Lea Michele Joins Broadway Revival of Chess

Lea Michele is returning to Broadway this fall in a highly anticipated revival of the cult favorite musical Chess. Starring alongside Aaron Tveit as American chess champion Freddie Trumper and Nicholas Christopher as Russian player Anatoly Sergievsky, Michele will take on the role of Florence Vassy in a production directed by Michael Mayer with a newly revised book by Danny Strong.

The musical, first conceived in the 1980s with music by ABBA’s Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus and lyrics by Tim Rice, has long been celebrated for its blend of pop, rock, and classic Broadway styles. For Michele, who recently completed her acclaimed run as Fanny Brice in Funny Girl, stepping into Chess represents both a continuation of her Broadway journey and a fresh artistic challenge.

Michele has described her connection to the material as serendipitous, tracing it back to her early Broadway debut in Les Misérables at the Imperial Theatre—the same venue where Chess had its first Broadway run and where it will now return. Over the years, she encountered the score through colleagues and recordings, gradually developing a personal link to the show that made Florence feel like a role waiting for her.

The character of Florence has evolved since the musical’s original concept album in 1984. Songs such as “Someone Else’s Story,” which Michele now performs, were originally written for other characters before becoming integral to Florence’s arc in the 1988 Broadway production. The revival emphasizes Florence’s strength, intelligence, and vulnerability as she navigates a world dominated by male players, balancing professional authority with deeply personal stakes.

Michele spent the summer working closely with her castmates and creative team to refine the material and develop a modern interpretation of Florence. With Chess demanding a wide range of vocal styles—from pop-rock to classic musical theatre—the role draws on Michele’s years of vocal versatility, honed on both stage and screen.

Performances of Chess begin at the Imperial Theatre on October 15, with an official opening set for November 16.

Photo Credit: DepositPhotos.com