West End and Broadway impresario Sonia Friedman has joined the production team of forthcoming new Broadway musical The Queen of Versailles starring Kristin Chenoweth, as producer and general partner for the show.

From Wicked composer Stephen Schwarz, new musical The Queen of Versailles enjoyed a record-breaking out-of-town run at Boston’s Emerson Colonial Theatre last summer 2024, and is set to open on Broadway during the 2025 to 2026 season.

Exact dates and Broadway theatre are to be announced.

The Queen of Versailles is based on Lauren Greenfield’s multi-award-winning 2012 documentary film, featuring the life stories of Jackie and David Siegel.

The show will star Tony and Emmy Award-winner Kristin Chenoweth (Wicked), with further casting to be announced.

Music and lyrics are by Oscar-winner Stephen Schwartz (Wicked, Pippin), with a book by Lindsey Ferrentino, and direction by Tony Award winner Michael Arden.

The show’s creative team also includes music direction by Mary-Mitchell Campbell, and choreography by Lauren Yalango-Grant and Christopher Cree Grant.

The Queen of Versailles explores 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, they invite us to behold their most grandiose venture yet: they’re building the largest private home in America in Orlando, Florida – a $100 million house 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.

Current Sonia Friedman shows on Broadway include soon-to-open Stranger Things: The First Shadow, transferring from London, and Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. She recently produced Jez Butterworth’s new drama The Hills of California.

Friedman’s current West End productions include Mean Girls, The Book of Mormon, Stranger Things: The First Shadow, and Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, and forthcoming West End shows The Years at the Harold Pinter Theatre, Stereophonic – transferring from Broadway to the Duke of York’s Theatre, Manhunt at the Royal Court Theatre, and Mrs Warren’s Profession starring Imelda Staunton at the Garrick Theatre.

Sonia Friedman said in a press statement that: “I am thrilled to be joining Bill Damaschke, Greg Nobile, and Kristin Chenoweth on the producing team of The Queen of Versailles. I completely adore this original new musical. The Siegels’ story speaks to something fundamental about our world—about wealth and want, of course, but also about family, fragility, and, crucially, the need to love and to be loved. It’s a cautionary tale, a warning against hubris, but it’s also deeply and irresistibly human. That’s what struck me when I first saw it in Boston; it’s not only a musical that’s glorious, hilarious, and full of great songs and performances, but one with so much heart, depth, and humanity. Kristin Chenoweth is utterly captivating as Jackie Siegel, brilliantly blending humor and vulnerability with her extraordinary vocals and comedic skills in a performance for the ages. It’s an honour to join Stephen Schwartz, Lindsey Ferrentino, Michael Arden, and the entire team and play a part in the next stage of this musical’s story.”

Given Sonia Friedman’s track record of transferring shows between London and New York, we hope that this is a good sign for The Queen of Versailles to eventually transfer to the West End.

More about The Queen of Versailles

Sign-up for booking alerts, offers & news about The Queen of Versailles and other shows:
Main photo: The Queen of Versailles - Sonia Friedman to join producers. L-R Greg Nobile, Bill Damaschke, Kristin Chenoweth, and Sonia Friedman. Photo by Natalie Powers

Related News

See all

Latest News

See all