When a musical dares to mix high-stakes psychological warfare, three knockout stars and a score written by the pop gods of ABBA, don’t walk into the theater expecting restraint. Expect voltage. Expect heat. Expect Broadway at its best.
And Broadway's Chess delivers.
Whether you are a seasoned theatergoer or someone looking for a night out that deals in sophistication and a spectacular show, this new staging of Chess, directed by Michael Mayer with a new book by Danny Strong, knows how to pull you in. The cast alone makes attendance feel inevitable. Aaron Tveit, Lea Michele and Nicholas Christopher bring a charge that reads throughout the house, and the production itself builds an energy that feels sharp, focused and unmistakably compelling. If you feel a little FOMO to see it before everyone else does, you’re not alone. Here are five reasons to get those tickets now.
The score of Chess, created by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus—the two guys from ABBA—with lyrics by Tim Rice, is created with the same energy and pop confidence that keep the world obsessed with songs like ‘Dancing Queen’ and ‘Waterloo.’ And when the show drops into ‘One Night in Bangkok,’ ‘Nobody’s Side’ or ‘Anthem,’ the audience shifts. It’s that ABBA sweet spot, but with iconic pop energy meeting full Broadway power.
Chess comes armed with Broadway royalty and then doubles down on presence, charisma and sheer vocal firepower. Lea Michele brings precision, range and her signature star wattage. Aaron Tveit steps in with total command, combining star presence with confidence, charisma and energy that hit every time he’s on stage. Nicholas Christopher rounds out the trio, meeting his co-stars with a standout turn so powerful and moving that it’s guaranteed to stick in the cultural memory for years to come. Together they generate a chemistry that feels alive and, appropriately, slightly dangerous. Whether trading barbs or blending in harmony, the air feels charged.
Choreographer Lorin Latarro takes the show’s strategic heart and translates it into movement that feels sleek, intentional and athletic. Her use of the 16-member ensemble feels like a clever nod to the 16 pieces on each side of a chess match as they shift in and out of formation with a precision that keeps you immersed in both the world of chess movement and the U.S./Soviet Union friction. You feel the tension before you understand it.
Everything builds toward the Act 2 showcase, ‘One Night in Bangkok,’ which explodes with a different dance vocabulary. The number has swagger, humor and a wardrobe that confidently leans skin-forward. It feels like a release valve for the entire show. The ensemble handles it with charm, heat and an ease that reflects real craft. It’s one of those rare musical moments that you don’t want to end.
Chess is a story of ambition, rivalry and blurred loyalties. It taps into themes we all recognize: pressure, politics, public personas and the cost of becoming the people others expect us to be. The world changes, but these tensions don’t, and that’s why the show lands with so many people.
Chess doesn’t feel like just another entry on a Broadway season calendar. It has star power, musical pedigree, scale and buzz that give it the charge of an event. It’s lush, unpredictable and alive in all the right ways. Some shows are built to be watched. This one is built to be experienced.
Tickets for Chess are available now. Secure your seats and see why it has become one of Broadway’s hottest nights out.