‘Chess’ Review: A Broadway-Musical Blunder

Dow Jones Arts & CultureMonday, November 17, 2025 at 4:00:00 AM
‘Chess’ Review: A Broadway-Musical Blunder
  • The Broadway musical 'Chess', led by Lea Michele, Aaron Tveit, and Nicholas Christopher, has faced backlash for its ineffective revival of the 1980s original, failing to engage audiences with its themes of a board game, love triangle, and the Cold War.
  • This development is significant as it highlights the challenges of reviving classic musicals in a contemporary context, where expectations for innovation and relevance are high. The negative reception may impact the careers of the lead actors and the production team involved.
  • Despite the absence of related articles, the themes of love and conflict in 'Chess' echo broader trends in musical theater, where revivals often struggle to meet the legacy of their predecessors.
— via World Pulse Now AI Editorial System

Was this article worth reading? Share it

Recommended Readings
‘Chess’ Review: Lea Michele Reigns as Queen of This Uneven Broadway Revival
PositiveEntertainment
The Broadway revival of 'Chess,' featuring music and lyrics by Benny Andersson, Björn Ulvaeus, and Tim Rice, has received a review highlighting Lea Michele's performance as a standout. The production, set against the backdrop of the Cold War chess rivalry, tells the story of American player Freddie Trumper and Russian player Anatoly Sergievsky. The revival includes a revised book by Danny Strong, aiming to bring a fresh perspective to the classic musical.