Who are the lead actors in the Chess revival?
Lea Michele, Aaron Tveit, and Nicholas Christopher.
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ARTICLE DETAIL
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Theater / Broadway
Lea Michele, Aaron Tveit, and Nicholas Christopher to Star in Broadway Revival of Chess
The musical Chess is returning to Broadway with a star-studded cast including Lea Michele, Aaron Tveit, and Nicholas Christopher. This revival features a new book by Danny Strong and is directed by Michael Mayer.
Key Insights
- Lea Michele (Funny Girl), Aaron Tveit (Moulin Rouge!), and Nicholas Christopher (Sweeney Todd) will lead the cast.
- The revival will feature a new book by Danny Strong, known for his work on Empire and The Butler.
- Michael Mayer (Spring Awakening) directs, with choreography by Lorin Latarro and music supervision by Brian Usifer.
- Chess was originally a concept album in 1984 and had a West End run before a short-lived Broadway production in 1988.
- **Why this matters:** This revival brings a reworked version of a cult classic musical to a new audience, potentially reigniting interest in the Cold War-era story and its iconic score by ABBA's Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, along with Tim Rice.
In-Depth Analysis
Chess tells the story of a Cold War-era chess tournament between an American and a Soviet player. The original Broadway production in 1988 was significantly different from the West End version and only ran for two months. This revival aims to present a more cohesive and engaging narrative with Danny Strong's new book.
The production is seeking Equity Stage Managers for the Broadway production. The base weekly salary for stage manager roles will range between a minimum of $2,861.0 per week (which equals an annualized base salary of $148,772) and a maximum of $3,725 per week (which equals an annualized base salary of $193,700).
The first rehearsal is scheduled for Fall 2025, with the opening also in Fall 2025 at a Broadway Theatre TBA.
FAQ
Who wrote the new book for the revival?
Danny Strong.
Who is directing the Chess revival?
Michael Mayer.
When does the revival open?
Fall 2025.
Takeaways
- The Chess revival offers a fresh take on a musical with a complex history, featuring a new book and a talented cast.
- Fans of Lea Michele, Aaron Tveit, and Nicholas Christopher have a new show to look forward to.
- Stage Managers looking for employment can submit their resume and cover letter for consideration with Chess Champion LLC.
Discussion
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