Written by Lindsey Ferrentino
Based on the documentary by Lauren Greenfield
World Premiere Production
Boston's Emerson Colonial Theatre, July 16th-August 18th
Synopsis:
From computer engineer to Mrs. Florida to billionairess, Jackie Siegel sees herself as the embodiment of the American Dream. Now, as the wife of David “The Timeshare King” Siegel and mother of their eight children, she invites us to behold their most grandiose venture yet: building the largest private home in America — a $100 million house in Orlando, Florida, big enough for her dreams and inspired by the Palace of Versailles. But with the Great Recession of 2008 looming, Jackie and David’s dreams begin to crumble, along with their lavish lifestyle. Based on the wildly astonishing documentary directed by award-winning filmmaker Lauren Greenfield, The Queen of Versailles reunites celebrated Academy Award®–winning songwriter Stephen Schwartz with Tony® and Emmy Award® winner Kristin Chenoweth as Jackie Siegel. Co-starring Academy Award® winner F. Murray Abraham as David Siegel, with a book by Lindsey Ferrentino (Ugly Lies the Bone, Amy and the Orphans) and direction by Tony Award winner Michael Arden (Parade, Once on This Island), The Queen of Versailles is a new musical exploring the true cost of fame, fortune, and family.
reviews and accolades
★★★★★
New York Times CRITICS PICK!
”A book that is as funny as anything Broadway has seen in decades”
Peter & Jackie Chianca, Boston.com
”Lindsey Ferrentino comes into her own. Her much-produced PTSD drama ‘Ugly Lies the Bone’ demonstrated a moral conscience second to none among her generation of playwrights, and she wields it here.”
Bob Verini, Variety
There are actors who seem tailor-made to play certain roles, and then there is Kristin Chenoweth in The Queen of Versailles: Not since she belted “Popular” in a bundle of pink tulle has Chenoweth sunk her teeth into a part so uniquely suited to her talents. And it makes sense, given that The Queen of Versailles reunites the performer with her Wicked composer and lyricist Stephen Schwartz, who developed the role of Glinda the Good Witch with Chenoweth in mind back in the early aughts.
Vogue: Take me back to when Stephen first approached you about this project.
Kristin Chenoweth: Our wonderful writer Lindsey came to Stephen first because she’s from Florida and had met Jackie at a beach club. Her first impression was, This lady is like a Gypsy Rose, there needs to be a musical about her. So she went to Stephen, who went to our producer Bill Damaschke, who went to our director, Michael Arden, and they all called me at the beginning of COVID with this idea. Michael really had to talk me through his vision because I was immediately like, How is that gonna work?