Lea Michele, Aaron Tveit, Nicholas Christopher to Lead Broadway Revival of ‘Chess’

by

This coming autumn, Lea Michele, Aaron Tveit, and Nicholas Christopher are set to take the stage for a Broadway reprise of the musical, “Chess.

The upcoming musical, boasting music from ABBA’s Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, along with Tim Rice, is set to have a fresh script penned by Danny Strong, the brain behind “Dopesick.” Michael Mayer, known for directing Michele in both “Spring Awakening” and “Funny Girl,” will steer this production.

Or simply:

The new musical, featuring ABBA’s music and a script by Danny Strong (of “Dopesick”), is being directed by Michael Mayer, who worked with Michele on “Spring Awakening” and “Funny Girl.”

Both versions convey the same information in an easy-to-read and natural manner.

I’m thrilled to let you know that the comeback event is planned for a Shubert Theater, and we’ll share more details like the specific dates and venue as soon as they become available. Stay tuned!

This staging represents the initial return of the musical to Broadway, having first premiered on Broadway in 1988 following its 1986 West End launch. The performance portrays a chess competition between an American and Soviet chess player, while simultaneously chronicling their battle for affection over a woman who finds herself torn between them.

For three years, the West End show held its run, but when Chess moved to Broadway, the show’s script underwent substantial changes. Andrew Lloyd Webber’s original book was for the London production, while Richard Nelson penned the revised version for Broadway. Since then, the score has amassed a devoted fanbase, with subsequent productions regularly modifying the script.

Lorin Latarro, who choreographed Waitress on Broadway, will choreograph the production. 

Michelle resumes her stint on Broadway, having taken over as Fanny Brice in “Funny Girl” from September 2022 and holding the part for a year. Notably, the star of “Glee” was the first to play Wendla in “Spring Awakening.

In a successful turn, Tveit clinched a Tony Award for his stellar performance as the lead in “Moulin Rouge.” More recently, he graced the stage in the revival of “Sweeney Todd,” sharing it with Sutton Foster. Furthermore, he starred in the production of “Catch Me If You Can,” portraying Frank Abagnale Jr., and was the first to play Gabe in the groundbreaking musical, “Next To Normal.

Christopher has taken on various stage roles, including portraying George Washington in the Broadway version of ‘Hamilton’, Seymour off-Broadway in ‘Little Shop of Horrors’, and Pirelli in the latest revival of ‘Sweeney Todd’. He has performed in numerous other parts as well.

Broadway’s production of Chess is being orchestrated by Tom Hulce, Robert Ahrens, The Shubert Organization, and Creative Partners Productions.

Read More

2025-05-28 16:25