will CHESS finally be a hit on Broadway? | musical revival starring Lea Michele announced for 2025

Between the whole Challengers vibe that they’re clearly leaning into and the fact that chess is pretty en vogue now thanks to The Queen’s Gambit- yes, that was a while ago now, but its impact remains- I’m pretty sure this has to be a hit.

Fun, it's also returning to the stage in Copenhagen 😊

I'm expecting a Jamie Lloyd-esque minimal sets, all tech, all harsh aesthetic here... but to be fair, the media do play a major role in the story so it wouldn't be inappropriate!
I was in the audience at the Royal Albert Hall concert with Idina Menzel, and she was relying heavily on the teleprompter. I know it was a concert so not expecting fully staged, and I know it's a complex score, but the fact she wasn't off book does say a lot about her characterisation and performance overall.

I only really know of the musical because of the podcast One Hit Thunder covering the song One Night In Bangkok, super cool to hear it’s coming back to Broadway!

I want to add a little more about Nicholas Christopher’s talent and work ethic. Last year, he headlined NY City Center Encores’ production of Jelly’s Last Jam (and he was beyond incredible. While rehearsing for that, he was still playing Pirelli and going on for Sweeney once a week. I don’t know how he did it. Also, he recently jumped back into Hamilton for a quick unannounced run as Burr and had such a unique take on the role. I don’t know how he does it all.

I had seen the original B'way cast and was excited because it was my first CD (yes, back when they first came out) and I fell in love with the music and story. The set was crazy with these HUGE pillars that were manually 'driven' around the stage to create scenes. Musically, it was there. The story did change (I'm assuming because it was the American version to satisfy the American audience) and it was LONG! I believe it was over 2 hours. Overall, I was a bit let down by it by the production. Let's hope this new revival lives up to the hype! BTW, I'm STILL a huge fan of the original concept album (and, YES I still have that CD!)

I’m excited for this. AND you should all watch Jodi Benson’s versions of both ‘Nobody’s Side’ and ‘Someone Else’s Story’. They are perfection!

I’ll be waiting to see Lea’s understudy or replacement because I don’t support bullies/abusers.

Not to be reactionary, but I will watch/listen to any version of Chess, but the offstage stories surrounding Lea Michele makes watching her in it a difficult task.

Said it before and will say it again, and again, and again.... When it comes to Bjorn's and Bynny's music, nothing beats "kristina fran Duvemala". You need to sit yourself down and go through it, full original cast is on spotify. In Swediah, but you can follow the songs by looking up Kristina ion Wiki and they have an explanation for every song following the plotline.. You will hear ABBA with Chess with strong classical music and arrangements that are out of this world.

I beg they include “he’s a man he’s a child”! it’s a solo for Svetlana originally written for the Swedish version then translated and it works way better than “someone else’s story” imo because it was written for her where as “someone else’s story” was not (it was for Florence if anyone doesn’t know)

I’ve never seen Chess and didn’t even know One Night in Bangkok was from the show (I just thought of it as a new wave song that Mike Tyson of all people later covered) but I’m intrigued! Personally I feel like the Music Box will be where this show ends up given that we know Dorian Grey is closing end of June. It’s already wild seeing that the 2026 season already has high expectations for musical revivals since Ragtime is coming to Lincoln center

I adore Chess, its always been in my top 5 musicals - saw the original with Elaine Paige in London back in the 80s, and the wonderful In Concert version at the Royal Albert Hall (cant believe it was two decades ago). Nobody's Side hits my emotional nerve every time. Yes I'm very excited too for this!!! By the way - saw Sir Tim Rice last month doing his lecture tour - and it was really a special privilege to be there. I've never heard his songs sung better by the four amazing singers he had with him.

One of the reasons that CHESS is “a big mess” (to quote TITLE OF SHOW) is that is was developed by Michael Bennett, who then had to drop out at the last moment because he was dying of AIDS. Trevor Nunn stepped in, but was stuck with the essentials of Bennett’s concept and production, which he didn’t like or know what to do with, including the ensemble of dancers. His condition for bringing the show to New York was being able to completely start over from the ground up. And, apparently, his version was even worse than what was seen in London. So the authors and various directors have never stopped tinkering and making changes in an effort to fix it. I’ve always been curious as to what might have been had Bennett lived and been able to fully realize his vision for the show.

I think it’s destined for The Imperial. Smash won’t last too long after the Tony’s.

Ok. So. So. Mickey Jo. Micky. Mick.
We need to have some real talk.

This is right now in my pass column.

You’ve noted it was going to be expensive. True.

And we all love Chess. Who among us didn’t realize they were gay listening to two high school theatre kid girlfriends singing I Know Him So Well? (And you’ve noted the singing is going to rip. 100% agree.)

But here’s the quiet part out loud. Chess… is… …. Bad.

Frank Rich is right. For all the tension, there are incredibly low stakes. Because things just happen, characters arc, just cuz.

There is NO reason Florence “defects” romantically. (Maybe I would buy it somehow 5% more if it were a Brit.) Mountains Duet is

Also, Freddy is a sexy badass. But then he’s a snarky incel, but then he’s emotionally traumatized? This is not an arc. It’s not even character exploration. It just seems like bolting on extra IKEA parts.

So the play happens. And then it… ends. Bad.

Strong, with a new book, has a lot of weight on his shoulders. But I doubt it can get its Merrily Treatment, as that was a flaw in directing. This is a material flaw.

But Mountain High is probably material that is too indulgently precious material. And they aren’t going to tip that apart like they need to.

Ok. End of rant.

I’d welcome Orville Peck as the Arbiter. And my own hot take: Amber Grey as Svetlana.

Not interested in chess the musical songs. I am a checkers fan. Only would see it because of Aaron Tveit. Also, Lea Michele in Spring Awakening saw it three times. She was very nice and talkative to every fan at the stage door, she was kind to take a picture with me. Revival of Mamma Mia for limited run at the Winter Garden. Mamma Mia cast is all terrific many saw them on national usa tour right now. The play Art will be heading into the music box theater. Just in time extended into 2026 with Jonathan Geoff, it probably helped Lea Michele to sign into the revival of Chess. Sierra Boggess and Ramin Karmiloo come as a duo.

YOU'RE SO SWEET! Get ready, as someone who didn't really know the history before diving in...this documentary is gonna be two hours of "Wait, what!?"

So looking forward to this as the original Bwy production closed two weeks before my tickets.

‘You know me so well’ made me laugh😂

I saw an advert for Wait in the Wings documentary - glad to know its coming soon. I remember when Chess first came out. I saw the version with Alexandra Burke playing Svetlana during previews and funny story the guy playing Freddie bailed after act one as his partner went into labour. So his poor understudy who'd never been on stage before was straight into One Night in Bangkok.

Is this the Danny Srong who was Joinathan in Buffy?

I never understood this Chess hype, the versions I saw were dreadful , but hey,...everything Aaron Tveit is in, turns into gold, so I an intrigued

I’d argue Josh Groban and Adam Pascal from the filmed Chess, are pretty similarly both “white guys” haha

No

It's had so many odd revisions, across all the varied revivals.
Which mostly didn't work.
The music is classic, which is why it works in concert -- maybe that's where it should stay. I guess we'll see.

Totally agree about Idina Menzel not being quite right for the role of Florence. It's been a while since I've watched it, but I remember some of her vocals being a bit shouty, like she was really pushing to hit the notes.

i never want to hear One Night in Bangkok ever again.

I will likely get bashed for this but I'm not particularly a fan of Aaron Tveit. I genuinely don't enjoy his voice.

I am not a Lea Michelle fan, when she has a scheduled absence I’ll go

Here's what will probably actually happen. People will sit begrudgingly through the first act, applaud 'Anthem', then interval, and then..... 🎶One Night in Bangkok, and the crowd goes home! 🎶

LOVED Samantha Barks as Florence. What a voice and what a stage presence.

The West End production was a knock out-- a HOT BRILLIANT mess-- Good luck!

I saw CHESS on one of the first previews of CHESS in the 80's on Broadway with the extraordinary David Carroll and Judy Kuhn. It did run over 3.5 hours. It started with Florence as a little girl with her father, Gregor, and he in being taken away to Siberian camp for being a political dissident. The show did NOT take place over a matter a days. In the end there is an exchange for Anatoly going back to Russia in exchange for the release of Florence's father.. Her father is released and Florence is able to see her father before he dies they sing a lullaby together. I still have the original Playbill.

This feels like an appropriate place to share the anecdote from Tim Rice's concert where he talks about how "One Night In Bangkok" was getting really popular and being played on the radio a lot, but people would frequently say they didn't know what it was about. Tim Rice then said "I thought to myself, you idiots, it's about one night in Bangkok" 😆 To be fair to them, I don't know if I know what it's about having heard it! He also talked about how Anthem closes Act 1 and so of course it then was performed by one of the singers to close Act 1 of his show too! They also of course sang I Know Him So Well. I've never seen Chess so those are the only three songs I know but I'm excited it's finally getting it's revival!

People. Keep. Trying. To. Make. This. Show. Work!

Part of the actor's characters will depend on the director. That is key to this show.

Ciara Renee would be a great Svetlana.....

I think they need to write a new song for Svetlana....

Is the book yet a different one from the one for the 2018 London revival with Michael Ball?

So, I have to admit I don't know a lot about Chess. But I have no doubt Lea is going to be a fantastic Florence, and will give, once again, the performance of a lifetime ♥ As far as I'm concerned, she's the best and the finest, and I look forward to see her in that show ♥

I have 2 dance remakes of I Know Him So Well.

I've waited 37 years to see this happen and I must tell you that I am definitely going to skip it as long as Lea Michele is appearing in it. She is completely wrong for this role. She is extremely "whiney" in everything she does. This may have worked for Funny Girl but it's a hard pass on Florence in CHESS. Talented singer, yes, but I will wait to see if there is an alternate signed to handle her matinees or such. If something should prevent her from committing to this project, well, let's hope.

Hopefully Lea Michelle will actually show up for more performances than she did for Funny Girl. Also, what happened to her face? I’ve waited years for Chess to come back but I’m skeptical.

I always thought the arbiter would be fantastic played by a woman.

So far, Chess has fallen into the same category as another Rice work, Jesus Christ Superstar - great material that nobody quite knows how to handle. Hopefully, this revival is finally in the hands of people who will do it the justice it deserves.

Praying it’s the version I saw originally in the West End. They ruined it when they brought it to the US.

if this happens, I will see it. I have loved Chess since it was first performed and One Night in Bangkok was a hit. I have bought this soundtrack like 4 times. Only sadness is no Murray Head

By my count, I've seen 7 productions of Chess, with only two of them possibly being the same book and song order. The wildest version was in the early 90s at a Chicago regional theater, when it took Richard Nelson's script from the Broadway version and re-set in the years AFTER the fall of the Berlin Wall and Soviet Union. The show made some sense with a story we didn't really care about, but the music and performances were fantastic. Maybe the best time I've ever had at a "bad" show. The only version of the show that didnt' work was an "unplugged," micro-staging in a small San Francisco theater where the actors were not body-mic'd and the bigger rock numbers just didn't work.

Советую вам ознакомиться с московской версией мюзикла. В этой версии придерживаются порядка номеров из оригинального концепт-альбома 1984 года, и, по-моему, это очень сильная версия. Особенно завершение на "You And I / The Story Of Chess" мне очень нравится.