Category: News

Go Behind the Scenes of Chess Rehearsals on Broadway

Posted on by blackbroadway

The cast and creative team behind Broadway’s upcoming revival of Chess are deep in rehearsals, preparing to bring the cult-favorite musical to the Main Stem for the very first time. Take a look inside the rehearsal room with Aaron Tveit, Lea Michele, Nicholas Christopher, and more in the gallery below.

Previews begin October 15 at the Imperial Theatre, with opening night set for November 16. The limited engagement is scheduled through March 15, 2026.

Nicholas Christopher leads the production as Anatoly Sergievsky, joined by Tony winner Aaron Tveit as Freddie Trumper, Lea Michele as Florence Vassey, Hannah Cruz (Suffs) as Svetlana, Bradley Dean (The Phantom of the Opera) as Molokov, Sean Allan Krill (Jagged Little Pill) as Walter, and Bryce Pinkham (Holiday Inn) as The Arbiter.

The ensemble features Kyla Louise Bartholomeusz, Daniel Beeman, Shavey Brown, Emma Degerstedt, Casey Garvin, Adam Halpin, 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, Regine Sophia, and Katie Webber.

With music by ABBA’s Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus and lyrics by Tim Rice, the revival will feature a new book by Emmy winner Danny Strong (Hunger Games: Mockingjay). The production is helmed by director Michael Mayer (Spring Awakening) and choreographer Lorin Latarro (Waitress), with Brian Usifer as music supervisor.

The creative team also includes scenic designer David Rockwell, costume designer Tom Broecker, lighting designer Kevin Adams, sound designer John Shivers, video designer Peter Nigrini, associate director Johanna McKeon, and associate choreographer Travis Waldschmidt.

Based on an idea by Rice and originally featuring a book by Richard Nelson, Chess centers on an American and a Russian chess champion who face off during the Cold War—while also competing for the same woman.

Lea Michele recently shared with Playbill that Strong’s new book “has brought the heart across. He’s really straightened our characters’ storyline and aligned the music with the story really well.” Aaron Tveit added, “We hope that amidst the great music and humor and love story, there’s going to be a little bit of thought that takes place from the audience that sees the show.”

Chess originated as a 1984 concept album, which featured hits like “I Know Him So Well” and “One Night in Bangkok.” The recording became an international success, topping charts and earning acclaim for its score. The subsequent stage productions in London (1986) and on Broadway (1988) received mixed-to-poor reviews, though both were praised for their music. Despite its short Broadway run, Chess has built a loyal following over the decades through recordings, revivals, and concert stagings, including a 2008 London concert starring Josh Groban, Idina Menzel, Adam Pascal, and Kerry Ellis.

This new Broadway revival is produced by Tom Hulce, Robert Ahrens, and The Shubert Organization, in association with Creative Partners Productions, and presented by arrangement with Three Knights and Robert Fox Ltd.

Watch the cheering crowds welcome Leslie Odom Jr. back to Broadway’s Hamilton.

Posted on by blackbroadway

Leslie Odom, Jr., a Tony-winning original cast member of the Tony and Pulitzer Prize-winning musical Hamilton, made a triumphant return to the Broadway company on September 9. The audience in the theater was filled with excitement and anticipation.

In the video below, watch Odom, Jr., who won the 2016 Tony Award for his portrayal of Aaron Burr in the Lin-Manuel Miranda musical, take his first bow at the Richard Rodgers Theatre. His limited return engagement as Burr is scheduled until November 26.

Odom, Jr.’s most recent Broadway performance was in a Tony-nominated role in the 2023 revival of Purlie Victorious: A Non-Confederate Romp Through the Cotton Patch. Since his breakout role in Hamilton, the actor has appeared in various television shows and films, including The Good Wife, Murder on the Orient Express, One Dollar, Only, Love in the Time of Corona, Central Park, Abbott Elementary, The Many Saints of Newark, and an Oscar-nominated performance in One Night in Miami. Additionally, Odom, Jr. hosted The Tony Awards Present: Broadway’s Back on CBS.

Odom, Jr.’s return coincides with the musical’s 10th Broadway anniversary. Earlier this month, the Emmy-winning filmed version of the musical, which also features Odom, Jr., was released in theaters.

In an earlier statement, Odom, Jr. expressed his deep sense of meaning and gratitude for returning to Hamilton. He emphasized the significance of stepping back into the theater, especially during this anniversary moment, and revisiting the brilliant piece that has had a profound impact on his life and the lives of many others.

“When I saw Leslie perform ‘The Room Where It Happens’ at the first act two workshop of Hamilton, I knew I was witnessing a historic moment. How lucky we are that Leslie is returning to Hamilton and bringing his indelible Burr back to Broadway,” added Hamilton lead producer Jeffrey Seller.

The Broadway company of Hamilton currently features Trey Curtis as Alexander Hamilton, Morgan Anita Wood as Eliza Hamilton, Stephanie Umoh as Angelica Schuyler, Tamar Greene as George Washington, Bryson Bruce as Marquis de Lafayette/Thomas Jefferson), Ebrin R. Stanley as Hercules Mulligan/James Madison, David Guzman as John Laurens/Philip Hamilton, Cherry Torres as Peggy Schuyler/Maria Reynolds, and Jarrod Spector as King George III.

The musical—with a book and score by Miranda—explores the life of American Founding Father Alexander Hamilton. Inspired by the book “Alexander Hamilton” by Ron Chernow, the musical incorporates historical figures such as George Washington, Aaron Burr, James Madison, and Thomas Jefferson.

Every Actor Who’s Played Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr in Hamilton on Broadway

Hamilton also has direction by Thomas Kail, choreography by Andy Blankenbuehler, musical supervision and orchestrations by Alex Lacamoire, scenic design by David Korins, costume design by Paul Tazewell, lighting design by Howell Binkley, sound design by Nevin Steinberg, hair and wig design by Charles G. LaPointe, casting by The Telsey Office’s Bethany Knox, and general management by Baseline Theatrical.

Hamilton, which continues at Broadway’s Richard Rodgers Theatre, won 11 2016 Tony Awards, including Best Musical. The musical officially opened August 6, 2015, following previews that began July 13. It is also the recipient of the 2016 Pulitzer Prize for Drama.

The musical is produced by Jeffrey Seller, Sander Jacobs, Jill Furman, and The Public Theater.