Broadway is setting the stage for an electrifying showdown this fall with the long-awaited revival of Chess, the Cold War-era musical composed by ABBA's Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, with lyrics by Tim Rice.
After decades of cult admiration and international revivals, this marks the first official Broadway return of the production since its rocky two-month debut in 1988.
The new staging, helmed by Tony Award-winning director Michael Mayer (Spring Awakening, Funny Girl), will star Glee alum and Broadway darling Lea Michele, Tony winner Aaron Tveit, and Nicholas Christopher, fresh off standout turns in Hamilton and Sweeney Todd. This production will debut at a Shubert theater, though producers are keeping the exact venue and opening date under wraps for now.
Chess is set against the high-stakes backdrop of a fictional international chess championship between an American and Soviet grandmaster. But beyond the board, it's a potent drama of political gamesmanship and romantic entanglements. Michele plays Florence Vassy, a Hungarian-born chess manager caught between rival players — the brash American Freddie Trumper (Tveit) and the brooding Soviet champion Anatoly Sergievsky (Christopher).
This new revival features a reimagined book by Dopesick creator Danny Strong, offering a more character-driven and politically resonant version of the story. It replaces the often-criticized narrative of the original Broadway run, which diverged heavily from the critically acclaimed West End version. The London production, with a script by Rice himself, ran for three years and helped establish Chess as a fan favorite thanks to songs like "One Night in Bangkok" and the soaring ballad "Anthem."
The 2025 revival hopes to correct past missteps while tapping into the show's enduring musical appeal. Producer Tom Hulce — known for his Tony-winning work on Spring Awakening and A Bronx Tale — joins forces with Robert Ahrens and The Shubert Organization, signaling a heavyweight backing for what's shaping up to be one of the most anticipated productions of the season.
Choreographer Lorin Latarro (Waitress, Into the Woods) is set to bring a dynamic visual language to the production, and early rehearsals are expected to begin in late summer. According to a recent interview with Vulture, Mayer said the team is aiming to "bring the heat of the Cold War right back to Broadway — with heart, heat, and a hell of a lot of harmonies."
For Michele, this marks her first return to Broadway since her much-publicized takeover as Fanny Brice in Funny Girl, where she played a sold-out run for over a year. Tveit, best known for Moulin Rouge!, brings charisma and edge to Freddie, while Christopher's casting as Anatoly introduces a new layer of emotional depth and gravitas to the role.
Tickets and subscription packages are expected to go on sale in early summer, with full cast and creative team announcements to follow. Fans can sign up for alerts at www.ChessBroadway.com.
Originally published on classicalite.com
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