THE QUEEN OF VERSAILLES To Close January 4, 2026- Page 2

[Kad]

Posted: 11/24/25 at 6:04pm

Call_me_jorge said: "I feel like the stop clause was used here… Bill Damaschke is a deep pocketed producer and would’ve kept it running through, at least, the Tonynominations."

He may be deep pocketed but that’s, like, minimum 20 million dollars to keep a show running until early May, on top of initial investment. It would never have been made back, even if it had run to the Tonys and even won some. 

Updated On: 11/24/25 at 06:04 PM

[EricMontreal22]

Posted: 11/24/25 at 6:04pm

Kad said: "DramaTeach said: "They turned off all comments on their final performance post. Guess people were too gleeful. 😬"

I think the labeling of Chenoweth as MAGA was and is entirely unfair- and decidedly untrue- but the way she handled the situation was so bafflingly tone deaf and unhelpful that it just made the situation worse."

Agreed to both comments.  Admittedly, I think this has been common with how celebrities have dealt with social media "mistakes" (for lack of a better word) in general, but with Chenoweth it just was particularly baffling.

This isn't surprising to anyone.  I just hope we still get that cast album (and on CD preferably :P )

[malcs98]

Posted: 11/24/25 at 6:07pm

Man, I’m pretty worried about THE LOST BOYS now

[CoffeeBreak]

Posted: 11/24/25 at 6:09pm

EDSOSLO858 said: "32 previews and 65regular performances at the St. James Theatre.

Sure, word-of-mouth was largely negative, but it was grossing over $1 million a week at the time of this notice — if that's not at least somewhat safe these days for a musical, then what is?"

The weekly running cost on this show was VASTLY overlooked.  It was 1.3 million a week or more.   

Not surprised as this show was mishandled, over and poorly directed with a crap book and bland music.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 11/24/25 at 6:12pm

I hope Jackie gives a defiant curtain call speech at the final performance about how we need to allow for stories of the wealthy since they tell the tale of the “real” America and how Broadway has failed her. 

[tthomas76]

Posted: 11/24/25 at 6:14pm

WldKingdomHM said: "Do we think this will survive until Jan 4th?
now let’s get Sherri in death becomes her !"

I’m wondering the same thing.  We had tickets to see it December 20th with a group.  Wondering if we need a “plan b”.  Tickets for December don’t look all that great.  

[EricMontreal22]

Posted: 11/24/25 at 6:16pm

Jordan Catalano said: "I hope Jackie gives a defiant curtain call speech at the final performance about how we need to allow for stories of the wealthy since they tell the tale of the “real” America and how Broadway has failed her."

From the little I know of Jackie, only from the documentaries, I get the feeling she'll still chalk this up to a success?

[quizking101]

Posted: 11/24/25 at 6:24pm

DramaTeach said: "They turned off all comments on their final performance post. Guess people were too gleeful. 😬"

Yes, and the cast are seeing them. I’m chatting with one of my friends in the cast and they are actually very disheartened as to how everyone is being so absolutely gleeful about this.

RE: Evita - I still don’t think it’s smart for ALW & co. to bring it in since it’s going to cannibalize CATS across the street, and that took some time to get the capital and find a suitable house, with a reasonably possibility of being a major awards contender. It’s also just as depressing to see that the two giant theatres on 45th are about to sit empty for spring.

If it’s even possible, and I gag a bit in saying this, if something is going into the Winter Garden as been rumored, they should then probably take Mamma Mia over to the Majestic. At minimum, it will be in a high traffic area and it’s already a proven cash cow. 

[DrMonicaDeMoneco]

Posted: 11/24/25 at 6:27pm

WldKingdomHM said: "Do we think this will survive until Jan 4th?
now let’s get Sherri in death becomes her !"

That was my exact thought! Jan 4 is a bit away…

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 11/24/25 at 6:28pm

malcs98 said: "Man, I’m pretty worried about THE LOST BOYS now"

I wouldn't worry, that show won't have a celebrity in it making a huge mistake on social media and pissing off many of her longtime fans.

As I predicted, it will last through the holidays and that's a wrap. What a giant waste of time, money, and talent. This was a terrible time for a musical like this to exist though, and that smart people in the business couldn't see that is...wild.

Updated On: 11/24/25 at 06:28 PM

[Auggie27]

Posted: 11/24/25 at 6:52pm

This should come as a surprise to no one who checks advance sales. The winter on B'way can be brutal for even a modest success. But you have to arrive with word of mouth. And sustain it. There was never a path thru Jan - March for this poorly received piece. And this once again underscores: A Critics Pick in the Times used in every ad cannot buck the general consensus. I cannot get past how anyone presumed the high nut could've been made in the days ahead. But people do believe track records of creatives and stars ensure some success. Insiders who were putting off seeing the show may pile in but even thru January looks iffy. Maybe the absence of new shows will give it a final boost. 

People on FB are all claiming the Kirk debacle caused this. But I say, it had little or no impact past previews. 

Updated On: 11/24/25 at 06:52 PM

[Timon3]

Posted: 11/24/25 at 6:55pm

Are the days over for the big splashy musical on Broadway?

The old sow has got too fat.

[TheatreFan4]

Posted: 11/24/25 at 6:59pm

Sutton Ross said: "
I wouldn't worry, that show won't have a celebrity in it making a huge mistake on social media and pissing off many of her longtime fans."

I'm just going to spit ball here, but her indiscretion had exactly zero input here. 

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 11/24/25 at 7:02pm

JSquared2 said: "BrodyFosse123 said: "WldKingdomHM said: "Do we think this will survive until Jan 4th?
now let’s get Sherri in death becomes her !"

She’s not interested in returning to Broadway in an 8 performances a week schedule, hence why she took this standby gig. Only goes on when needed so weeks (or months) could go by between performances."

Thank god she has you as her spokesperson!

Also she managed 8 perfs a week just fine with LITTLE SHOP. The QOV gig was an easy money no-brainer."

Only going by what she said to me verbatim several months ago when I asked her directly while we were both waiting for our tables at Gallagher’s on W. 52nd Street shortly after she ended her LITTLE SHOP run in February 2025. 

[SmokeyLady]

Posted: 11/24/25 at 7:04pm

It was a bad show. It happens. I hope they don’t try to make it like it was all the Charlie Kirk thing because it wasn’t. It was just a horrid show. Her big mouth didn’t help any either. And she could’ve said so much to correct it a little and she didn’t. So that part of it’s on her.  
I can imagine after the horrendous reviews and the poor audience attendance that they all just hated going to work every day. It had to be very depressing to know your show is crap.

Updated On: 11/24/25 at 07:04 PM

[DCS]

Posted: 11/24/25 at 7:07pm

uncageg said: "EDSOSLO858 said: "32 previews and 65regular performances at the St. James Theatre.

Sure, word-of-mouth was largely negative, but it was grossing over $1 million a week at the time of this notice — if that's not at least somewhat safe these days for a musical, then what is?"



I assume they are looking at advance sales."

Exactly.... they are looking at ticket sales after the holidays and see that it's very bleak. They'll play thru the busy Xmas and New Year's season and bank as much $$$ as possible and then close up to avoid bleeding tons of cash trying to survive a deadly winter. Very smart choice by the producers. Despite the NY Times Critics pick, the rest of the reviews just weren't good enough and neither was word of mouth and the subject matter/concept wasn't appealing.  

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 11/24/25 at 7:08pm

TheatreFan4 said: "Sutton Ross said: "
I wouldn't worry, that show won't have a celebrity in it making a huge mistake on social media and pissing off many of her longtime fans."

I'm just going to spit ball here, but herindiscretion had exactly zero input here."

That's simply not true but it wasn't the main cause. It did not help things, I think we can agree on that.

[Kad]

Posted: 11/24/25 at 7:09pm

BrodyFosse123 said: "
Only going by what she said to me verbatim several months ago when I asked her directly while we were both waiting for our tables at Gallagher’s on W. 52nd Street shortly after she ended her LITTLE SHOP run in February 2025."

And this was before she told the host, “please make sure my table is not near his,” I assume? 

[melfi39]

Posted: 11/24/25 at 7:12pm

I have a ticket for January 23rd. Has anyone ever experienced something like this before? Do I need to call the St. James or will I automatically get a refund? Does anyone else have a ticket bought for a performance after the posted closing date? 

[Bette's Turban]

Posted: 11/24/25 at 7:13pm

SmokeyLady said: "It was a bad show. It happens. I hope they don’t try to make it like it was all the Charlie Kirk thing because it wasn’t. It was just a horridshow. Her big mouth didn’t help any either. And she could’ve said so much to correct it a little and she didn’t. So that part of it’s on her.
I can imagine after the horrendous reviews and the poor audience attendance that they all just hated going to work every day. It had to be very depressing to know your show is crap."

She stuck her foot in her mouth with the Kirk thing.  At least that is what the Tok is saying at the moment.  And while that bothered me; I was hoping to love the show.  I can forgive Christian Chenoweth. Hell.. I forgave Donna Summer.  But this show was just one of the worst things I have seen in a long time.  

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 11/24/25 at 7:13pm

Kad said: "BrodyFosse123 said: "
Only going by what she said to me verbatim several months ago when I asked her directly while we were both waiting for our tables at Gallagher’s on W. 52nd Street shortly after she ended her LITTLE SHOP run in February I2025."

And this was before she told the host, “please make sure my table is not near his,” I assume?"

Pretty accurate. 

[Kad]

Posted: 11/24/25 at 7:19pm

melfi39 said: "I have a ticket for January 23rd. Has anyone ever experienced something like this before? Do I need to call the St. James or will I automatically get a refund? Does anyone else have a ticket bought for a performance after the posted closing date?"

It should be automatically refunded for you, no action needed on your end. It may take some time, though. 

[Azúcar!]

Posted: 11/24/25 at 7:19pm

Bette's Turban said: "SmokeyLady said: "It was a bad show. It happens. I hope they don’t try to make it like it was all the Charlie Kirk thing because it wasn’t. It was just a horridshow. Her big mouth didn’t help any either. And she could’ve said so much to correct it a little and she didn’t. So that part of it’s on her.
I can imagine after the horrendous reviews and the poor audience attendance that they all just hated going to work every day. It had to be very depressing to know your show is crap."

She stuck her foot in her mouth with the Kirk thing. At least that is what the Tok is saying at the moment. And while that bothered me; I was hoping to love the show. I can forgive Christian Chenoweth. Hell.. I forgave Donna Summer. But this show was just one of the worst things I have seen in a long time."

Donna Summer would have been crucified with what she said about the gays in this day and age of social media. 

[TotallyEffed]

Posted: 11/24/25 at 7:30pm

BrodyFosse123 said: "JSquared2 said: "BrodyFosse123 said: "WldKingdomHM said: "Do we think this will survive until Jan 4th?
now let’s get Sherri in death becomes her !"

She’s not interested in returning to Broadway in an 8 performances a week schedule, hence why she took this standby gig. Only goes on when needed so weeks (or months) could go by between performances."

Thank god she has you as her spokesperson!

Also she managed 8 perfs a week just fine with LITTLE SHOP. The QOV gig was an easy money no-brainer."

Only going by what she said to me verbatim several months ago when I asked her directly while we were both waiting for our tables at Gallagher’s on W. 52nd Street shortly after she ended her LITTLE SHOP run in February 2025."

 

Very cool that you ran into a Broadway star while vacationing here from Reno. 😎

[Jarethan]

Posted: 11/24/25 at 7:31pm

Sutton Ross said: "malcs98 said: "Man, I’m pretty worried about THE LOST BOYS now"

I wouldn't worry, that show won't have a celebrity in it making a huge mistake on social media and pissing off many of her longtime fans.

As I predicted, it will last through the holidays and that's a wrap. What a giant waste of time, money, and talent. This was a terrible time for a musical like this to exist though, and that smart people in the business couldn't see that is...wild."

Social media did impact this show, but not in the way you suggest.  IMO what Chenoweth said or meant or didn't say or didn't mean had nothing to do with the show's failure.  Had the show gotten spectacularly good reviews, it would have become a hit.

Social media was nevertheless quite deadly in one way.  The number of people who posted just how horrible this show was definitely mattered.  I have read so many posts on Facebook, for example, from friends who saw the show and told their friends to avoid it at all costs.  Why?  for all the reasons the naysayers on this board repeatedly wrote, i.e., it was an ill-conceived piece of crap.

They did nothing right IMO.  Even the logo that pictured a totally plastic looking KC was unappetizing.  She didn't look real.  If that was intentional, it was a big mistake.  If it was unintentional, did no one ever look at that and say that it / she looked horrible?

I can't even remember the last time I have hated a show so much that was never less than professionally done.  (You had to see musicals as bad as Dr. Jazz or Jimmy or Copperfield or Elmer Gantry or In My Life or Chu Chem or Onward Victoria to appreciate that comment...there was nothing professional about them).  But I really hated this, ultimately because you can't make a huge, expensive Broadway musical about a detestable person; but, if you are going to try, you had better have a great book and a great score and a great cast, etc.