The Queen of Versailles – Asks the Question ‘How Much is Too Much’

Dec 13, 2025 by Two Sues On the Aisle

By Two Sues on the Aisle, Susie Rosenbluth and Sue Weston

The Queen of Versailles, a semi-biographic musical that draws parallels to the French Revolution and the lives of billionaires Jackie and David Siegel. The show is based on the 2012 documentary of the same name, with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, with book by Lindsey Ferrentino, and directed by Michael Arden.

This Broadway spectacular stars seasoned performers Kristin Chenoweth as Jackie and F. Murray Abraham as David, the timeshare king. It chronicles Jackie’s rise from rags to riches, her single-minded obsession to succeed, and to get ‘her champagne and caviar dream’. She does, but at a cost.

Photographs Julieta Cervantes

Overly Ambitious

The Queen of Versailles shows parallels between the French rulers who built Versailles and the American couple, self-crowned American royalty, who built a loose replica of the palace in Orlando, which will be the largest single-family home in America. We were mesmerized by the opening scene, set in France circa 1661, watching the young King Louis XIV (Pablo David Lauccerica – whose voice was outstanding) stepping from chair to chair, planning the construction of Versailles, because he could, a subtle inference of the power that comes with money.

The transitions between the two Versailles were confusing at times, especially since the underlying perspective is 2007, as a film crew interviews the family documenting the construction of the house.

The show, like their ambition, was over the top, running about 2 hours and 30 minutes.

Photographs Julieta Cervantes

Their Story

Ambition was a common thread behind David and Jackie’s relationship; both were attracted to money and power – driven to want more. Jackie believed ‘it’s always essential to supersize things’. David is Jewish, born in Chicago. His family moved to Miami. In 1982, he founded Westgate Resorts, which became the largest privately held timeshare company in the world.

Jackie Mallery grew up in a middle-class family. She dreamed of having a better life and worked multiple jobs to pay for college. After earning an engineering degree, she planned to move to San Francisco, but the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake redirected her to New York City, where she married and then moved to Florida. She won the Mrs. Florida Pageant, and after getting divorced, met and married David (who was 30 years her senior). The couple began construction of their own Versailles in 2004.

Photographs Julieta Cervantes

Unanticipated Twists

Life does not always turn out as planned. The Great Recession of 2008 hit Westgate Resorts, stopping construction and forcing a liquidation of assets. Neither David nor Jackie dealt with disappointment well; he became grumpy, while she just worked harder. In 2013, when their financial circumstances improved, construction of Versailles resumed.

Disaster struck again in 2015 when Victoria, Jackie’s daughter from her first marriage (Nina White), died of a drug overdose. Instead of focusing on family, David and Jackie continued construction, preserving Victoria’s room and establishing the Victoria’s Voice Foundation to raise awareness around opioid use.

The real Jackie Siegel attended several performances. She was grateful that her story was being told, seeing it as a way to bring awareness and help others fight addictions.

Incredible Performance

Kristin Chenoweth was amazing, her voice crisp and captivating. We felt that it was worth seeing the show just to hear her incredible voice. Some of our favorite songs were “Caviar Dreams,” “Each and Every Day,” and “This Time Next Year.” The lyrics encapsulate her single-minded determination to have it all.

A consummate professional, Chenoweth, had just returned to the stage after injuring her knees and neck, and other than wearing flats, you would never have suspected her injury. She is a great performer, as is the leading man, F. Murray Abraham, who at age 86 is a theater legend.

We felt the entire cast of 24 was extremely talented, including the dogs (Adam and Marie Antoinette). The chemistry between the two daughters was electric. Their relationship appeared so sisterly, comfortable. Nina White, as Victoria, and Tatum Grace Hopkins, as Jonquil, had amazing voices.

Although the story was a bit disconnected and confusing, the overall experience was enjoyable.

Photographs Julieta Cervantes

Classic Broadway Musical

The Queen of Versailles is a Broadway musical, in the classic style, with pageantry, elaborate costumes, and an amazing set. A story of excess, playing out on a stage, which depicted the lifestyle of the rich and famous, across centuries, showing the extreme gap between the haves and the have-nots. We left, weighing the value of material possessions and wealth, as compared with family, comfort, and a connection.

The Queen of Versailles shows what can happen when having everything is not enough.