'Wicked' Combo Couldn't Save It... Kristin Chenoweth's 'The Queen of Versailles' Closes Rapidly After 2 Months

The musical 'The Queen of Versailles', which generated excitement with the meeting of Broadway superstar Kristin Chenoweth and master Stephen Schwartz, will exit quietly amid box office failure.

The production team officially announced on November 24 (local time) that "'The Queen of Versailles' currently performing at the St. James Theatre will have its final performance earlier than scheduled on January 4, 2026." This is a rapid closure just two months after its official opening on November 9.

◆ Failure to Reproduce the Glory of 'Wicked'... Mixed Reviews Held It Back

This work is based on the 2012 documentary of the same name, dealing with the vanity and tragedy of the couple 'Jackie Siegel' who attempted to build the largest mansion in the U.S. during the 2008 financial crisis.

In particular, the reunion of Kristin Chenoweth, the original 'Glinda' of the musical 'Wicked', and composer Stephen Schwartz, along with Tony Award-winning director Michael Arden and Academy Award-winning actor F. Murray Abraham, made it one of the most anticipated productions on Broadway this fall. The shock is even greater as it received positive reviews during its Boston tryout in 2024.

What held it back were the mixed reactions from critics and audiences. The New York Times praised it as "a clever and sparkling work," but many media outlets were lukewarm. The Washington Post pointed out that it was "excessive yet lacking," while Variety criticized that "as it entered the second act, the nearly 3-hour running time began to feel tedious."

◆ Broadway's Winter, a Graveyard for New Works

This early closure exemplifies the recent trend on Broadway where even productions featuring stars with a solid fan base struggle to survive if the quality of the work is not guaranteed.

The production team did not disclose specific reasons for the closure, but it seems that poor ticket sales due to mixed reviews were decisive. Although Chenoweth did not issue an official statement, she expressed her unwavering dedication to the stage alongside her colleagues in interviews, conveying her intention to give her best until the end.