Lea Michele Sets Departure Date in CHESS

Broadway

Lea Michele in Chess | Photo: Matthew Murphy

By
Emily Wyrwa
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on
March 20, 2026 10:00 AM
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News

There’s going to be a new queen at the Imperial this summer. Lea Michele will depart Chess on Sunday June 21. The new Florence Vassy will be announced at a later date. A new block of tickets will go on sale next week.

Michele made her Broadway debut at the Imperial Theatre 30 years ago in Les Miserables. Since then, she has become a household name for her performance as Rachel Berry on Glee, and took Broadway by storm as Fanny Brice in Funny Girl. 

In Chess, she stars alongside Tony Award winner Aaron Tveit, and Nicholas Christopher. Chess also features Hannah Cruz, Tony Award nominee Bryce Pinkham, Bradley Dean, Tony Award nominee Sean Allan Krill and an ensemble that includes Kyla Bartholomeusz, Daniel Beeman, Shavey Brown, Emma Degerstedt, Casey Garvin, Adam Halpin, David Paul Kidder, Sarah Michele Lindsey, Michael Milkanin, Aleksandr Ivan Pevec, Aliah James, Sydney Jones, Sean MacLaughlin, Sarah Meahl, Ramone Nelson, Fredric Rodriguez Odgaard, Michael Olaribigbe, Katerina Papacostas, Samantha Pollino, Adam Roberts, Regine Sophia, and Katie Webber.

Chess features a new book by Emmy Award winner Danny Strong, with music and lyrics by Emmy and Tony Award nominees ABBA’s Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus and Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony Award winner Tim Rice. It is based on an idea by Tim Rice. The production, which is the first Broadway revival of Chess, is directed by Tony Award winner Michael Mayer and choreographed by Drama Desk Award nominee Lorin Latarro with original orchestrations by Anders Eljas, orchestrations by Anders Eljas and Brian Usifer, and music supervision by Brian Usifer.

Chess features scenic design by Tony Award winner David Rockwell, costume design by Tom Broecker, lighting design by four-time Tony Award winner Kevin Adams, sound design by John Shivers and video design by Tony Award nominee Peter Nigrini. Johanna McKeon serves as Associate Director, Travis Waldschmidt serves as Associate Choreographer and Music Direction is by Ian Weinberger. Casting is by Jim Carnahan C.S.A. and Jason Thinger C.S.A. Hair, Wig and Makeup Design are by Luc Verschueren for Campbell Young Associates.

Chess runs at the Imperial Theatre on West 45th Street in New York City. For tickets and more information, visit here.

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Emily Wyrwa

Emily Wyrwa is originally (and proudly) from New Jersey and studies at Boston University College of Communication. She previously worked for the Boston Globe where she interviewed Ethan Slater about miming rather than "Wicked." She's a pizza snob, loves classic rock, and spends most of her spare time with her camera in hand exploring new neighborhoods. She can be spotted via the "Shucked" keychain on her bag!

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Broadway
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