THE QUEEN OF VERSAILLES Previews — Page 5
#102
Posted: 10/9/25 at 11:40am
Adding to my insane review (apologies), I would like to add that they made some changes, but none were meaningful changes to make the show better than the Boston production. I think this will run through the holidays, but Kristin doesn't have a line of fans that go on forever, so unless they turn this whole thing around by 5pm yesterday...this thing is DOA. I was tempted to grab fries from the Blond Maga Billionaire (for obvious reasons per my review), but it felt so scummy that I declined. She was all over the theater last night which didn't help anything, she is not relatable, so I hope the production tells her to stay in Jersey tonight.
This isn't the time for this show, this isn't the message of the moment, this just isn't it. And I agree with Mitch, this isn't "so bad it's good" in any world.
#103
Posted: 10/9/25 at 11:49am
Something about the staging and sound of the number in Act 2 where she is living through the premiere of the documentary was giving major Diana The Musical vibes. I can’t put my finger on it lol.
Just me? 
#104
Posted: 10/9/25 at 11:59am
If QoV went for camp like “Diana” did, it could have a shot at surviving. Love it or hate it, “Diana” will never be forgotten and has a flop/cult fanbase the likes of which we hardly ever see anymore with unsuccessful musicals. This one will not be as lucky.
#105
Posted: 10/9/25 at 12:07pm
Jordan Catalano said: "If QoV went for camp like “Diana” did, it could have a shot at surviving. Love it or hate it, “Diana” will never be forgotten and has a flop/cult fanbase the likes of which we hardly ever see anymore with unsuccessful musicals. This one will not be as lucky."
I think about Diana far more than I think about many objectively better shows and I think about it very fondly.
"...everyone finally shut up, and the audience could enjoy the beginning of the Anatevka Pogram in peace."
#106
Posted: 10/9/25 at 12:12pm
Kad said: "Jordan Catalano said: "If QoV went for camp like “Diana” did, it could have a shot at surviving. Love it or hate it, “Diana” will never be forgotten and has a flop/cult fanbase the likes of which we hardly ever see anymore with unsuccessful musicals. This one will not be as lucky."
I think about Diana far more than I think about many objectively better shows and I think about it very fondly."
SAME. I love that show and listen to that cast recording far more than most other recent shows. I wish someone would take that Netflix proshot and add audience applause and reactions to it to make it a bit more watchable (even though I’ve watched it countless times).
#107
Posted: 10/9/25 at 12:20pm
I wonder what the advance is for this show? 🤔
#108
Posted: 10/9/25 at 12:34pm
I just finished watching the documentary on ROKU (It’s free, BTW). It took me 3 tries, stopping and starting over two days, to finish it because I just couldn’t stomach the self-centered avarice.
Every scene of the doc reminded me of Trump being interviewed in the oval office, with all that gold on the fireplace hearth, and the walls behind him. I just couldn’t stomach the doc in one sitting without taking breaks to recover.
After such a fresh viewing the doc, these are the comments that convince me to stay away from this show:
RippedMan said, “I'd be so curious to hear the creatives perspective on why they wanted to tell this story.”
Kad said, “Really baffled by them putting Siegel front and center like this. She’s not famous, she’s not inspirational, the source material isn’t flattering to her. If this was a condition for moving forward with the project, it was a deal with the devil.“
Jordan Catalano said, “After the show, the real Jackie was outside, passing out small orders of McDonald’s french fries to people, and I think that that kind of just summed up the entire thing. A billionaire passing out something tiny to the masses, to make people like them.”
This is the comment I feel is most on the money (see what I did there?):
Sutton Ross said, “This isn't the time for this show, this isn't the message of the moment, this just isn't it.”
I feel like this is the musical that will go down in history as being the most tone-deaf (oops.. I did it again...)
#109
Posted: 10/9/25 at 12:34pm
Here’s my question as, I hesitate to say a fan, of the source material. Could Sherie make this work or is it beyond help- she seems to be a more appropriate presence for Jackie. i still can’t figure out how the documentary lends itself to becoming a musical. From these reports, it appears the creative team doesn’t either.
#110
Posted: 10/9/25 at 12:36pm
Seeing Fox News in the middle of a Broadway musical is not something I wanted to see either.
@rachelfran - Thanks for the trigger warning!
#111
Posted: 10/9/25 at 12:44pm
Aaron Parnas just posted a video about a new multi-state “Anti Billionaire” billboard campaign that’s being launched. Just seemed relevant here lol
#112
Posted: 10/9/25 at 12:56pm
quizking101 said:
F. Murray Abraham being forced to do a country western number about being the Timeshare King was borderline elder abuse.
This sentence will carry me through the rest of the week.
Just remembering you've had an "and"
When you're back to "or"
Makes the "or" mean more than it did before
#113
Posted: 10/9/25 at 12:59pm
Sounds MESSY. sadly, this creative team (except Stephen) don't have any, from scratch, new musical experience success to date. It's not surprising but this sounds like any changes from the Boston run have not made improvements and the function both dramatically and physically are underprepared, with no hope of fix. We have tickets for Sherie in hopes she can lift it a little after the Boston experience.
How long has this thing been worked on 5+ years with tons of money thrown at it? Longed for 'so bad, it's good' changes at least.
Updated On: 10/9/25 at 12:59 PM
#114
Posted: 10/9/25 at 1:03pm
Jordan Catalano said: "Aaron Parnas just posted a video about a new multi-state “Anti Billionaire” billboard campaign that’s being launched."
It's a good message and video, but it doesn't bring Tristan Harris' very important message re: Humane Technology into the conversation, which IMO makes Parnas' commentary (regardless of how valid it is) very unfortunately irrelevant.
#115
Posted: 10/9/25 at 1:04pm
Phillytheatreguy10 said: "Here’s my question as, I hesitate to say a fan, of the source material. Could Sherie make this work or is it beyond help- she seems to be a more appropriate presence for Jackie. i still can’t figure out how the documentary lends itself to becoming a musical. From these reports, it appears the creative team doesn’t either."
Honestly, I feel like it’s too early to tell. They can definitely cut and bandage some of the show, but I don’t think Sherie would make much of a difference with the material other than have a bit more of a blowsy approach (a filthy rich version of her Audrey, if you will)
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#116
Posted: 10/9/25 at 1:06pm
Phillytheatreguy10 said: "i still can’t figure out how the documentary lends itself to becoming a musical. From these reports, it appears the creative team doesn’t either."
This story could work as a musical if it followed the Gypsy framework. A fable about a delusional, amoral, selfish, real-life woman used as a metaphor about a major shift in American culture.
Just imagine how awful Gypsy would have been if it had been produced by Rose Hovick.
#117
Posted: 10/9/25 at 2:35pm
quizking101 said:
Also, last night was the first time they ran the show completely without stopping"
Sounds like they stopped for 40 minutes last night
#118
Posted: 10/9/25 at 2:36pm
bruceway said: "quizking101 said:
Also, last night was the first time they ran the show completely without stopping"
Sounds like they stopped for 40 minutes last night
That was intermission
#119
Posted: 10/9/25 at 3:40pm
They should do a promo offering all you can drink Diet Coke with your seat
...
#120
Posted: 10/9/25 at 4:14pm
QOV could have been this season’s Grey Gardens (with more bite re: class satire). I think Jackie & her family’s story lends itself to a dramatic & musical adaptation just fine, just not the way this production is doing it.
Note for anyone who cares about context for this musical - there is the original documentary, a follow up film (‘Princess of Versailles’ ), as well as a one-season show on HBO (‘QOV Reigns Again’ ).
I am big. It’s the REVIVALS that got small.
Updated On: 10/9/25 at 04:14 PM
#121
Posted: 10/9/25 at 4:15pm
I saw some people on Reddit giving the whole “it’s just the first preview” spiel and, girl, short of throwing the baby out with the bath water, ain’t nothing going to be fixed in the next month that a demolition crew of critics won’t sniff out.
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#122
Posted: 10/9/25 at 4:22pm
Jackie inherited a ton of money when David died, too. This show could potentially run much longer than any of us anticipate. I wouldn’t consider her to be a brilliant business person.
I am big. It’s the REVIVALS that got small.
#123
Posted: 10/9/25 at 4:28pm
Ugh, this show could last a while if it's a vanity project being used as a backdrop for a reality show, which I believe is the synopsis of season 3 of The Comeback. Maybe HBO is thinking cross promotion?
TBH, the drama and heartbreak of living through a Broadway flop could make for compelling TV.
#124
Posted: 10/9/25 at 4:32pm
carolinaguy said: "quizking101 said:
F. Murray Abraham being forced to do a country western number about being the Timeshare King was borderline elder abuse.
This sentence will carry me through the rest of the week."
Same - it's these most cleverest of writers on here that keep me wading through some of the more unpleasant parts of the forum. And you all deliver :D
#125
Posted: 10/9/25 at 5:18pm
EmceeHammer said: "TBH, the drama and heartbreak of living through a Broadway flop could make for compelling TV."
…Girl. We had SMASH for that.
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www.ebay.com/usr/missvirginiahamm
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