‘Chess’ Will Close With Lea Michele’s Departure, in a Change of Plans

Key Points:

• Lea Michele's involvement in Broadway shows like "Funny Girl" and the current revival of "Chess" has significantly boosted ticket sales, but both productions have chosen to close after her departure.
• Initially, "Chess" was set to continue with Joanna Levesque (JoJo) replacing Michele, running until at least September 13, but producers reversed this plan, announcing the show will close after Michele's final performance on June 21.
• Despite Michele's impact on box office performance, "Chess" has experienced declining grosses, dropping below $1 million weekly in recent times, reflecting broader economic challenges facing Broadway musicals due to rising costs.
• The current "Chess" revival, featuring a new book by Danny Strong and directed by Michael Mayer, received mixed reviews and no Tony nomination for best musical revival, though it earned five other nominations.
• The closure of "Chess" aligns with a trend of Broadway musicals facing financial difficulties, with recent closures including "Death Becomes Her," "The Queen of Versailles," and "Beaches," while even successful shows like "Moulin Rouge! The Musical" plan to end their runs.