Kristin Chenoweth‘s ‘The Queen of Versailles’ to Close on Broadway after Less Than Two Months
NEW YORK – Kristin Chenoweth’s new Broadway musical, “The Queen of Versailles,” will conclude its run at the St. James Theater on January 4, less than two weeks after its official opening on November 9. The swift closure underscores the challenges facing new musicals on Broadway, as productions struggle to resonate with audiences and maintain financial viability.
Based on Lauren Greenfield’s 2012 documentary, “The Queen of Versailles” follows a Florida couple’s attempt to build a massive estate during the 2008 economic crisis.Despite a high-profile cast including Chenoweth and F. Murray Abraham, and a reunion with composer Stephen Schwartz (“Wicked”), the show received mixed to negative reviews and failed to attract a enduring audience. The production initially premiered at the Emerson Colonial Theatre in Boston in 2024 before transferring to Broadway.
The musical, directed by Tony Award winner michael Arden, marked a long-awaited role for Chenoweth, who previously stated, “For years, people have asked me, ‘What’s your dream role?’…And I’ve always responded, ‘It hasn’t been written yet.’ Well, it has now.” However,Variety’s review noted the nearly three-hour performance “began to drag” in the second act.
The closing of “The queen of Versailles” continues a recent trend of new Broadway musicals facing premature ends, highlighting the competitive landscape and financial risks inherent in the industry.
