Matt Reviews: The Queen of Versailles (both of ‘em), Ragtime & A Conversation with Teale Dvornik

Episode Summary Matt dives into two major musical events: Broadway’s divisive, new bio-musical The Queen of Versailles and its two different leading ladies, as well as the long-awaited revival of Ragtime . He breaks down the productions’ strengths, stumbles, creative choices, and star performances before welcoming Broadway content creator and author Teale Dvornik for a candid conversation about audience culture, the changing ecosystem around modern theater and her new book History Hiding Around Broadway . Timestamps 00:00 – Opening & Episode Setup Matt tees up the week’s reviews and previews what’s ahead. 02:10 – The Queen of Versailles A breakdown of the musical’s glossy aesthetic, technical elements, score, staging, and script; Matt’s take on Kristin Chenoweth’s performance; questions about tone, satire, and emotional center; comparisons to other wealth-focused musicals. 23:00 – Ragtime Initial expectations vs. what the production delivers; performances, orchestrations, pacing, and the challenge of modernizing a massive period musical; where this revival succeeds, where it pulls back, and how it reframes the material for 2025 audiences. 45:00 – Interview: Teale Dvornik A thoughtful, candid conversation about Broadway marketing, social-media influence, community behavior, and how digital audiences impact ticket sales, show reputation, and performer well-being. Teale offers insight from inside the industry — and clears up several misconceptions about influencers, access, and online discourse. Key People Mentioned The Queen of Versailles * Kristin Chenoweth , Sherie Rene Scott, Stephen Schwartz , Lindsey Ferrentino , Michael Arden Ragtime * Lynn Ahrens & Stephen Flaherty , Terrence McNally , E.L. Doctorow Interview * Teale Dvornik Resources & Links Broadway Breakdown: Discord Broadway Breakdown: Substack Buy History Hiding Around Broadway Listener Discussion Questions * What do you think would make The Queen of Versailles work? And could time be kinder to it down the line? * How should a modern revival approach a large, politically charged musical like Ragtime ? * Has an individual performance changed your opinion on a show? This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bwaybreakdown.substack.com