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The performance of the new Broadway revival of the musical Chess, with stars like Lea Michele, Aaron Tveit, and Nicholas Christopher leading the way, has taken its official beginning. The production’s first-look photos were revealed exclusively by People Magazine, and this not only made the main actors the center of attention but also raised the expectations for the coming Tony Awards. The date of October 15 marked the starting point for the show’s previews, which is a significant theatrical event for the fall season.
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The competition is on, and the prize is huge. The revival of Chess, which was highly anticipated, has finally arrived, and it is accompanied by the first reactions. It would be hard not to consider such a talented cast with two of the biggest names in the industry, Lea Michele and Aaron Tveit, as one of the reasons for making this production one of the best debuts of the year. The exclusive images shared by People Magazine offer quite an interesting perspective on the world of political and romantic intrigues during the time of an international chess tournament.
For those who are not very familiar with it, Chess is a musical with a glorious and complicated past. The beat for the musical was composed by ABBA’s Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, while Tim Rice wrote the lyrics. The musical first played in London’s West End in 1986. The journey to Broadway was bumpy, and over the years, many different productions have had a hard time dealing with the show’s notoriously weak book that brought the story down. The current revival seems to be promising a new vision and the director along with the long-trusted creative team will finally really see the show’s potential all along, which has been its fabulous score.
The audience response at the first previews was nothing less than amazing. ‘I loved it so much – what strong performances,’ was the comment of one viewer. This was the general opinion of the people present and it looks like the production has managed to make the most of the tremendous talent of its leads.
There were almost immediate comments on Lea Michele’s acting, with a number of individuals declaring that she should be given an award for her performance right from the start. One person stated, ‘Dear Tony voters, just give Lea Michele the Tony award already,’ the sentiment being echoed by comments from several others. Another admirer had a very peculiar way of demonstrating his appreciation, saying, ‘I get goosebumps every time I see Lea on stage. It feels like the sun is coming out for the first time after a long, rainy day.’ Such high praises are indicative of the strong connection Michele has established with her audience since her Glee days and her previous critically acclaimed run in Funny shorty.
In contrast, Aaron Tveit, a Broadway icon already, was also part of the spotlight, only this time for different reasons. One comment simply stated, ‘Aaron is so hot it’s ridiculous,’ indicating that his appeal is not exclusive to his singing. The shared enthusiasm was so massive that another user declared, ‘Need to hear Anthem like I need air to breathe,’ referring to one of the musical’s most famous and challenging numbers.
Still, not all the feedback was purely celebratory. One person raised a practical issue, saying, ‘If only they’d lower those insane ticket prices.’ This comment is a reference to the ongoing debate about the issue of accessibility in modern Broadway theatre, where high-priced tickets can often mean that many potential viewers are unable to present for live shows. Another user expressed a combination of nervousness and excitement by making the following comment to a person who had already watched the show, ‘How is the new book? Want to go but worried!!’ This indicates the keen awareness of the audience that the musical still has its narrative challenges and the hope that this production has really cracked the code that has been the problem all along.
In the midst of the torrent of gratitude, a fan took the chance to, very directly and extensively, although, in a fake way, request Lea Michele for an Irish international tour in 2026. The impassioned message, adorned with numerous flag emojis, not only reflects the global appeal of the artistes but also the great desire of the overseas audience to see them live.
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There is no way not to notice the buzz surrounding this production. The talks go from casting to critical questions about the changed script. Even though the cast will continue developing the show during the previews till the official opening, the first audience verdict is: it has to be seen. The difficult score that is much-loved and three stars giving it their all have made it a significant occasion at the Broadway. The stage is set, and the signs point to a success.
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