Kristin Chenoweth breaks silence on ‘The Queen of Versailles’ early closing on Broadway

Early closing of the musical

“The Queen of Versailles,” the new Broadway musical starring Kristin Chenoweth, is ending its run at the St. James Theatre much earlier than originally planned. The show entered only its third week of performances when producers announced that the final performance will take place on January 4, after fewer than three months on Broadway.

Kristin Chenoweth’s reaction

Kristin Chenoweth addressed the cancellation in a heartfelt Instagram video, sharing her feelings about the show’s abrupt end. She said she is “so proud of this new art” the team created and noted that bringing original work to Broadway “is getting harder and harder to do.” Chenoweth also reflected on the many recent productions that have “come and gone,” expressing empathy for all artists whose shows struggle to find an audience in the current climate.

Show background and expectations

The musical is based on the documentary “The Queen of Versailles,” which follows Jackie and David Siegel, a wealthy Florida couple building a massive mansion during the 2008 financial crisis. The Broadway production reunited Chenoweth with composer Stephen Schwartz, her collaborator on “Wicked,” and there had initially been expectations for a longer run with dates tentatively listed through late March.

Reasons behind the early closure

Despite star power and some praise, the musical received mixed to negative critical notices, with several reviewers criticizing its tone and structure while a few outlets highlighted its catchy score and Chenoweth’s performance. The show’s grosses passed $1 million in the two weeks before the closing announcement, but weak advance ticket sales and high production costs made sustaining the run difficult in a challenging Broadway market for new shows.

Chenoweth’s message to fans and collaborators

In her remarks, Chenoweth thanked audience members who supported the musical and encouraged theatergoers to keep turning out for new work, not just long‑running hits. She emphasized her pride in the cast, creative team, and crew, stressing that the experience of building the production still matters even when a show closes sooner than hoped.

“I’m so proud of this new art that we’ve created, and it’s getting harder and harder to do,” Kristin Chenoweth said of “The Queen of Versailles” closing early.

Author’s summary

Chenoweth’s bittersweet response to the early closing of “The Queen of Versailles” highlights both her pride in the work and the fragile economics facing ambitious new Broadway musicals today.

The News International — 2025-11-27