Podcast Summary: "Will CHESS Finally Be a Hit on Broadway? | Musical Revival Starring Lea Michele Announced for 2025"

Podcast Information:

• Title: MickeyJoTheatre
• Host: MickeyJoTheatre (Mickey Jo)
• Episode Title: Will CHESS Finally Be a Hit on Broadway? | Musical Revival Starring Lea Michele Announced for 2025
• Release Date: May 29, 2025
• Description: Mickey-Jo reviews the latest theatre shows globally, sharing insights, news, and interviews with over 60,000 subscribers.

Introduction

Mickey Jo kicks off the episode with enthusiasm about finally addressing a highly anticipated topic: the Broadway revival of the musical Chess. Opening with a personal touch, he acknowledges the anticipation from his audience, stating:

"Shout out to the person in the comments section who was about to type the words, I was waiting for you to make this video. Well, guess what? You were right. I have." [00:00]

He sets the stage by revealing that Chess is returning to Broadway after several decades, generating excitement among theatre enthusiasts.

History of Chess as a Musical

Mickey provides a comprehensive overview of Chess, highlighting its origins and evolution:

• Creators: Music by Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson of ABBA; lyrics by Sir Tim Rice.
• Premiere: Debuted in the West End before transferring to Broadway in the mid-1980s.
• Plot: Centers around Cold War tensions depicted through the Chess World Championships between American Freddy Trumper and Soviet Anatoly Sergeyevsky, viewed through the lens of Florence Vassi's romantic entanglements.

He elaborates on the original and Broadway productions, noting significant changes and mixed critical receptions:

"The Broadway production was actually considerably less successful, closing within its first year and getting largely critically panned, including by the New York Times, Frank Rich said that it had the theatrical consistency of quicksand." [Transcript Segment]

Mickey shares his personal experiences attending various productions of Chess, emphasizing his admiration for the score and the creative interpretations of different stagings.

Announcement of the Broadway Revival

The core of the episode focuses on the newly announced Broadway revival scheduled for fall 2025. Key details include:

• Cast:
  • Aaron Tveit as Freddie Trumper
  • Lea Michele as Florence Vassi
  • Nicholas Christopher as Anatoly Sergeyevsky

Mickey expresses excitement about the casting choices, highlighting the strengths each actor brings to their roles:

"Lea Michele is going to sound fantastic singing this score as well... I'm excited about it." [Transcript Segment]

He anticipates further casting announcements, particularly for the role of Svetlana, speculating that Solea Pfeiffer might be a strong contender based on her vocal prowess and previous performances.

"The rumored name I had been hearing... was Solea Pfeiffer for the role of Svetlana, which is something I would really appreciate because she is another sensational vocalist." [Transcript Segment]

Creative Team and Production Details

Mickey delves into the creative minds behind the revival:

• Director: Michael Mayer, known for his work on Funny Girl, Spring Awakening, and a previous production of Chess at the Kennedy Center.
• Choreography: Lauren Lotaro
• Music Supervision: Brian Youssefer
• Book: Rewritten by Danny Strong

He discusses the implications of having experienced and visionary professionals at the helm:

"Michael Mayer directing this production of Chess, which I think is encouraging, is intriguing to me." [Transcript Segment]

Mickey also touches upon the potential theatre venues, speculating on possible locations like the Majestic Theater, Broadhurst, or Schubert Theatre, based on current Broadway dynamics and venue availability.

Speculation and Theories

Mickey shares his theories regarding the production's direction and potential success:

• Storyline Adjustments: Emphasizes the importance of a restructured storyline to address past shortcomings.
• Casting Dynamics: Highlights the trio of Tveit, Michele, and Christopher, questioning how Solea Pfeiffer and other roles will integrate into the narrative.
• Thematic Relevance: Notes the timely nature of Chess's Cold War themes in the context of modern geopolitical tensions.

He maintains a balance between optimism and cautious anticipation:

"I think Chess is an underappreciated show. It has all of the right ingredients... The challenge is in reconciling all of these elements." [Transcript Segment]

Tony Award Eligibility and Expectations

Addressing the competitive landscape, Mickey discusses Chess's potential nomination for Tony Awards:

• Eligibility: The revival is eligible for awards alongside other productions like the revival of Ragtime.
• Lea Michele's Nomination: Highlights that Michele will be eligible for a Tony Award for Best Leading Actress in a Musical, a first in some time.

"Lea Michele is going to be eligible for a Tony Award for Best Leading Actress in a musical for the first time in a long time..." [Transcript Segment]

Mickey expresses hope for critical success and possible redemption for Chess:

"I really do hope that they can redeem Chess and it can get what people have been calling the Merrily we roll along treatment..." [Transcript Segment]

Host's Personal Insights and Reservations

While generally optimistic, Mickey shares his reservations and areas of curiosity:

• Lea Michele's Portrayal: Uncertainty about how Michele will embody Florence Vassi compared to previous British interpretations.

  "I am still intrigued about how Leah is going to approach this as an actress and as really the central character of this revival." [Transcript Segment]

• Direction and Choreography: Questions how much the production will lean towards naturalistic storytelling versus high-concept staging, especially with Lauren Lotaro's choreography.

• Venue Selection: Speculates on potential theatres, considering current Broadway programming and venue availability.

Conclusion and Future Coverage

Mickey wraps up by reiterating his excitement and plans to review the production personally:

"I will certainly be trying to plan a trip to head back to New York later this year to see this show as soon as I can." [Transcript Segment]

He encourages listeners to stay tuned for more updates and to engage with his content:

"Make sure you're subscribed right here on YouTube... or go follow me on podcast platforms." [Transcript Segment]

Mickey also promotes an upcoming documentary on Chess by Wait in the Wings, encouraging listeners to explore the musical's rich history further.

Key Quotes:

• Introduction and Excitement:

  "Shout out to the person in the comments section who was about to type the words, I was waiting for you to make this video. Well, guess what? You were right. I have." [00:00]

• On the Broadway Revival's Potential:

  "I think Chess is an underappreciated show. It has all of the right ingredients... The challenge is in reconciling all of these elements." [Transcript Segment]

• On Lea Michele's Role:

  "Lea Michele is going to sound fantastic singing this score as well... I'm excited about it." [Transcript Segment]

• Tony Award Hopes:

  "Lea Michele is going to be eligible for a Tony Award for Best Leading Actress in a musical for the first time in a long time..." [Transcript Segment]

Final Thoughts

Mickey Jo delivers a thorough and passionate analysis of the upcoming Chess Broadway revival, blending historical context with current developments. His balanced perspective highlights both the potential triumphs and challenges the production may face. For theatre aficionados and casual listeners alike, this episode offers valuable insights into what could be a significant moment for a beloved musical.

Note: This summary is based on the transcript provided and reflects the views and analyses presented by Mickey Jo in the podcast episode released on May 29, 2025.