Broadway Revival of 'Chess' to Close Early Following Declining Grosses

The Broadway revival of the musical 'Chess' is set to conclude its run on June 21, ending significantly earlier than its original September schedule. Despite an initial surge in popularity driven by the star power of Lea Michele, the production has struggled to maintain momentum. The decision to close comes despite the show securing five Tony Award nominations, including recognition for cast members Nicholas Christopher, Bryce Pinkham, and Hannah Cruz.

The production, which features a revised book by Danny Strong and a score by ABBA’s Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, has faced a challenging financial trajectory since its November 2025 opening. After reaching a peak gross of $2 million during the Thanksgiving holiday, weekly earnings have steadily declined, recently dipping below $900,000 with theater capacity hovering around 70 percent. The absence of a 'Best Revival of a Musical' nomination and the lack of individual recognition for Michele—who served as a primary box-office draw—likely influenced the producers' decision to shutter the show rather than proceed with the planned cast transition to Joanna “JoJo” Levesque.

This early closure highlights the volatile nature of Broadway economics, where even high-profile revivals with star-studded casts can struggle to sustain long-term profitability amidst mixed critical reception. While the production team expressed pride in their reimagining of the Cold War-era classic, the financial data suggests that the show failed to secure the consistent audience demand necessary to justify an extended run at the Imperial Theatre. The closure serves as a reminder of the industry's reliance on awards-season momentum and the difficulty of maintaining commercial viability once the initial buzz surrounding a lead performer fades.