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Chess

Closing: May 17, 1998

Chess - 1998 New York History , Info & More

John Houseman Theatre Studio
450 West 42nd St.(between 9th & 10th) New York, NY

A superb cast of West End stars including James Fox (Fame Academy, Jesus Christ Superstar), Shona White (Wicked), Tam Mutu (Love Never Dies), Rebecca Lock (The Phantom of the Opera, Avenue Q), James Graeme (The Phantom of the Opera), David Erik (Dirty Dancing, The Phantom of the Opera) and Steve Varnom (The Woman in White) lead a cast of 30 actors and musicians in this unmissable production.

Written by Tim Rice and ABBA’s Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson, CHESS has one of the greatest musical theatre scores of all time including One Night In Bangkok, Pity The Child, Anthem, You And I and, of course, I Know Him So Well.

Two of the world's greatest chess masters battle it out at the world chess championships but their greatest contest is for the love of one woman. Amidst political intrigue and international conspiracies, the American and the Russian fight to win the heart of Florence Vassy in a romantic triangle that mirrors the heightened passions of the Cold War all set to an explosive score by the composers of Mamma Mia and the lyricist of Jesus Christ Superstar and Evita.

Make your move now and book for the must-see musical event of the year!


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Final Chance to Vote for the 2026 Theater Fans' Choice Awards
by Team BWW - Jun 2, 2026


This is the Final Chance to Vote for the 2026 Theater Fans' Choice Awards. The Theater Fans' Choice Awards honor and celebrate the best of New York Theater - as decided by the most important critics, the audience at large - allowing YOU to have your say during the most exciting time of the year for the theater community.

Final Week to Vote for the 2026 Theater Fans' Choice Awards; THE LOST BOYS Leads Best New Musical
by Team BWW - May 29, 2026


There's just four days left to vote for the 2026 Theater Fans' Choice Awards. The Theater Fans' Choice Awards honor and celebrate the best of New York Theater - as decided by the most important critics, the audience at large - allowing YOU to have your say during the most exciting time of the year for the theater community.

How to Watch 2026 Tony Award Nominees at Home: THE LOST BOYS, SCHMIGADOON! & More
by Josh Sharpe - May 16, 2026


The nominations are here for the 2026 Tony Awards. This year, a high number of titles have onscreen counterparts, and we have rounded up how to watch these versions at home, from The Lost Boys to Schmigadoon!

AN EVENING WITH ADAM PASCAL to be Presented at Arc Stages
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Feb 13, 2026


Pleasantville theater company Arc Stages will present An Evening with Adam Pascal, with special guest John Hickok. This special, one night only concert will benefit the Arc Stages Capital Campaign.

Did You Know These Broadway Revivals Started As Flops?
by Jennifer Ashley Tepper - Jan 11, 2026


It wasn’t until later on in theatre history that revivals began including shows that weren’t initially well received or financially successful in their initial engagements. As musical theatre continued to evolve, and more shows entered the canon, a consensus began to grow about shows being worthy of additional exploration even if they hadn’t been hits the first time around. What about musicals that had been ahead of their time, musicals that had fallen prey to circumstances, early works by writers who became successful later on, and of course, shows that found an audience after closing via their cast recordings?

Lea Michele Remembers Marin Mazzie with 1997 RAGTIME Halloween Tribute
by Michael Major - Oct 9, 2025


Lea Michele is honoring the late Marin Mazzie on her birthday with backstage photos from Ragtime in 1997. The upcoming Chess star took to social media to share photos of herself dressed up as Mazzie as 'Mother' for Halloween.

A History of Pop Music Bio-Musicals
by Jennifer Ashley Tepper - Jun 29, 2025


Just In Time’s origin story as well as overall conceit has much in common with one of Broadway’s very first jukebox musicals, which was ahead of its time. In 1985, Leader of the Pack, telling the story of pop singer-songwriter Ellie Greenwich, opened at the Ambassador on Broadway. Learn all about pop music bio-musicals here!

CRAIG CHRISTIE'S CRUSADE Comes to the Crazy Coqs This Month
by Stephi Wild - Jun 16, 2025


The Crazy Coqs will continue its season of new shows, each with a different musical theme, featuring the cream of the West End and Beyond, presented by Mark Robert Petty with Craig Christie and with Musical Direction by TomArnold.

Meet the Cast of FLOYD COLLINS, Now on Broadway
by Stephi Wild - Mar 28, 2025


Performances are now underway for Lincoln Center Theater's Broadway premiere of Floyd Collins, a musical with book by Tina Landau, music and lyrics by Adam Guettel, additional lyrics by Tina Landau and direction by Tina Landau. Meet the cast of the production!

BEAUTIFUL, THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL Comes to CMT Marquee
by Stephi Wild - Nov 5, 2024


CMT MARQUEE will kick off its 57th Season with the local premiere of Beautiful, The Carole King Musical. Beautiful marks the beginning of Kevin Hauge’s final season after 30 years of leadership at Children’s Musical Theater San Jose.

Cissy Houston, Gospel Singer and Mother of Whitney Houston, Passes Away at 91
by Josh Sharpe - Oct 7, 2024


BroadwayWorld is saddened to report that Grammy Award-winning singer and mother of the late Whitney Houston, Cissy Houston, has passed away. She was 91 years old.

Feature: DAZED AND CONFUSED 30th Anniversary Party at Paramount Theatre
by Sabrina Wallace - Oct 2, 2024


To celebrate its 30th anniversary, AFS hosted a special screening of the 1993 film Dazed and Confused at the Paramount Theatre where Linklater and some of the cast members joined fans for a talk-back after the movie #ATX #AFS

Everything We Know About Netflix's SPELLBOUND Musical
by Josh Sharpe - Sep 1, 2024


Spellbound, an animated fantasy musical, will be arriving on November 22. Ahead of its release, BroadwayWorld has collected all the information available about the upcoming film including who's lending their voices to the characters, who wrote the new songs, and where to see it in November.

Previews: ANASTASIA al TEATRO ARCIMBOLDI
by Ettore Farrattini - Jul 3, 2024


ANASTASIA al TEATRO ARCIMBOLDI DEBUTTO A DICEMBRE 2024 A MILANO PER LA VERSIONE ITALIANA DEL GRANDE SUCCESSO DI BROADWAY

Jeanna de Waal, Jay Armstrong Johnson, and More Will Lead ANYTHING GOES at the Muny
by Stephi Wild - May 23, 2024


Jeanna de Waal, Jay Armstrong Johnson, Kevin Chamberlin, George Abud, Kimberly Immanuel, Adrianna Hicks, Ann Harada, Lara Teeter, Eric Jordan Young, Danny Gardner, Spencer Jones and Joe Capstick will star in the Muny production of Anything Goes.

Erika Henningsen, Kyle Selig & More to be Featured in Theatre Aspen 2023 Holiday Events
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Nov 27, 2023


Theatre Aspen will present the return of their celebrated cabaret series for its third year. See who is starring and learn how to purchase tickets!

MOMENTS, A MUNY DOCUSERIES Examines the 106-Year History of The Muny in St. Louis
by James Lindhorst - Nov 4, 2023


“Moments, A Muny Docuseries” is the brainchild of Colby Dezelick, The Muny’s Digital Communications Manager. He told Broadway World that this documentary series will focus on the century long history of The Muny. He shared that episode will examine specific moments in the timeline of The Muny and the blind courage it took to create an outdoor performance space that has now become a legendary theater. In fact, the first episode is titled “Blind Courage.” As part of the production process Dezelick hand selected St. Louis Actor Rich Pisarkiewicz to serve as the narrator for the series. 

PHILADELPHIA BOUND? Fall Presents Over 120 Festivals, Block Parties, Shows, Charity Events and More
by Marina Kennedy - Sep 3, 2023


Are you bound for the Philadelphia area this fall.  There’s so much to see and do that our readers will like to know about. 

Darren Day, Hannah-Jane Fox & More Complete the Cast of CLOSE UP - THE TWIGGY MUSICAL
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Aug 14, 2023


Discover the latest additions to the cast of THE TWIGGY MUSICAL, including Darren Day and Hannah-Jane Fox. Find out when and where this highly anticipated production will be held, and secure your tickets to experience this sensational musical firsthand. Don't miss out - book your seats now!

Adam Pascal, Aimie Atkinson, and More Join the Cast of DEATH NOTE THE MUSICAL In Concert
by Stephi Wild - Jul 24, 2023


Final casting has been revealed for the European premiere of the multi award-winning manga stage musical Death Note THE MUSICAL in Concert. Find out who is starring in the show here!

Video: Go Inside Rehearsal for DISNEY'S BEAUTY & THE BEAST at The Muny
by Blair Ingenthron - Jun 11, 2023


Check out a sneak peek video of the first day of rehearsal for Disney's Beauty & the Beast at The Muny, starring Ashley Blanchet, Ben Crawford, Claybourne Elder, Ann Harada, and more!

The Muny's DISNEY'S BEAUTY AND THE BEAST Announces Full Cast, Design, and Production Teams
by Blair Ingenthron - Jun 11, 2023


The Muny has announced its full cast, design and production teams for the Muny family favorite Disney's Beauty and the Beast, June 22 -30.

Ivo Van Hove's Production of A LITTLE LIFE Will Be Screened in Cinemas Across the UK and Europe
by Stephi Wild - Jun 9, 2023


 Ivo van Hove's English language première of Hanya Yanagihara's critically acclaimed prize-winning novel, A Little Life, comes to cinemas across the UK and selected European countries on 28 September 2023.

Adam Pascal Will Direct RENT in Long Island This Summer
by Stephi Wild - May 24, 2023


Adam Pascal will direct a production of Rent coming to Long island's From Stage to Screen this summer. Auditions will be held this month.  Performances will run July 28-30.

Santino Fontana & Judy Kuhn to Star in I CAN GET IT FOR YOU WHOLESALE at Classic Stage Company
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 22, 2023


Classic Stage Company has announced complete programming for their 2023-2024 Season. See what shows are in the lineup, who is starring, how to purchase tickets, and more!

Chess History

Other Productions of Chess

1984   London Fringe London Concert
London Fringe
1986   West End Original London Production
West End
1988   Broadway Broadway Production
Broadway
1992   Off-Broadway Off-Broadway Revival
Off-Broadway
1992   Milburn, NJ (Regional) Paper Mill Production
Milburn, NJ (Regional)
1997   Australia Australian Revival
Australia
1998   New York New York Concert
New York
2001   Nyack Concert
2003   Broadway Actors' Fund Concert
Broadway
2018   Washington, DC (Regional) Kennedy Center Broadway Center Stage Revival
Washington, DC (Regional)
2018   West End London Coliseum Revival Production
West End
2025   Broadway
Broadway

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