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Broadway 'Chess' Revival Draws Raves for Vocals, Critiques for Story

Critics celebrate powerhouse singing and a beloved score, as a reworked book with an emcee-style Arbiter proves contentious.

Overview

  • The first Broadway revival opened Nov. 16 at the Imperial Theatre after Oct. 15 previews and is scheduled to run through May 3, 2026.
  • Lea Michele, Aaron Tveit and Nicholas Christopher lead Michael Mayer’s production, featuring the Andersson–Ulvaeus score with Tim Rice lyrics and a new book by Danny Strong.
  • Reviewers consistently praise the vocal firepower and showstoppers such as Anthem, Pity the Child, Nobody’s Side and I Know Him So Well.
  • Many critiques target narrative clarity, a concert-style presentation with the orchestra onstage, and an expanded Arbiter who delivers topical jokes and heavy exposition.
  • Some outlets call the staging entertaining retro spectacle with standout work from Hannah Cruz, while notes of a revised structure include an updated ending without plot specifics.