Broadway Revival of Chess to Star Aaron Tveit and Lea Michele

NEW YORK, NY — The long-awaited Broadway revival of the iconic musical Chess is set to open in fall 2025, featuring a star-studded cast including Tony Award winner Aaron Tveit, Emmy nominee Lea Michele, and Nicholas Christopher.

The announcement was made on May 28, 2025. Tveit will portray Freddie Trumper, while Michele steps into the role of Florence Vassy, and Christopher plays Anatoly Sergievsky. The premiere date and specific theater location will be revealed later.

Chess, originally created by ABBA’s Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus in collaboration with lyricist Tim Rice, first graced Broadway in 1988 but saw a tumultuous run, closing after just two months due to mixed reviews.

Set against the backdrop of the Cold War, the musical tells the story of a chess tournament between American and Soviet grandmasters. It explores the romantic entanglements and political tensions that arise, particularly focusing on Florence, who finds herself torn between Trumper and Sergievsky.

Michele, known for her role in the TV series Glee and her acclaimed performance as Fanny Brice in the 2022 revival of Funny Girl, marks her return to the stage with this production. Tveit and Christopher have also built impressive Broadway resumes.

The revival is directed by Michael Mayer, who previously collaborated with Michele on Spring Awakening. Emmy Award winner Danny Strong, known for Dopesick, is writing a new book for the show, while Lorin Latarro will handle choreography.

The original production’s music achieved commercial success, with the hit “One Night in Bangkok” reaching No. 3 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 in 1985.

Despite its rocky start on Broadway, Chess gained a loyal fanbase and has been revived in various formats worldwide. The anticipation for this upcoming revival is high, as fans eagerly await more details on casting and dates.

As excitement builds, interested viewers can stay updated by checking New York Theatre Guide for ticket information.