What shows did Kristin Chenoweth turn down to do Queen of Versailles?

[Soaring29]

Posted: 8/25/24 at 9:43pm

''I decided at that moment that I was doing this piece. I turned down two other big Broadway shows because I think this show has something to say.'' https://www.vogue.com/article/kristin-chenoweth-queen-of-versailles-boston-first-look-interview 

I'm so excited to hear the full score of Queen of Versailles but I'm curious- what shows did Chenoweth turn down to do it?

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 8/25/24 at 9:57pm

IIRC, weren’t they Death Becomes Her and Thelma & Louise?

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 8/25/24 at 10:12pm

She's been loosely attached to so many shows in development over the past decade.

• a different Tammy Faye musical (with a score by Henry Krieger)
• Soapdish (Rob Ashford, Stiles & Drewe)
• Death Becomes Her (announced as being a vehicle for her without a writing team, so I don't know how far they got while she was involved)
• Revivals of Call Me Madam (Encores) and Best Little Whorehouse
• she was probably courted for some other revivals and things that were never actually announced. 

[Theatrefanboy1]

Posted: 8/25/24 at 10:57pm

Well I’m curious about Hello, I’m Dolly. If she was/is attached I mean she could easily do this and then that in 2026. 

[CoffeeBreak]

Posted: 8/25/24 at 11:11pm

Updated On: 8/26/24 at 11:11 PM

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 8/26/24 at 12:48am

CoffeeBreak said: "We will see, even with her and Arden money in the project, if this makes it in to NYC.  It's a 50/50 despite announcements...

Waaaaay too much money has been spent on this project already.... Hearing rumors this is not coming in soon if at all."

Usually regarded as foolish to do a commercial out of town tryout without being fully capitalized for Broadway. I can't see why investors would want to go near this if the best case scenario is "improved from Boston but not amazing."

There is going to be a TON of pressure on KC's shoulders to sell tickets, and if it becomes known as "the Kristin show" that makes it very hard to cast replacements or tour without her. Think BOY FROM OZ or MR. SATURDAY NIGHT. If it flops, it looks bad on both her judgement and her star power.

[Broadway Flash]

Posted: 8/26/24 at 1:20am

I’ve heard this is the feeling with Audra Gypsy as well.  Her last flop is hovering over the entire production.  Redwood is also riding on Idina’s shoulders, although I guess that’s a cheaper production.  And I heard Gypsy and Redwood have decent advances. 

[Theatrefanboy1]

Posted: 8/26/24 at 5:38am

Yea the capital has been raised. It’s a later on in 2025 opening on Broadway ( think like summer/September/October) it’s left out of this season for fear of competing with idina and Audra 

[Kad]

Posted: 8/26/24 at 8:37am

Chenoweth certainly has been attached to many projects, as befitting someone of her level of fame. But she does also have a habit of hyperbole when discussing things like this. 

[DaveyG]

Posted: 8/26/24 at 9:12am

ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "She's been loosely attached to so many shows in development over the past decade.

• a differentTammy Faye musical (with a score by Henry Krieger)
• Soapdish(Rob Ashford, Stiles & Drewe)
• Death Becomes Her (announced as being a vehicle for her without a writing team, so I don't know how far they got while she was involved)
• Revivals ofCall Me Madam(Encores) andBest Little Whorehouse
• she was probably courted for some other revivals and things that were never actually announced.

"

I believe she did at least one reading of Death Becomes Her before bailing on the project.

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 8/26/24 at 9:29am

I have a hard time believing Bill Damaschke wouldn’t be able to raise the funds for this.

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 8/26/24 at 2:17pm

Broadway Flash said: "I’ve heard this is the feeling with Audra Gypsy as well. Her last flop is hovering over the entire production. Redwood is also riding on Idina’s shoulders, although I guess that’s a cheaper production. And I heard Gypsy and Redwood have decent advances."

I'm not really concerned about either of those shows raising their money. GYPSY has the two HADESTOWN lead producers behind it and it has an air of importance and class. REDWOOD seems a little more economical & accessible than something like QoV.

Will they sell? I don't know. GYPSY would be a bigger concern for me. It's now looking like Audra will be the only "name" in the show, which could mean sales get rough after about 3-4 months. As for Idina, she's consistently surprised us with her resilience. I don't think anyone involved with IF/THEN can be mad about that show's financial performance.

[AC126748]

Posted: 8/26/24 at 5:03pm

Call_me_jorge said: "I have a hard time believingBill Damaschke wouldn’t be able to raise the funds for this."

I believe the show will eventually come to Broadway, but it's clear that it still needs a lot of work. Reviews in Boston were all over the place. The engagement wasn't a blockbuster either -- tickets were very easy to come by throughout the run.