THE QUEEN OF VERSAILLES Reviews

[CoffeeBreak]

Posted: 11/9/25 at 1:47am

Based on the 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. With a book by Lindsey Ferrentino (Ugly Lies the Bone, Amy and the Orphans) and direction by Tony Award winner Michael Arden (Maybe Happy Ending, Parade), The Queen of Versailles is a new musical exploring the true cost of fame, fortune, and family.

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.

Opens Sunday November 9, 2025

Updated On: 11/9/25 at 01:47 AM

[shomeika]

Posted: 11/9/25 at 4:27am

This will be interesting, as might Chess be next week. #eeeek

[Ensemble1711444445]

Posted: 11/9/25 at 8:06am

Think they embargoed these until Monday so they can enjoy their party.  

[THDavis]

Posted: 11/9/25 at 9:00am

Ensemble1711444445 said: "Think they embargoed these until Monday so they can enjoy their party. "

I know this seems to be the norm nowadays, but how delightfully appropriate it seems given the context of this show. Hopefully there’s lots of lobster and dancers in champagne glasses while they pray their caviar dreams come true. 

[Kad]

Posted: 11/9/25 at 10:26am

Yeah, tonight is the "gala" opening with a party at the Plaza. Let them eat cake! 

[GottaGetAGimmick420]

Posted: 11/9/25 at 10:52am

Chris Jones (Chicago Tribune) is on Facebook saying they should come out today

[pablitonizer]

Posted: 11/9/25 at 11:21am

I feel like this has been in previews for ages lol

What can we expect? mixed to negative reviews?

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 11/9/25 at 11:54am

Look, we might all be wrong on here and the critics will all think it's a 10/10. But.....

[TheatreMonkey]

Posted: 11/9/25 at 11:58am

Heh, at least Jesse Green can't give it one of his befuddling "Critic's Pick" reviews...

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 11/9/25 at 12:01pm

Haha, I feel like Jesse would just flip a coin in his office when he made those incredibly odd recommendations.

[CoffeeBreak]

Posted: 11/9/25 at 2:07pm

In the past Adam Feldman has posted embargo lifts too.

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 11/9/25 at 2:13pm

For what it’s worth, I had also heard reviews for this were coming out tomorrow. 

[malcs98]

Posted: 11/9/25 at 2:15pm

EDSOSLO858 said: "For what it’s worth, I had also heard reviews for this were coming out tomorrow."

If it gets scathing reviews, I’m gonna be pretty worried about The Lost Boys afterwards…

[Auggie27]

Posted: 11/9/25 at 2:53pm

Are embargoed reviews negotiated by publicists and media companies? I’ve never understood the flexibility beyond demanding the wait til the curtain falls. What performance this week was the first one to be included in the window for critics? Wednesday matinee? Or more like Thursday evening. The matinee began 20 minutes late.

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 11/9/25 at 3:12pm

Auggie27 said: "Are embargoed reviews negotiated by publicists and media companies? I’ve never understood the flexibility beyond demanding the wait til the curtain falls."

An embargo is standard practice, implemented by the press agent and the producer. It's not a negotiation: critics are informed of the embargo and they are expected to abide by it. Every show has a different strategy, but the old thinking used to be "wait until after intermission." Now, people involved often have a more enjoyable evening if the embargo is late-night after the cast has arrived at the party.

Whether the embargo is 11:30pm today or 8am tomorrow won't make much difference, since the vast majority of consumers aren't sitting around waiting for reviews.

[rosscoe(au)]

Posted: 11/9/25 at 3:13pm

malcs98 said: "EDSOSLO858 said: "For what it’s worth, I had also heard reviews for this were coming out tomorrow."

If it gets scathing reviews, I’m gonna be pretty worried about The Lost Boys afterwards…"


Why. Two very different shows, going after two very different audiences. 

[CoffeeBreak]

Posted: 11/9/25 at 5:15pm

to get funded.   they are still quite short.

[blaxx]

Posted: 11/9/25 at 5:49pm

CoffeeBreak said: "to get funded. they are still quite short."

If The Lost Boys depends on the success of any other show to get funding, they were screwed to begin with.

[CoffeeBreak]

Posted: 11/9/25 at 6:22pm

Exactly.  They are.  Add the inevitable fall of Versailles.  The funding is less likely to come in.  LB has one of the highest funding goals of any this season (if not the highest)

Updated On: 11/9/25 at 06:22 PM

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 11/9/25 at 6:43pm

Pretty much every commercial production that has yet to officially open this fall, both on and off-Broadway, isn’t fully funded at this point. 

(Some are closer than others.)

Updated On: 11/9/25 at 06:43 PM

[Cheesecake2]

Posted: 11/9/25 at 7:02pm

Kristin looks gorgeous!!

[Auggie27]

Posted: 11/9/25 at 7:46pm

Mutable embargo determinations have been harder to ascertain in recent years, to my eyes, since many of us are accustomed to reading most reviews before bed on opening nights. As many note, this show's reviews are what they are whenever they land.

Some have debated this show in many forums (discussions on FB extensive) and are particularly intrigued that the opening is in the worst possible socioeconomic climate for a tale of solipsistic obsession with conspicuous consumption. It's hard to fathom the content analyzed outside of a SNAP-denied context, but who knows? I moved to NYC the fall that Evita opened, and I recall reviews that condemned its elevation of the Perons as a promotion of fascism. But Jimmy Carter's 1979 was very different America than  this regime's 2025. To my thinking, it's impossible to judge this musical in strictly apolitical terms, since it's recurring musical motif is "Amer-i-can royal-tee!" sung ad nauseum, in a bombastic piece of messaging, ironic intent in the eye of the beholder or not.

Updated On: 11/9/25 at 07:46 PM

[blaxx]

Posted: 11/9/25 at 9:33pm

Auggie27 said: "Mutable embargodeterminationshave been harder to ascertain in recent years, to my eyes, since many of us are accustomed to reading most reviews before bed on opening nights. As many note,this show's reviews are what they are whenever they land.

Somehave debated this show in many forums (discussions on FB extensive) and are particularly intrigued that the opening is in the worst possible socioeconomic climate for a tale of solipsistic obsession withconspicuous consumption. It's hard to fathom thecontent analyzed outside of a SNAP-denied context, but who knows? I moved to NYC the fall that Evita opened, and I recall reviews that condemnedits elevation of the Perons as a promotion of fascism. But Jimmy Carter's 1979 was very different America than this regime's 2025. To my thinking, it's impossible to judge this musical in strictly apolitical terms, since it's recurring musical motif is "Amer-i-can royal-tee!" sung ad nauseum, in a bombastic piece of messaging, ironic intent in the eye of the beholder or not."

I'm sure they were conscious of the decision they were making about how it would be received. It may seem tone-deaf, but it surely not the investors and producers being gullible.

I think even something like Grey Gardens would create a negative, polarizing effect if presented nowadays, great performances and all.

[corninthesky]

Posted: 11/9/25 at 9:47pm

Somewhat unrelated, but does Stephen Schwartz not usually attend opening nights of his musicals? 

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 11/9/25 at 10:24pm

Midnight review embargo lift.

Updated On: 11/9/25 at 10:24 PM