Paulanne Simmons
The
Queen of Versailles Directed by Michael Arden
According to folklore, Sarah Winchester constantly added to her house, Llanada Villa, a mansion home in San Jose, to confuse vengeful spirits. Visitors are puzzled by stairways leading to nowhere and doors that open onto walls. However, some believe Winchester was not so much fearful of spirits as intent on building an architectural masterpiece. Either way, the modern-day incarnation of a woman who couldn’t stop building is Jackie Siegel. She was once the subject of an award-winning documentary by Lauren Greenfield. And now her life is being reviewed once again in "The Queen of Versailles," a musical with a book by Lindsey Ferrentino and score by Stephen Schwartz. . Kristin Chnoweth again takes on a major role for Schwartz as Jackie Siegel, the indefatigable, indomitable and delusional woman whose second husband, David Siegel (the underused F. Murray Abraham) is happy to make her dreams come true. In this case, building a palace along the lines of Versailles in Florida. Under Michael Arden’s direction, the scenes switch elegantly several times between the opulence of the real Versailles and the cheap glitz of its imitation (the excellent scenic and video design is by Dane Lafferys and the true to the times costumes are by Christian Cowan). But the point of the musical is clear. There’s not much difference in the rich putting on a show while the poor suffer, no matter if Louis IV is on the throne or Trump is in the White House. Of course such obsessions always leave bodies by the wayside. In this family it’s Jackie’s daughter Victoria (Nina White), whose anxiety and suffering go pretty much unnoticed by her preoccupied mother. For this and other reasons, it’s easy to dislike Jackie, but Chenoweth’s inherent charm takes care of that. In her hands the woman devoted so blatantly to crass consumerism becomes vulnerable in her denial of reality at the same time she is formidable in her ability to get things done. Schwartz’s score is upbeat, funny and moving in turn. It certainly fits the glitter and insanity of Jackie’s life. And the cast is a veritable ensemble of powerhouse voices that does the songs justice. The first act, which covers much of the backstory, drags at times. However, the second act has enough energy for two acts. People who have seen the documentary are sure to make comparisons in which the musical comes out the loser. But if you haven’t seen the documentary, much of The Queen of Versailles is a lot of fun. |
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