THE QUEEN OF VERSAILLES with Kristin Chenowith & F. Murray Abraham to open at St. James in November- Page 4

[Kad]

Posted: 8/7/25 at 2:53pm

There’s certainly no shortage of musicals about despicable people- liars, con artists, murderers, the venal and greedy. The question is why the story is being told and what the artists have to say about the subject. I hope Schwartz, Ferrentino, Arden, and Chenoweth can answer that effectively- the current climate suggests it won’t be easy. 

[Crusty Bagel]

Posted: 8/7/25 at 2:57pm

You can just go to the tkts booth and get the premium seats for half off.  That’s what everybody else does these days. I’d recommend the booth on 62nd street instead of the Times Square booth. 

[TheatreFan4]

Posted: 8/7/25 at 3:08pm

Crusty Bagel said: "Kristin chose Versailles over Death becomes her"

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 8/7/25 at 3:23pm

Anastasia_Beaverhausen said: "I get that, but the same seats are unavailable for every on-sale performance...even after it opens. So to me, it looks like they are greedy producers trying to get us to buy the crap seats that are there."

Yeah, it's very annoying and with no discounts, it's not selling well at all. The entire appeal is Kristin and that's not enough to make money long term. We saw what happened with Redwood.....

 

[gibsons2]

Posted: 8/7/25 at 3:30pm

Sutton Ross said: "Anastasia_Beaverhausen said: "I get that, but the same seats are unavailable for every on-sale performance...even after it opens. So to me, it looks like they are greedy producers trying to get us to buy the crap seats that are there."

Yeah, it's very annoying and with no discounts, it's not selling well at all. The entire appeal is Kristin and that's not enough to make money long term. We saw what happened with Redwood.....

"

I think it'll bomb even harder. Chenoweth is far less known (and popular) than Idina. Redwood at least had an intriguing premise and unique stage sets. Queen of Versailles looks like a tacky, dated early 2000s show on tour. Tammy Faye-ish vibe will not be a selling point for this either. 

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 8/7/25 at 4:16pm

gibsons2 said: "Chenoweth is far less known (and popular) than Idina."

I don't think there is any data that informs that opinion. They're pretty damn similar, IMO. Both have Tonys, both have approx 1.5 million Insta followers, both regularly do concert engagements, they had identical screentime in WICKED, and both have been away from Broadway book musicals for about 10 years. The main difference is one of them had a hit Disney film but one has had a more robust TV acting career. Idina's fans might skew a little younger than Kristin's because of the Rent and Frozen of it all (which if true could benefit QOV).

QOV is more expensive than Redwood and it has a bigger theatre, but it also has a director and composer with a better track record. I wouldn't be surprised if it runs longer than Redwood but ultimately loses more money.

Updated On: 8/7/25 at 04:16 PM

[TotallyEffed]

Posted: 8/7/25 at 11:48pm

gibsons2 said: ". Chenoweth is far less known (and popular) than Idina.“

 

Fighting words!

[Crusty Bagel]

Posted: 8/7/25 at 11:53pm

I don’t like all the hate Kristin got after singing the national anthem. She sounded amazing, the crowd loved it,  it’s those stupid, untalented lowlifes online who had a problem 

[rosscoe(au)]

Posted: 8/8/25 at 1:21am

Does this have any buzz at all! 

[inception]

Posted: 8/8/25 at 2:32am

We are barely into August.  Most people have more on their minds right now than what is on Broadway in the Fall.

I'm sure once we get to mid-September they will ramp up advertising & Ms Chenoweth will be all over doing interviews etc everywhere.

[GiantsInTheSky2]

Posted: 8/8/25 at 8:03am

The issue I have with this show…is that there’s a lot of potential if you’re punching up and absolutely skewering Jackie and David (RIP). It doesn’t really work when you’re trying to make Jackie a victim of circumstance as opposed to her own choices. When the real Jackie was being consulted during workshops is when I felt they were going down the wrong road. The documentaries evoke a real sort of Grey Gardens level of dysfunction, and you can tell the musical wants to be the Grey Gardens type, but it doesn’t hit in the same way. 

I think it would have been a solid show on the boards pre-pandemic. As it stands after the Boston run…unless there’s been extensive work put in (which is not the case from what I’ve heard) it might last a couple months longer than Redwood, but not by much. I adore Megan Hilty and her DBH casting, but Kristin really should have stuck with that property instead. 

[Kad]

Posted: 8/8/25 at 9:10am

Let’s not overstate Chenoweth’s involvement with DBH and present it as Chenoweth choosing this musical over that one. Chenoweth was announced as attached to DBH way back in 2017, before any of the show’s ultimate creatives were even attached- the current writers weren’t even hired till 2020  (it was also during an era of her career in which she would semi-regularly announce her attachment to various projects that were not at all ready to be public knowledge). 

[macbeth]

Posted: 8/8/25 at 10:10am

Chenoweth was the queen of readings and workshops for a while and seems to have been attached to a bunch of shows that either happened with others or haven't (Soapdish? Best Little Whorehouse?). 

I don't think her star power is enough to fill that big of a house in what I think is going to be a tough sell based on how it did in Boston, but I'd love to be proven wrong. 

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 8/8/25 at 12:33pm

gibsons2 said: I think it'll bomb even harder. Chenoweth is far less known (and popular) than Idina. Redwood at least had an intriguing premise and unique stage sets. Queen of Versailles looks like a tacky, dated early 2000s show on tour. Tammy Faye-ish vibe will not be a selling point for this either."

Yeah, they need everything to be perfect since people are becoming more frugal and selective. Perhaps they’re over estimating her audience long term?

[Crusty Bagel]

Posted: 8/8/25 at 12:35pm

Sutton, how’re you getting down to DC?  Can I catch a ride?

[Jarethan]

Posted: 8/9/25 at 6:28pm

Interesting that they are not selling the second balcony.  I guess they can always begin sell those seats if -- however unlikely -- the show ends up being a hit.  It is really terrible, but -- unless they have completely revised the premise of this show -- I want it to be a flop.  I found the lead characters so intensely dislikeable / Trumpian when I saw it in Boston that I wanted to leave.  I was with four other people coming in one car, so I stayed.  But I really despised it.  

[Crusty Bagel]

Posted: 8/9/25 at 6:35pm

It looks like they’re handing out bags with Kristin’s face on it, and it says “on your knees…for your queen!”  And the title is on there. Tacky tacky tacky, oh I don’t like the road this is going down at all. It reminds me of those Norma Desmond $hits last year.  I would post a pic if I knew how 

Updated On: 8/9/25 at 06:35 PM

[Mskuphantm]

Posted: 8/9/25 at 7:21pm

regardless of the subject matter,  Kristin does bring a nuance to the character that brings it for me in the same vein of Gypsy,  Sweeney Todd..characters that you shouldnt cheer for but see their point of view.  Her songs alone are to me worth the time and the price.  on top of that F. Murray Abraham to not only see him on stage but to have him sing as well it is a joy.  is this show going to be for everyone? probably not, do you have to be familiar with the documentary or the even the people, not at all.    And truly if this show doesnt get its feet, Ms Chenoweth truly can be a wonderful replacement in DBH, and may I add Idina as Helen if that happens.  

Updated On: 8/9/25 at 07:21 PM

[inception]

Posted: 8/10/25 at 2:06am

Neither Ms Chenoweth nor Ms Menzel will replace in DBH.

Stop snorting that pink cocaine. 

[Mskuphantm]

Posted: 8/10/25 at 10:12am

inception said: "Neither Ms Chenoweth nor Ms Menzel will replace in DBH.

Stop snorting that pink cocaine."

so you know the future , awesome thank so much for clearing that up.   what a debbie downer.  

[SteveSanders]

Posted: 8/10/25 at 11:32am

Mskuphantm said: "inception said: "Neither Ms Chenoweth nor Ms Menzel will replace in DBH.

Stop snorting that pink cocaine."

so you know the future , awesome thank so much for clearing that up. what a debbie downer."

I don't think one needs to be a futurist or a debbie downer to imagine how unlikely it is that Menzel or Chenowith would opt to be replacements in DBH.  Stranger things have happen in casting, but not many.

 

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 8/10/25 at 11:40am

Mskuphantm said: "inception said: "Neither Ms Chenoweth nor Ms Menzel will replace in DBH.

Stop snorting that pink cocaine."

so you know the future , awesome thank so much for clearing that up. what a debbie downer."

It’s hilarious how no one seems to factor in the strenuous physical aspects of this show along with the demanding vocal work required. Both Hilty and Simard have realized this and it has heavily affected their performance attendance which is finally being fixed with numerous alternates handling each role now. Heck, even Laura Benanti has stated DBH is a musical she’ll never do and admitted it’s a tough score to sing. 

Both Chenoweth and Menzel are wise to decline if ever offered. 

[Jarethan]

Posted: 8/10/25 at 11:59am

Mskuphantm said: "regardless of the subject matter, Kristin does bring a nuance to the character that brings it for me in the same vein of Gypsy, Sweeney Todd..characters that you shouldnt cheer for but see their point of view. Her songs alone are to me worth the time and the price. on top of that F. Murray Abraham to not only see him on stage but to have him sing as well it is a joy. is this show going tobe for everyone? probably not, do you have to be familiar with the documentary or the even the people, not at all. And truly if this show doesnt get its feet, Ms Chenoweth truly can be a wonderful replacement in DBH, and may I add Idina as Helen if that happens."

DBH is not good enough for them to think about being replacements.  This is not Hello Dolly, with Ginger Rogers replacing Carol Channing.

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 8/10/25 at 12:26pm

inception said: "Neither Ms Chenoweth nor Ms Menzel will replace in DBH.

Correct. They create original roles and will never be replacements. That is very evident in their careers.

 

[Crusty Bagel]

Posted: 8/10/25 at 12:41pm

She did not originate roles in the Apple tree, promises promises, or on the 20th century.  This is her first time since Wicked that Kristin is originating a role on stage.