Kristin Chenoweth’s latest Broadway production is set to close significantly earlier than planned, following a combination of disappointing ticket sales, critical reviews, and controversy surrounding the star’s comments on Charlie Kirk. Some critics have speculated that her public sympathy for the conservative figure might have contributed to the show’s early closure.

The musical, “The Queen of Versailles,” which premiered on November 9, will now conclude on January 4, instead of its originally scheduled run through March 29.

Chenoweth, renowned for her role as Glinda in the original cast of “Wicked,” faced backlash in September after expressing condolences to Kirk’s family on social media following his assassination. Her message drew significant attention and criticism.

On Instagram, the 57-year-old shared her sorrow, saying, “I’m. So. Upset. Didn’t always agree, but appreciated some perspectives.”

She continued, expressing her heartbreak over the loss and empathy for Kirk’s young family, adding, “What a heartbreak. His young family. I know where he is now. Heaven. But still.”

The comments by Chenoweth, who has a large LGBT following, sparked outrage from fans who inundated her with critical comments. 

 The Broadway icon told the The Hollywood Reporter this month that the backlash ‘almost broke’ her.

‘It was tough on me, but I’m not going to answer any questions about it because I dealt with it,’ she said of the Kirk controversy.

Stage star Kiristin Chenoweth’s Queen of Versailles, which opened on November 9, will hold its final performance on January 4 after previously having dates listed through March 29 

Chenoweth was the target of intense criticism in September after Kirk’s assassination for showing sympathy to his family in a social media post

Chenoweth’s role in the play, which is based on a 2012 documentary about a Florida couple seeking to build a luxurious abode just before the 2008 financial crisis, had been in the works for five years.

‘I dare say I just think it’s a very topical piece,’ she told the Hollywood Reporter.

‘People will have things to say about it, whether they’re good or bad.’     

The show began previews on October 8 following a successful stint at the Emerson Colonial Theater in Boston. 

Reviews since then have been mostly negative.

Entertainment Weekly wrote that ‘the songs are just one of many problems plaguing an identity crisis of a show that doesn’t quite seem to know what it wants to be.’

The Guardian called it ‘lavish, unwieldy, pointless and seemingly unfinished.’

The New York Post panned the production’s entire second act as ‘terrible.’ 

Reviews for the splashy production have been mixed. It marked Chenoweth’s first Broadway play in more than a decade

However, The New York Times praised it as an ‘entertaining biomusical with a hummable score.’

The stage adaptation marked a reunion between Chenoweth and the composer for the original score of Wicked, Stephen Schwartz.

It was also Chenoweth’s return to Broadway after ten years, after she made a cameo in 2024’s Wicked film.

She does not appear in the sequel released this month.

Following the Monday announcement, several fans took to social media to suggest that the controversy surrounding Kirk played a part in the decision to prematurely pull the show.

One onlooker wrote on a Facebook post from Variety that featured a photo of Chenoweth:  ‘Honestly considering her recent “alignment choices” I’m shocked it lasted that long.

‘Moral of the story: If you play stupid games, typically you get stupid prizes! Bless her heart (sarcasm)’.

Someone else scathed: ‘Sometimes simply not commenting about political lightning rods is better for entertainers’ careers. Maybe next time she won’t try to play both sides.’

Chenoweth (right) as Glinda in the original production of Wicked, opposite Idina Menzel

‘I doubt that it has anything to do with her Charlie Kirk comments. They didn’t help, but it was a bizarre choice for a show anyway,’ another person wrote.

Kevin James Bennett, an accomplished beauty editor and Emmy Award-winning makeup artist, also commented on the announcement.

He wrote: ‘ For those of you who thought “The Queen of Versailles” could survive the leading lady being exposed as MAGA-friendly… The show is CLOSING on January 4th,’ adding the hashtag ‘#SorryNotSorry.’

‘Before any of you chime in with, “how can you be so cruel, people will be losing jobs…” I feel sad for Stephen Schwartz and the cast, but Kristin Chenoweth should have thought about that before she publicly betrayed the LGBTQ+ community, who have loved and supported her career for decades.

‘We would have shown up, even to a bad show, just to support our Queen Kristin.

‘But agreeing with MAGA celebrity propaganda on social media following Charlie Kirk’s death was a step too far.’

He concluded by calling Kirk ‘a vicious enemy of’ the LGBT community.

‘Sympathizing with any rhetoric that positions him as a martyr is unacceptable, Ms. Chenoweth.’