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Chess Broadway

Chess Revival

Run Time:
2 Hours 40 Minutes, Including one 15 Min Intermission
Closing: June 21, 2026

Chess - 2025 Broadway History , Info & More

Run Type Open Run
Market Broadway
Previews October 15, 2025
This fall, see powerhouse trio Tony Award® winner Aaron Tveit (Moulin Rouge!), acclaimed stage and screen star Lea Michele (Funny Girl, Glee), and breakout talent Nicholas Christopher (Sweeney Todd, Hamilton) in CHESS, a seductive showdown of love, loyalty, and power on a global stage. As two of the greatest chess players in the world compete for something beyond victory, the woman between them is caught in a high-stakes battle of desire and devotion.

Featuring a legendary score by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus of ABBA and EGOT winner Tim Rice (Evita, Jesus Christ Superstar), an exhilarating new book by Danny Strong (Dopesick, The Butler), and direction by Tony winner Michael Mayer (Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Funny Girl), CHESS is Broadway’s boldest move yet and the must-see event of the season.

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PREVIEW Chess - 2025 - Broadway

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FEATURED REVIEWS FOR Chess

Chess: Just Another Bored Game

From: New York Stage Review By: Bob Verini Date: 2025-11-16

4 / 10

Tveit (Moulin Rouge!) seems to be coasting a bit, not completely committed to the Bobby Fischer-inspired Freddie’s bipolar swings – just a little too composed; but Michele (Glee; Funny Girl), looking terrific, tears into her impossible role of ping-ponging (another game!) between the two champions as if it made sense. Christopher (Hamilton) comes off best, his impassive Yul Brynner affect hinting at Anatoly’s deeper layers that emerge when forced to choose among three loves: Florence, wife Svetlana (a heartfelt Hannah Cruz) and Mother Russia.

The wacky chess musical is back, and it’s packed with bangers

From: The Washington Post By: Naveen Kumar Date: 2025-11-16

7 / 10

What everyone is really here for are the handful of blow-your-hair-back, 1980s-style rock ballads sung by the love-triangulated leads. Whether or not you appreciate the outrageous decibels at which they are amplified here, the bangers are built to impress, with notes held for longer than most people can count in their heads.

Video: How Playing the Long Game Earned Nicholas Christopher a Tony Nomination
by Luka Vonier - June 3, 2026


Watch in this video as 2026 Tony Award nominee Nicholas Christopher chats more about the honor of getting a nomination, the nuance of his complicated character, and so much more.

Video: JoJo Sings From CHESS & Shares Reaction to Production Closing with Lea Michele
by A.A. Cristi - May 27, 2026


Joanna 'JoJo' Levesque has shared her reaction to the news that the Broadway revival of CHESS would be ending its run early on Broadway. In a new video, JoJo gives fans a behind the scenes look at her preparation process for the show, rehearsing the songs, 'Nobody's Side,' and, 'I Know Him So Well'.

JoJo Was Set to Start CHESS Rehearsals the Day They Announced Closing
by Michael Major - May 27, 2026


Joanna 'JoJo' Levesque has revealed that she was supposed to start rehearsals for CHESS on Broadway the day that the show announced its early closing. JoJo was set to take over the role of 'Florence Vassey' from Lea Michele.

CHESS Will Close Early on Broadway
by Nicole Rosky - May 26, 2026


Chess will play its final performance on Sunday, June 21, 2026 at Broadway’s Imperial Theatre after over 250 performances starring Aaron Tveit,  Lea Michele and Nicholas Christopher.

Interview: Bryce Pinkham on Commanding CHESS as Broadway’s Magnetic Arbiter
by David Clarke - May 21, 2026


Bryce Pinkham has spent nearly a decade helping shape CHESS’ new Broadway life. With a Tony nomination for his Arbiter, the actor reflects on creativity, collaboration, family & why this long-complicated musical has finally found its moment.

Video: Bryce Pinkham Never Thought He'd Be in Musicals
by Luka Vonier - May 22, 2026


Watch in this video as 2026 Tony Award nominee Bryce Pinkham chats more about the amazing audience reactions at Chess, how his role is different every night, and so much more.

Lea Michele Reveals What Duet She Sang Both Parts of to Land Her Broadway Debut at Age 8
by Michael Gioia - May 19, 2026


Lea Michele exclusively tells BroadwayWorld about auditioning for her first Broadway show, the 1987 production of 'Les Miserables,' on a whim.

Video: Hannah Cruz Turned 23 Minutes Into a Tony Nomination
by Luka Vonier - May 15, 2026


Watch in this video as 2026 Tony nominee Hannah Cruz chats more about why this nomination surprised her, what an honor it is to be nominated, and so much more.

Video: Learn the 'One Night In Bangkok' Choreography from CHESS
by Luka Vonier - May 18, 2026


In this episode, watch as Ben hits the rehearsal room at ART/New York to break down Lorin Latarro's choreography for Broadway's Chess with the help of dance captains Michael Milkanin and Sarah Michele Lindsey. Can you keep up?

Video: Nicholas Christopher Is Exactly Where He Wants to Be
by Luka Vonier - May 14, 2026


Fresh off his 2026 Tony nomination, Nicholas Christopher is still marveling at how unexpectedly this chapter of his career came together. Watch in this video as he shares more about advice he's gotten from his Chess costars, what he loves most about his character, and more. 

Video: Lea Michele's Kids Join Her Onstage at CHESS For Mother's Day
by Michael Major - May 11, 2026


Lea Michele was surprised by her children onstage at Chess for Mother's Day! During the production's curtain call on Sunday, her kids ran out to hand her flowers. Watch the video now.

Video: Hannah Cruz & Nicholas Cristopher in 'The Deal (Part 1)' from CHESS on Broadway
by Joshua Wright - May 10, 2026


Watch Tony Award nominees Hannah Cruz and Nicholas Cristopher perform an excerpt of The Deal (Part 1) from the Broadway revival of Chess.

Videos: CHESS Audience Celebrate Tony Nominees With Thunderous Applause
by Michael Major - May 6, 2026


Audiences at Chess celebrated the production's five Tony Award nominations at Tuesday night's performance. Watch videos of the audience celebrating its Tony-nominated actors, Nicholas Christopher, Bryce Pinkham, and Hannah Cruz.

Video: Aaron Tveit Is Playing to Win in Broadway’s CHESS
by Luka Vonier - May 1, 2026


Tony winner Aaron Tveit returns to the stage this season in his seventh Broadway role- 'Freddie Trumper' in Michale Mayor's acclaimed revival of Chess. It's been almost four decades since the cult-favorite musical made its debut, and Tveit's electrifying performance is one of the reasons fans have been flocking to the Imperial Theatre. Watch in this video as he chats more about the bond he has formed with his fierce costars, and talks more about what he loves about 'Freddie.'

Video: Lea Michele Is Making All the Right Moves as the Queen of CHESS
by Luka Vonier - April 29, 2026


Somebody sure is on Lea Michele's side this season. Not only did the stage and screen star make her triumphant return to Broadway in Chess (now running at the Imperial Theatre), but she just celebrated one of the ultimate Broadway honors- a portrait at the legendary Sardi's. Watch in this video as she chats more about the audience's response at Chess, the joys of being back in a Broadway show, and so much more.

Video: CHESS Star Nicholas Christopher Stuns with 'Endgame' Finale
by A.A. Cristi - April 22, 2026


Broadway's newest heartthrob Nicholas Christopher is bringing the heat and winning hearts in the smash-hit revival of Chess. In newly released video from inside the Imperial Theatre, Nicholas proves his chops in the live setting, flawlessly executing the astonishing feat backed by the show's company. 

Video: Get to Know Her So Well- Meet CHESS Star Hannah Cruz
by Robert Bannon - April 24, 2026


Known for her stunning vocals and commanding presence, Chess star Hannah Cruz opens up about stepping into this iconic score, the emotional depth of the material, and what makes this production feel fresh, urgent, and completely of the moment. Watch in this video!

Video: Aaron Tveit Opens Up About Wardrobe Mishap During CHESS Performance
by Josh Sharpe - April 21, 2026


Aaron Tveit may be a Tony Award-winning performer, but he still faces challenges while treading the boards. Watch his visit to The Kelly Clarkson Show, where the Chess star shares a story about a wardrobe malfunction that happened during a performance of the revival.

Video: CHESS Stars Reflect on New Cast Recording: 'The Album Really Rocks'
by Josh Sharpe - April 21, 2026


Aaron Tveit, Lea Michele and Nicholas Christopher visited Late Night with Seth Meyers on Tuesday to discuss starring in the Broadway revival of Chess. Watch their appearance now!

Chess FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What are the songs in Chess and what's the order?
Prologue: The Story of Chess Merano Press Conference Anatoly and Molokov Where I Want to Be U.S. Versus U.S.S.R. Arbiter's Song Chess Hymn Merchandisers' Song Chess Quartet Florence and Molokov Nobody's Side Mountain Duet Florence Quits Pity the Child Embassy Lament Heaven Help My Heart Anthem One Night in Bangkok Florence and Anatoly You and I The Soviet Machine Interview The Deal I Know Him So Well Frederick and Anatoly Endgame The Argument East or West? Postponement A Major Story How Many Women Someone Else's Story Terrace Duet Hungarian Folk Song No Contest A Whole New Board Game Let's Work Together Lullaby

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

Chess - 2025 Broadway Awards and Nominations

Note: Award winners are highlighted with a background.
Chess awards and nominations
Year Ceremony Category Nominee
2026 Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Lead Performance in a Musical Nicholas Christopher
2026 Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Revival of a Musical Chess
2026 Drama League Awards OUTSTANDING REVIVAL OF A MUSICAL Chess
2026 Outer Critics Circle Awards Outstanding Lead Performer in a Broadway Musical Nicholas Christopher
2026 Outer Critics Circle Awards Outstanding Revival of a Musical Chess
2026 Tony Awards Best Lighting Design of a Musical Kevin Adams
2026 Tony Awards Best Orchestrations Brian Usifer
2026 Tony Awards Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical Bryce Pinkham
2026 Tony Awards Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical Nicholas Christopher
2026 Tony Awards Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical Hannah Cruz

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