CHESS Sets June 21 Closing
Posted: 5/26/26 at 7:08pm
Abrupt but I think the longer they thought about it, they understood they couldn't make any money without Lea this Summer.
Stunning score, incredible cast, and Nicholas Christopher became a Broadway leading man. Congratulations to all.
Posted: 5/26/26 at 7:10pm
Long term sales for Lea M’s replacement must have looked bleak.
Really wish they could’ve filmed this… The last filmed version has such terrible audio which is a shame.
Posted: 5/26/26 at 7:11pm
34 previews and 249 regular performances.
Updated On: 5/26/26 at 07:11 PM
Posted: 5/26/26 at 7:11pm
Mega flop.
Posted: 5/26/26 at 7:12pm
Not a total shock considering the rapidly falling sales, but still, very sad for the many cast, crew and musicians involved.
As a Chess superfan, I *really* didn't care for the Danny Strong book. But hearing those songs performed so grandly was a thrill.
Looking forward to the next revival where Ivo van Hove trims it to 100 minutes, cast of ten set on a literal chessboard, ending with Florence viciously murdering the male leads all Nicole in Sunset and maniacally screams "CHECKMATE!" covered in stage blood. (Kidding, in theory.....)
Anyway, kudos to big swings and hopefully more projects to come for this cast esp. Nik Christopher.
Posted: 5/26/26 at 7:14pm
Sad to see it close early when they had a post Lea plan. Glad for Christopher to have his moment in the sun and to have caught it.
Not to be cold but I assume Dreamgirls is set to take over in the fall now ?
Posted: 5/26/26 at 7:15pm
Disappointed to see it closing early but not surprised. For what it's worth, I really enjoyed this revival, book included, but fully understand the polarizing responses to it.
Posted: 5/26/26 at 7:20pm
I don't know anyone who saw this announcement coming this week!
Posted: 5/26/26 at 7:23pm
RUkiddingme said: "I don't know anyone who saw this announcement coming this week!"
Apparently it was circulating on X because I saw a few posts implying an announcement was coming but it seems quick after DBH.
Posted: 5/26/26 at 7:25pm
blaxx said: "Mega flop."
Considering the original production ran for roughly a third of this production, they set out to do what they could and they did.
I am actually really vexed though because I thought Jojo was going to make a great Florence. The outlook must’ve been grim, but not so bad that it would fold once Lea left. Granted, I could imagine that the lack of awards buzz and the fact that both Nick and Aaron are going to be out for two weeks each during the summer (deservedly so) doesn’t help.
Posted: 5/26/26 at 7:25pm
RUkiddingme said: "I don't know anyone who saw this announcement coming this week!"
It was apparently being papered this past week, and not particularly successfully, from the discussion over on Reddit.
Posted: 5/26/26 at 7:25pm
blaxx said: "Mega flop."
Well they got a lot of my money, and they’re gonna get some more before it closes.
Posted: 5/26/26 at 7:26pm
theatergoer3 said: "Not to be cold but I assume Dreamgirls is set to take over in the fall now?"
I was just thinking the same thing.
Posted: 5/26/26 at 7:26pm
Poor JoJo! I would’ve gone back to see her.
Posted: 5/26/26 at 7:26pm
Sooooo Aaron… Moulin Rouge … when
kind of figured leas replacement wouldn’t sell
Posted: 5/26/26 at 7:32pm
Matt Rogers said: "blaxx said: "Mega flop."
Well they got a lot of my money, and they’re gonna get some more before it closes."
The investors won't get a penny of it, sadly.
Posted: 5/26/26 at 7:34pm
As I said a week or so back the first week after the announcement was made that Lea was leaving the box office started to drop and its never recovered.
I had multiple people tell me they saw posts on Facebook after the announcement saying it was sad Lea had LEFT, not leaving in June, gone in March. Once that sort of narrative gets out on regular people land they switch off.
I think announcing her departure three months out was a mistake.
Posted: 5/26/26 at 7:38pm
quizking101 said: "blaxx said: "Mega flop."
Considering the original production ran for roughly a third of this production, they set out to do what they could and they did.
I am actually really vexed though because I thought Jojo was going to make a great Florence. The outlook must’ve been grim, but not so bad that it would fold once Lea left. Granted, I could imagine that the lack of awards buzz and the fact that both Nick and Aaron are going to be out for two weeks each during the summer (deservedly so) doesn’t help."
Yes, I agree we are lucky we get these revivals where they are staged as a star-vehicle, as the material itself has not proven itself financially viable.
Who knows how many of these titles we will ever see in the future, the outcome looks bleak for musicals in general.
Posted: 5/26/26 at 7:41pm
WldKingdomHM said: "Sooooo Aaron… Moulin Rouge … when"
I was just thinking that if Just in Time continues after Jeremy Jordan's run ends, maybe Aaron Tveit could be the next Bobby Darin.
Posted: 5/26/26 at 7:43pm
blaxx said: "quizking101 said: "blaxx said: "Mega flop."
Considering the original production ran for roughly a third of this production, they set out to do what they could and they did.
I am actually really vexed though because I thought Jojo was going to make a great Florence. The outlook must’ve been grim, but not so bad that it would fold once Lea left. Granted, I could imagine that the lack of awards buzz and the fact that both Nick and Aaron are going to be out for two weeks each during the summer (deservedly so) doesn’t help."
Yes, I agree we are lucky we get these revivals where they are staged as a star-vehicle, as the material itself has not proven itself financially viable.
Who knows how many of these titles we will ever see in the future, the outcome looks bleak for musicals in general."
I do think the fact that both Nik and Aaron were taking overdue breaks on August, neither had more than a few days off during the run so far , probably played a role in the decision. two weeks off each is a lot with no Lea, and I mean no disrespect to JoJo when I say that but she's not as big a box office draw as Lea.
As for Nik, after this he will be booked and busy with whatever he chooses to do next and I have to say my favourite things to come of this production of Chess is his becoming a star and his friendship with Lea. They are a delight together.
Posted: 5/26/26 at 7:47pm
Jeffrey Karasarides said: "WldKingdomHM said: "Sooooo Aaron… Moulin Rouge … when"
I was just thinking that if Just in Time continues after Jeremy Jordan's run ends, maybe Aaron Tveit could be the next Bobby Darin."
Let’s give that poor boy’s voice a rest. His voice has been fried by this score.
I know it would never happen, but I wanted to eventually see Jordan Donica as Anatoly
Posted: 5/26/26 at 7:49pm
Personally I was surprised they thought JoJo would be a draw. Moulin Rouge at least had the name recognition, Chess' recognition is more infamous to begin with.
"Hey little girls, look at all the men in shiny shirts and no wives!" - Jackie Hoffman, Xanadu, 19 Feb 2008
Posted: 5/26/26 at 7:54pm
Jeffrey Karasarides said: "WldKingdomHM said: "Sooooo Aaron… Moulin Rouge … when"
I was just thinking that if Just in Time continues after Jeremy Jordan's run ends, maybe Aaron Tveit could be the next Bobby Darin."
In the unlikely event that the show lasts past Jeremy's contract, Tveit feels like too much of a lateral move as the fourth replacement. And I don't think he'd be meaningful enough.
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