THEATRE REVIEW: "Chess" at the Imperial Theatre (New York, NY)

      On April 22nd, 2026 I saw the matinee performance of the Broadway Musical Revival "Chess" at the Imperial Theatre in New York City.  "Chess" features lyrics by Tim Rice; and Music by Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson.  This revival of "Chess" features a new book by Danny Strong.  Richard Nelson wrote the book for the Original 1988 Broadway Production; Tim Rice wrote the Book for the 1986 London Production.  The 1990 National Tour, and 1990 Chicagoland Production (in Lincolnshire, IL), utilized Richard Nelson's book, eventhough the Original Broadway Production closed after a couple months, while the Original London Production ran for about three years.  While Danny Strong made significant changes to "Chess," all versions of the musical use the game of chess to symbolize the Cold War.







     At the performance of "Chess" that I saw, the cast included Aaron Tveit (Freddie Trumper), Lea Michele (Florence Vassy), Nicholas Christopher (Anatoly Sergievsky), Hannah Cruz (Svetlana Sergievsky), Bradley Dean (Alexander Molokov), Sean Allan Krill (Walter de Courcey), Bryce Pinkham (The Arbiter), and Sean MacLaughlin (Vladimir Viigand).  As far as I know, the only principle cast members I'd seen in a show before are Nicholas Christopher and Sean McLaughlin.  In 2023, I saw Nicholas Christopher as Pirelli in the Broadway Revival of "Sweeney Todd."  In 2014, I saw him as Smokey Robinson in the National Tour of "Motown the Musical."  I saw Sean MacLaughlin as Juan Perón in the 2013 National Tour of "Evita" (which also features lyrics by Tim Rice).







     The scenic designer for this production of "Chess" was David Rockwell.  He was also the scenic designer for "A Beautiful Noise" and the Lincoln Center Revival of "Falsettos."  I saw both of those shows, but left during intermission of "Falsettos."  I thought of leaving "Chess" during intermission too.  I was enjoying the show, but I wasn't sure if it was worth staying until the end.  However, the songs "One Night in Bangkok" and "I Know Him So Well" (my favorite songs from "Chess") are both performed in Act Two, so I decided to stay for the entire show.








     This was not my first time seeing a show at the Imperial Theatre.  I saw "Water for Elephants" there in 2024 and "Les Misérables" there in 2016.  The Imperial Theatre was designed by Herbert J. Krapp (not the most fortunate name) and opened in December of 1923.  The venue features Adam-style (an 18th Century neoclassical style) detailing and a white terracotta facade.  The Original Broadway Production of "Chess" also played at the Imperial Theatre.  Not only that, but Lea Michele made her Broadway debut at the Imperial Theatre in the 1990's as young Cosette in the Original Broadway Production of "Les Misérables."








     The less-is-more scenic design of this production of "Chess" reminded me of a concert more than a full-scale production.  This wasn't necessarily a bad thing.  The orchestra was positioned on stage for the entire show, and the ensemble cast members were on stage for much of the show also.  Speaking of which, the ensemble cast members included Kyla Bartholomeusz, Daniel Beeman, Shavey Brown, Adam Halpin, Aliah James, Sydney Jones, David Paul Kidder, Sarah Meahl, Ramone Nelson, Michael Olaribigbe, Katerina Papacostas, Aleksandr Ivan Pevec, Samantha Pollino,Regine Sophia, and Katie Webber.  From principal cast members to the ensemble, everyone in the show gave it their all.  "Chess" is by no means the best show out there, but the acting and singing was top-notch. 








     Since the revival of "Chess" opened last year, I've wanted to see it.  We'll, I've technically wanted to see "Chess" since listening to the 1984 Concept Album over a decade ago.  I'm thrilled to have finally gotten to see it.  Even with a book that has been revised for the better, "Chess" is a musical with its share of flaws, so I don't see it being revived again anytime soon.  Because of that, I recommend this production.  It's enjoyable despite its flaws. 









     With that being said, it sort of felt like the creators of "Chess" didn't know how to end the show (even with the revised book).  There were the classic Act Two showstoppers which would have been perfect times for the show to end.  But, alas, it just kept going.  Even so, "Chess" had been one of my "bucket list" musicals, much like "Cats" had been at one time.  Now that I have seen "Chess," I don't really need to see it again.  However, I think it's safe to say that this is the best incarnation of the musical in a very long time, if not ever.  The 1986 London Production of "Chess" might have given this version a run for its money.  If both productions played eachother in a game of chess, I wonder who would win... 











   




     

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