CHESS Sets June 21 Closing- Page 2
CHESS Sets June 21 Closing
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/20/18
CHESS Sets June 21 Closing#25
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.
CHESS Sets June 21 Closing#26
Posted: 5/26/26 at 7:58pm
Eh, never underestimate the feverish fandom that is the Tveitor Tots
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/20/18
CHESS Sets June 21 Closing#27
Posted: 5/26/26 at 8:09pm
Count me among those who would have liked to see it with Jojo. I had a good time. Thank god Nick Christopher finally got his moment.
Am I crazy to think that this could have road potential? An 80s rock show that can advertise "from the creators of MAMMA MIA and THE LION KING" could mean something to local markets and subscriptions. Especially if they throw a C-level pop star or someone from The Voice in there to help with press in local markets.
Worklight has a bunch of money in CHESS, and their upcoming TOMMY tour could be a proof of concept: non-Eq but has a mix of one-nighters, split-weeks, and 1-3 week engagements in bigger markets.
CHESS Sets June 21 Closing#28
Posted: 5/26/26 at 8:14pm
If this is the last production of CHESS we’ll ever see on Broadway, at least this one placed the fantastic score front and center.
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/15/03
CHESS Sets June 21 Closing#29
Posted: 5/26/26 at 8:22pm
Now if they can just find a producer to bring Christopher's Jelly's Last Jam to Broadway it would solidify his new leading man status.
CHESS Sets June 21 Closing#30
Posted: 5/26/26 at 8:23pm
According to social media, this was actually supposed to be Jojo’s first day of rehearsal. That’s gotta sting 
CHESS Sets June 21 Closing#31
Posted: 5/26/26 at 8:42pm
Huss417 said: "Now if they can just find a producer to bring Christopher's Jelly's Last Jam to Broadway it would solidify his new leading man status."
The Encores production that has most deserved to transfer. Christopher would’ve won in most years (2024 had Groff otherwise I think he could’ve won that year too.)
CHESS Sets June 21 Closing#32
Posted: 5/26/26 at 8:47pm
ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "Count me among those who would have liked to see it with Jojo. I had a good time. Thank god Nick Christopher finally got his moment.
Am I crazyto think that this could have road potential? An 80s rock show that can advertise "from the creators of MAMMA MIA and THE LION KING" could mean something to local markets and subscriptions. Especially if they throw a C-level pop star or someone from The Voice in there to help with press in local markets.
Worklight has a bunch of money in CHESS, and their upcomingTOMMY tour could be a proof of concept:non-Eq but hasa mix of one-nighters, split-weeks, and 1-3 week engagements in bigger markets."
Michael, Lea, Nik and Aaron did a presentation at the Spring Road Conference last week so it seems like the plan.
CHESS Sets June 21 Closing#33
Posted: 5/26/26 at 8:57pm
How Key Is Lea Michele to ‘Chess’? It Will Close When She Leaves.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/26/theater/broadway-chess-closing-lea-michele.html?unlocked_article_code=1.llA.rCTu.RBxzByowAw64&smid=nytcore-android-share
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/20/13
CHESS Sets June 21 Closing#34
Posted: 5/26/26 at 9:19pm
She was the draw for the majority of audiences, and for very good reason. Aaron sounded incredible when I saw him last week so his voice is not "fried" in any capacity. He can easily slide into Moulin Rouge if he wants, they have always welcomed him back. Over and over again.
Understudy Joined: 12/13/10
CHESS Sets June 21 Closing#35
Posted: 5/26/26 at 9:20pm
That Times article is generous to Lea. She was clearly a massive part of Chess's early success, but the wheels came off months ago with her still in the cast. Any replacement star has to sell not just to new audiences but to returning ones too, and that's a huge ask for a mid-tier title.
Updated On: 5/26/26 at 09:20 PM
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/20/18
CHESS Sets June 21 Closing#36
Posted: 5/26/26 at 9:22pm
It's easy to point fingers in hindsight, but I think the producers deserve a good deal of blame for this show's failure. It was really badly marketed, and they probably made some other bad strategy decisions along the way. Even with the reviews and overall quality of the show, this probably should have been able to last through the summer.
Rob Ahrens may have decent luck when he is Tom Kirdahy's #2 and GM, but not when he is #2 to Tom Hulce. And the word on Hulce has always been that he's a sweetie pie of a man but leans heavily on whoever his producing partner is.
CHESS Sets June 21 Closing#37
Posted: 5/26/26 at 9:25pm
Is WORKING GIRL transferring? Maybe they pulled the plug because Jojo is no longer available.
CHESS Sets June 21 Closing#38
Posted: 5/26/26 at 9:30pm
inlovewithjerryherman said: "Is WORKING GIRL transferring? Maybe they pulled the plug because Jojo is no longer available."
I really hope so…maybe that could go into the Majestic
CHESS Sets June 21 Closing#39
Posted: 5/26/26 at 9:32pm
inlovewithjerryherman said: "Is WORKING GIRL transferring? Maybe they pulled the plug because Jojo is no longer available."
I doubt it, most musicals that have had recent regional premieres have decided to avoid Broadway like the plague. Understandably so.
However, I could see WORKING GIRL playing the Laura Pels after Christopher Ashley’s own THE HEART closes.
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/20/18
CHESS Sets June 21 Closing#40
Posted: 5/26/26 at 9:37pm
inlovewithjerryherman said: "Is WORKING GIRL transferring? Maybe they pulled the plug because Jojo is no longer available."
She still was posting about CHESS on socials on Sunday, and according to the post above was supposed to begin rehearsing today.
It doesn't look that good that she was being touted as the new star and now they've decided she's not enough of a draw, 2 months after announcing her. New musicals vs revivals vs replacements are all different beasts, but I wouldn't be too thrilled if I were the WORKING GIRL producers.
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/7/12
CHESS Sets June 21 Closing#41
Posted: 5/26/26 at 9:38pm
inlovewithjerryherman said: "Is WORKING GIRL transferring? Maybe they pulled the plug because Jojo is no longer available."
Based on her Instagram comment, I don’t see this being the case.
CHESS Sets June 21 Closing#42
Posted: 5/26/26 at 10:07pm
steven22 said: "Poor JoJo! I would’ve gone back to see her."
Presumably she'll get some sort of payout, right? I can't imagine the deal was "we'll use your name to sell tickets, but if it doesn't work, then go **** yourself."
CHESS Sets June 21 Closing#44
Posted: 5/26/26 at 10:20pm
malcs98 said: "inlovewithjerryherman said: "Is WORKING GIRL transferring? Maybe they pulled the plug because Jojo is no longer available."
I really hope so…maybe that could go into the Majestic"
Working Girl going to the Majestic feels like as good an idea as Beaches going there (not saying it's as bad a show as Beaches but I think it would really struggle to fill that space).
I definitely think Tveit will go back to Moulin Rouge before it closes. And then I think the Just in Time guess is not a bad one...
CHESS Sets June 21 Closing#45
Posted: 5/26/26 at 10:26pm
This closing took me by surprise. I already had plans to see Chess again before this was posted.
Have they announced a Che for Evita? Perhaps a role for Nicholas Christopher?
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/28/05
CHESS Sets June 21 Closing#46
Posted: 5/26/26 at 10:29pm
DottieD'Luscia said: "Have they announced a Che for Evita? Perhaps a role for Nicholas Christopher?"
It will be Rodriguez. Would be shocked if Lloyd fires him to cast someone like Nicholas Christopher who is a completely different type
CHESS Sets June 21 Closing#47
Posted: 5/26/26 at 10:37pm
@Blaxx. Thanks for the info.
CHESS Sets June 21 Closing#48
Posted: 5/26/26 at 10:39pm
I don’t think there’s any world in which any production of Chess is going to be a hit without some kind of major A-list celebrity casting. Despite some bangers in the score, it is a convoluted, messy show. It will live on in cast albums and theater fan dreams.
CHESS Sets June 21 Closing#49
Posted: 5/26/26 at 11:28pm
EDSOSLO858 said: "doubt it, most musicals that have had recent regional premieres have decided to avoid Broadway like the plague. Understandably so.
I think it’s safe to assume that we are seeing the slow demise of the Broadway musical as we know it…wouldn’t be surprised if we get another mass closure that rivals January 2009 and leaves broadway houses vacant for long stretches of time
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