Kristin Chenoweth Shines in The Queen of Versailles on Broadway
If you’ve ever wondered what happens when Broadway meets real-life opulence, “The Queen of Versailles” offers a spectacle worth seeing, though it may leave you a bit conflicted. The new musical, which opened at the St. James Theatre on November 9, 2025, brings the story of Jackie and David Siegel—the billionaire couple behind America’s largest private home—to the Broadway stage, and it does so with Kristin Chenoweth front and center, delivering a performance that is impossible to ignore.
The musical is adapted from Lauren Greenfield’s 2012 documentary of the same name, and it traces the Siegels’ ambitious project in Orlando, Florida, as the 2008 financial crisis threatens to unravel their lavish lifestyle. The book by Lindsey Ferrentino and the music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz attempt to capture the chaos, extravagance, and human flaws behind this enormous undertaking. On stage, Jackie’s larger-than-life personality is magnified, and Chenoweth’s energy and vocal brilliance are on full display, bringing her comic timing, soaring soprano, and warm midrange tones to every scene. F. Murray Abraham plays David Siegel, providing a grounded counterpoint to Chenoweth’s unrelenting stage presence.
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Musically, the production is a mixed bag. Songs like Victoria’s “Pretty Wins” and “The Book of Random” are quirky and emotionally resonant, yet Jackie’s big numbers—such as “Caviar Dreams” and “This Time Next Year”—sometimes feel conventional and fail to fully capture the wit or bite of the story. Still, Chenoweth works tirelessly, selling every note and scene with charisma and commitment. Supporting performances, including Melody Butiu as the nanny Sofia and Nina White as daughter Victoria, are solid, adding depth to the family ensemble.
Audience reactions have been varied. Fans of Chenoweth and Schwartz’s previous collaborations, particularly “Wicked,” will find plenty to enjoy, while others might be left wishing for a clearer throughline or sharper critique of wealth and privilege. Overall, “The Queen of Versailles” is an ambitious, visually dazzling, and vocally thrilling experience, anchored by a performance that reminds everyone why Kristin Chenoweth is a Broadway treasure. It’s a show where you leave entertained, if slightly bewildered, by the scale of both the production and the life it portrays.
Running approximately two and a half hours, including intermission, “The Queen of Versailles” is at the St. James Theatre and is recommended for audiences interested in a blend of spectacle, music, and the quirks of extreme wealth brought vividly to life on Broadway.
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