Stephen Schwartz’s new musical impresses on a high level – and yet fails
The historically sounding title of this new musical may evoke the glory that once was Louis XIV, the French Sun King who built the magnificent palace near Paris, or Marie-Antoinette, the unfortunate wife of Louis XVI who lived there for a while, or the Peace Treaty signed on June 28 1919, that brought to an end the nefarious 1914-1918 World War. And even though the first scene, with its elaborate scenic designs by Dane Lafrey and accurate 17th century costumes by Christian Cowan, could reinforce this impression, the fact is Versailles has little to do with the story written by Lindsey Ferrentino, based on a 2012 documentary about a real-life wealthy American couple, Jackie and David Siegel, at the heart of this show.
With a particularly attractive score by Stephen Schwartz, currently enjoying a great deal of popularity with the songs he wrote for the film “Wicked: For Good”, and the presence as Jackie of Kristin Chenoweth, the strikingly beautiful actress with a slyly mischievous personality, best remembered for her starring role in the stage classic “Wicked”, the musical seemed to have everything needed to please audiences.
The plot tracks down the rise of Jackie, born in a poor family, who marries David, a wealthy real estate owner, after she becomes Miss Florida in 1993, and whose own vision of grandeur leads her to convince her husband to build a 90,000 square foot luxurious mansion, one of the largest seen in the United States, designed after the Palace of Versailles. At first, everything seems to be working well, until the Recession of 2008 forces David to face a much-reduced source of income and put a stop to the project. Getting back to it takes time, but when he manages to control his own fortune again once the crisis is over, Jackie can bring her dream to reality. Today, though David died earlier this year, the palace is still under construction.
As a result, the narrative moves back and forth between Florida and the story of Versailles, with a notable nod to its historical background. Surprisingly, while the comparison between the two aspects of the story might seem unorthodox, the way it is presented gives the show an interesting reality that makes it quite convincing, an effect solidified by the songs created for this occasion by Schwartz, and by the presence on stage of its main star, totally in command of the character she impersonates. The production, estimated at $25 million, surpassed other productions thanks to its many positive assets (gorgeous settings, attractive costumes, splendid visual effects) that made it a rare pleasure to watch.
Adding to the appeal of the show was the large cast assembled for the occasion, with F. Murray Abraham, a legend of the stage, as David; Nina White as Victoria, Jackie’s daughter from a previous marriage; Cassondra James as Marie-Antoinette; Melody Butiu as Sofia, the nanny; Tatum Grace Hopkins as Jonquil, Jackie’s niece, among the most relevant characters. But the star remained Kristin Chenoweth, clad in a variety of luxurious costumes by Christian Cowan, who dominated the ensemble under Michael Arden’s astute direction.
In spite of the excellent reviews it received, the show recently announced an early closing, a result of a crisis that currently afflicts Broadway and many of its newer productions. Regretfully, the cost of the production was not matched by the anticipated full-scale attendance of audiences who didn’t seem anxious to pay a high-level price for seats to a musical that meant little, realistic and entertaining as it might have been.
Music Supervision: Mary-Mitchell Campbell • Music Coordination: Kristy Norter • Direction: Michael Arden • Choreography: Lauren Yalango-Grant and Christopher Cree Grant • Scenic and Video Design: Dane Laffrey • Costume Design: Christian Cowan • Lighting Design: Natasha Katz • Sound Design: Peter Hylenski • With: Kristin Chenoweth (Jackie), F. Murray Abraham (David), Melody Butiu (Sofia), David Aron Damane (Ray), Stephen DeRosa (John), Greg Hildreth (Gary), Tatum Grace Hopkins (Jonquil), Isabel Keating (Debbie), Nina White (Victoria) and others
Cover photo: Julieta Cervantes