Broadway revival of Chess will close earlier than planned.
According to the report of Varietypublished on Tuesday, May 26, the show will see the curtains fall on June 21 when its star, Lea Micheleit was confirmed that it leaves the product.
The news comes after the Cold War musical, which premiered in London's West End in May 1986, failed to be nominated for the 2026 Tony Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical despite widespread praise directed at Michele, 39.
The upset came amid a production that attracted five 2026 Tony Award nominees in other categories: Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role for Michele's costar. Nicholas ChristopherCareer, Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role Bryce PinkhamCareer, Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role Hannah CruzWork, Best Orchestrations and Best Lighting Design for Music.
The first edition of the Chess Michele had to be replaced Joanna “Jojo” Levesque in the role of Florence Vassy as production continued until “at least September,” according to the outlet.
It also noted that Chess “He has struggled to maintain momentum, with attendance dropping to around 70% in recent weeks.” Michele's best expenses Aaron Tveit it was dropped again in May when the 2026 Tony Awards nominations were announced.
Chess producers Tom Hulce again Robert Ahrensand The Shubert Organization, Broadway's oldest theater company, shared a statement on the closing of the show and store. “Seeing long-time fans and first-time audiences alike embrace this production wholeheartedly has been a huge reward for everyone involved and a powerful reminder of why Chess it has endured for so many years,” reads the statement.” “To deliver Chess Returning to Broadway for the first time in nearly 40 years has been a great honor, and we are very proud of all this production has accomplished during its historic Broadway run.”
Michele spoke to him Us Weekly July 2025 about playing on Chessher sixth Broadway show, while raising a young family. The actress shares two children with her husband Zandy Reich: son Ever, 5, and daughter Emery, 21 months.
“I'm always learning and growing and asking the moms around me, the working moms, for advice, like, 'How do you do this?' and, 'How do you balance them all?'” the Glee alum told Us at that time. “[I’m] I really try to prepare my family as much as I can so that I can be close to my work and be as present as possible when I'm at home with my family, and be as present as possible when I'm at work.”
He continued, “It's not about perfection, it's about being there. That's what I try to remember as much as possible.”
