CHESS (2025 Broadway Revival) Reviews- Page 12

[Mary_Poppins]

Posted: 3/19/26 at 3:35pm

For those who missed it:

The WNYC live stream is archived as a normal Youtube video at https://youtu.be/j7Omk8MaNgg?t=358

You can skip the first 6 minutes, which the link automatically does for you.

[uncageg]

Posted: 3/19/26 at 4:04pm

Mary_Poppins said: "Regarding the preferences for different versions of Nobody's Side, I suspect it's the Imprinting Effect again, i.e. people often prefer the version they heard first or grew up with. When someone prefers the Elaine Paige version, that leaves scratching my head because i just don't understand the appeal of it. Julia Murney's feels more real and expressive, but in musicals the 'rawness' can become a distraction. There are like a dozen other versions out there but the ones I listened to weren't really outstanding.

So for me it's a draw between Lea and Judy. Quite different but equally good."

For me, it is not an "imprinting Effect". The original is just the one I prefer the most. There have been MANY original versions of songs that I have heard and love but ended up listening to or liking the remake more. Again, we are all different and it is our personal matter of preference. It's fine that YOU don't understand the appeal of it but a lot of other people do. 

 

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 3/20/26 at 10:09am

Lea Michele to depart June 21

[theatergoer3]

Posted: 3/20/26 at 10:22am

Curious to see who fills the role. She was good and sings the hell out of it but I wouldn’t mind seeing it again with a new Florence. 

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 3/20/26 at 10:23am

WiCkEDrOcKS said: "Lea Michele to depart June 21"

Good for this show for at least trying to continue without her. 

Josh Groban for Anatoly when he finishes his tour?

[Theatrefanboy1]

Posted: 3/20/26 at 10:33am

theatergoer3 said: "Curious to see who fills the role. She was goodandsings the hell out of it but I wouldn’t mind seeing it again with a new Florence."

I'm curious as well, and if there intend is to pick up some Tonys and run it just through Sept or run with continuous extensions. I had heard when I visited a month ago that it would only marked for a year and something else was coming in Fall 2026.  I really wonder if they'd go for a mid level pop star like, it's quite difficult in my mind to replace Lea, she is vocally so good in the role.

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 3/20/26 at 10:44am

How far is the show from recoupment? 

[WldKingdomHM]

Posted: 3/20/26 at 10:56am

Lena Hall come onnnnnnnn

[Observation]

Posted: 3/20/26 at 10:59am

Julie Benko? 

[raddersons]

Posted: 3/20/26 at 11:12am

WldKingdomHM said: "Lena Hall come onnnnnnnn"

I’d lose my MINDDDDD for this

[Melissa25]

Posted: 3/20/26 at 11:13am

Come on, let’s go Bareilles!!!!!! 

[Zeppie2022]

Posted: 3/20/26 at 11:45am

Melissa25 said: "Come on, let’s go Bareilles!!!!!!"

I believe she is busy writing her new show.

 

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 3/20/26 at 11:57am

Lena Hall was VERY over the top with riffs and vocal gymnastics during the 2022 benefit concert at the Broadhurst (as was Solea). If she is the replacement, I hope she tones it down.

It'll be interesting to see if this sells at all without Lea Michele.

[MadsonMelo]

Posted: 3/20/26 at 12:06pm

Unless they have a really REALLY good replacement, this show won't likely survive without Lea.

I'm seeing this on May 6, how's the trio attendance?

[ACL2006]

Posted: 3/20/26 at 12:10pm

Probably just an extension through the summer. I'll say this likely closes by then.

[quizking101]

Posted: 3/20/26 at 12:13pm

Something tells me there is a secondary game here. Announce Lea’s departure, drive up sales, she gets awards recognition (noms/win), brief extension - kinda like how SUNSET did with Nicole.

Lea has improved but her phrasing still bothers me. Lena Hall would be a great replacement. I’m honestly looking forward to whoever replaces Aaron because he just does not do it for me, no matter how many times I see it. His understudies are actual rock tenors and I felt like I finally heard “Pity The Child” the right way when Adam Halpin was on. (My friend said the same for Aleks Pevec). If Casey Likes was 10 years older, I would peg him for Freddie without hesitation.

Knowing Nick and the awards buzz around him, I would bet he rides out the entire run. If he does depart though, Jordan Donica or Cameron Loyal would be absolutely perfect. 

[goodtimes123]

Posted: 3/20/26 at 12:23pm

Lea is campaigning HARD for that Tony.

[JSquared2]

Posted: 3/20/26 at 2:31pm

While Nicholas Christopher may very well get a (deserved) nomination, there's no way he is winning.  This year the race is going to be between Joshua Henry (the likely winner) and Sam Tutty (the possible upset). Nick doesn't come close to touching either of them.

 

[GirlFromOz68]

Posted: 3/20/26 at 4:05pm

A bit stunned by this. I thought Lea would see out the year. The fact that she isn't suggests she has something lined up and I think I know what it is, and this time not a revival. 

[Jarethan]

Posted: 3/20/26 at 4:16pm

goodtimes123 said: "Lea is campaigning HARD for that Tony."

In what way?

[Ball of Buttah]

Posted: 3/20/26 at 4:37pm

GirlFromOz68 said: "A bit stunned by this. I thought Lea would see out the year. The fact that she isn't suggests she has something lined up and I think I know what it is, and this time not a revival."

Girl, spill...what you thinking?

I'm a little surprised, too, but I think the fact that she's also a producer means she's not really "done" with the musical. Any follow-up success she'll be able to get credit for still. Though, I hope they don't pull a Darren Criss with her coming back in 2-3 months to really close the show. That would suck for folks dishing out mega bucks around June 21st. Kinda glad I'll be in Cali for family vaca so I'm not tempted to make another visit. 

My replacement guess is Jojo. She came to the see the show and raved about it. A gigantic get would be Kelly Clarkson, but the prices would get ridiculous. 

[GirlFromOz68]

Posted: 3/20/26 at 5:13pm

Ball of Buttah said: "GirlFromOz68 said: "A bit stunned by this. I thought Lea would see out the year. The fact that she isn't suggests she has something lined up and I think I know what it is, and this time not a revival."

Girl, spill...what you thinking?

I'm a little surprised, too, but I think the fact that she's also a producer means she's not really "done" with the musical. Any follow-up success she'll be able to get credit for still. Though, I hope they don't pull a Darren Criss with her coming back in 2-3 months to really close the show. That would suck for folks dishing out mega bucks around June 21st. Kinda glad I'll be in Cali for family vaca so I'm not tempted to make another visit.

My replacement guess is Jojo. She came to the see the show and raved about it. A gigantic get would be Kelly Clarkson, but the prices would get ridiculous."

There were rumours back in either 2023 or 2024, that Lea had done a workshop for the new musical Begin Again.   Fast forward to last November,  just before opening night of Chess, an announcement that Begin Again was to be having a pre Broadway run at the Globe Theatre in San Diego for 5 weeks in September/October.

Early in the Chess run, Lorin Lotarro, Chess choreographer but also director of Begin Again, posted a pic on IG of Pat Monahan from Train,  who is doing the music for Begin Again, with Lea post a preview performance and they looked friendly not just random meeting.

The timing of Lea's departure fits. Have a couple of months off in the summer with her family before going into rehearsal for Begin Again in late August,  5 week run of the show in San Diego and if it goes well come into Broadway for the 26/27 season. 

it could be something else but this fits and i can't see Lea leaving Chess unless she had something else lined up.

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 3/20/26 at 5:22pm

Ball of Buttah said: "A gigantic get would be Kelly Clarkson, but the prices would get ridiculous."

Apparently Kelly is also being hotly pursued by the folx at & JULIET, who have re-engaged and are progressing a bit in talks with her agents. They're trying a lot harder to reel her in now that their weekly grosses are bleak.

If their notice comes in the next 1-3 months as is being rumored, she could be their "close on a high" acquisition, their own emphatic answer to Megan Thee Stallion.

[GirlFromOz68]

Posted: 3/20/26 at 5:59pm

also does Lea's departure increase the chances of Dreamgirls taking over the Imperial later in the year as the rumours say they want to?

[clgswff]

Posted: 3/20/26 at 7:36pm

Jarethan said: "goodtimes123 said: "Lea is campaigning HARD for that Tony."

In what way?"

Maybe they think her leaving is a gimmick or some sorts?  Otherwise she is doing normal press like always.