel, owners of Westgate Resorts, who are building a gigantic mansion, Versailles, in central Florida.[1]
Synopsis
[edit]![[icon]](/wiki/File:Wiki_letter_w_cropped.svg){kind=small} | This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (July 2024) |
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 staff is let go, including 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
[edit]The musical premiered at Emerson Colonial Theatre in Boston, Massachusetts, on July 16 and is expected to run there until August 25, 2024.[2] It stars 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.[3]
Characters and original cast
[edit]| Character | Boston (2024) |
|---|---|
| Jackie Siegel | Kristin Chenoweth |
| David A. Siegel | F. Murray Abraham |
| Sofia Flores | Melody Butiu |
| John | Stephen DeRosa |
| Gary | Greg Hildreth |
| Jonquil Peed | Tatum Grace Hopkins |
| Debbie Debbie | Isabel Keating |
| Victoria Siegel | Nina White |
References
[edit]- ^ Putnam, Leah (February 24, 2023). "Kristin Chenoweth and Stephen Schwartz to Reunite on Queen of Versailles Musical". Playbill. Retrieved July 7, 2024.
- ^ Cortez, Benjamin. "Kristin Chenoweth Shines in Pre-Broadway Premiere of The Queen of Versailles at Boston's Emerson Colonial Theatre", Hoodline, July 16, 2024
- ^ King, Darryn (May 13, 2024). "The Queen of Versailles, Starring Kristin Chenoweth, Extends World Premiere and Completes Casting". Broadway.com. Retrieved July 7, 2024.
External links
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