"Cast was amazing, story was timely for today even though it was from the 20th century cold war era. I think it might have been a tad too long but that did not take away from the enjoyment of all the performances of the impact of the story. The 3 leads were broadway stars at their finest. "
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Broadway.com Customer on Nov 7, 2025
Fun and exciting
"The singers were phenomenal. Their talent unbelievable. Dancing and use of lighting was very enjoyable. Good story.
An enjoyable time. "
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Broadway.com Customer on Nov 6, 2025
Hot Digitty
"I went into this show knowing the title, Aaron Tveit, and Lea Michelle. I came out of this show having laughed, cried, and nearly falling out of my dang chair. The vocals are insane, the choreography is dazzling, and the unique take on the arbiter’s performance allowed for great comic relief! "
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Marie R from Sandy Hook on Nov 5, 2025
Super acting; thin story
"Outstanding star quality . Outstanding vocals . Favorite.. ANTHEM that ended first act. The narrator was an outstanding new edition to the show that kept it moving through added levity.
The story line is and has always been thin but that’s the breaks and not the fault of the actors .
Spectacular orchestration.
Thank you for an enjoyable evening."
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John P from Mays Landing on Nov 2, 2025
Great musical with a hint of humor.
"Fantastic cast, great dancing; the music was great and the singing amazing. "
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Tom I from Derby on Nov 2, 2025
Fun musical
"Loved the music and choreography. The three stars were incredibly talented. My adult daughter and I loved the show! "
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Broadway.com Customer on Nov 1, 2025
Amazing soundtrack!
"The music of Chess has lived its own successful life for so long! Great to see it wrapped back into a show with super talented leads.
Only thing I didn’t like were winks to the audience about current events, only a few times, but temporarily broke the magic spell of the show. "
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Broadway.com Customer on Oct 31, 2025
Chess is a Masterpiece!
"I loved everything about the show. Although the "book" was updated, I still found it confusing. The main story was clear. It was the details of the cold war that confused us, due to the lack of background information about that time period. The play was a masterpiece in spite of this."
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Broadway.com Customer on Oct 30, 2025
A history lesson with music
"A great score and an updated script help to elevate this story of cold war politics. Aaron and Michelle are predictably wonderful, but the standout is really Nicholas Christopher who sings the show stopping number at the end of the first act."
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Broadway.com Customer on Oct 29, 2025
Checkmate: Chess Returns to Broadway in Triumphant Form
"Chess has long been my favorite elusive musical — one I’ve somehow missed every time it’s been stage. After years of anticipation, Chess has finally made its long-awaited return to Broadway — and it was worth the wait.
This revival captures the emotional intensity and soaring score that have made the musical a cult favorite, while giving the book the thoughtful facelift it desperately needed. The use of the Arbiter as the narrator is brlliant and helps the storyline move almost fluidly.
The principal performers are exceptional. Both Nicholas Christopher (Anatoly) and Bradley Dean (Molokov) deliver powerhouse performances that bring new depth to their complex characters. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Tony nominations in both their futures.
Aaron Tveit was the perfect choice for Freddie Trumper. His voice is stellar, and his stage presence commands attention. His “One Night in Bangkok” was electric, but it was his heart-wrenching rendition of “Pity the Child” that was worth the price of admission alone.
This was also my first opportunity to see Lea Michele on stage, and she did not disappoint. Her presence brings new life to this role, blending power and vulnerability in a way that feels effortless. With her return to Broadway, I hope her devoted Glee fans come experience her brilliance.
The stage design, casting, and refreshed book all deserve accolades, this is clearly a thoughtful and ambitious production. Still, there are a few elements I hope evolve after the preview period. The extended dialogue and first bedroom scene feel a bit too long, and Svetlana’s solo number comes across as unnecessary and forced.
While I do miss the cut songs from previous productions, I can listen to those albums anytime. Overall, this Chess revival proves that with the right vision (Danny Strong for the win!) and a bit of modern refinement can a classic can feel both timeless and freshly relevant.
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Karen Elizabeth K from Louisville on Oct 19, 2025
Worth a Watch
"The three leads -- Michele, Christopher and Tveit -- were phenomenal, of course. And I loved Bryce Pinkham as the the cheeky and topical narrator/arbiter. His updated role made the plot easier to follow than I remember from the 80s version. But it still fell apart a little bit. The metaphors are heavy handed. The surprise introduction of a new character in the 2nd act still doesn't work well. And while the music is wonderful, it will never be sing along material like many Broadway shows. It was good to see, but not one I would see again."
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Broadway.com Customer on Jan 25, 2026
Great music & orchestra
"Hard to believe a musical around a chess match could be made but it was done very well. The music was excellent. The orchestra being on the main stage was fantastic. Lea Michelle was amazing. Was well acted out; doesn’t create emotions like Ragtime for example but was excellent entertainment. "
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Duane S from Calgary on Jan 7, 2026
The Music Is Worth It . . . Kinda, Sorta
"See the review in Variety. It’s spot on! Great individual performances by the leads but the plot - if you can call it that - is unwieldy and at times absurd. The outcome of a chess match determines if we go to war with Russia? Ridiculous. It’s also too long and repetitive. But if you are, like me, a fan of the score, it’s fun to hear the tunes again. Just don’t wrack your brain trying to figure out the “plot.”"
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Broadway.com Customer on Jan 7, 2026
Excellent performances
"The actors (leads and ensemble) were phenomenal. The book was okay - act 2 was definitely slow at times. But it was still a great show. "
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Broadway.com Customer on Dec 24, 2025
Excellent musical theater!
"Outstanding production!!! Must see musical theater!
Interesting that the Director, Michael Mayer, seemed to stage it like a Greek tragedy. Checked all the boxes of one and I thought it was a brilliant modern interpretation actually. You must see how well it worked despite the fact that I’m never a fan of the minimalistic set trend on modern broadway revivals of late that is a tenant of Greek tragedies. Really leaves out the sense of place that helps draw you into the moment. Just a bench or a couple of chairs surrounded by neon… in EVERY SCENE!? ;) No bueno really.
Katerina Papacostas, understudy for LM, crushed it! Her voice is stunning and you can tell she took the opportunity to genuinely put it all out there on the stage and we loved her!
A a ron Tveit! What can we say, he is broadway royalty and Elicia and I take every opportunity to see his performances where ever he goes!
Nicholas Christopher is one crazy tenor! He clearly has the best singing performances of the night! And alongside Tviet and Papacostas really saying something!!
Another worthy call out was the choreography of Lorin Latarro! This was all from the chorus ensemble, who were on stage for 90% of the show, blending beautiful voices, movements, and bodies in delightful ways that was fun to watch at all times.
Bryce Pinkam, the narrator, was really great, his energy infectious and kept the show moving well with his quirky and clever commentary at every turn of the narrative. He may have stole the show with his performance.
Lastly, The Orchestra was incorporated on stage into the minimal set which reminded me of the Hollywood Squares but they were excellent, sounded great, and also fun to watch throughout.
Definitely go see this production for the impressive singing and dancing alone! They could skip all the dialogue. ;)"
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Jonathan G from Woodcliff Lake on Dec 15, 2025
Mixed
"I overall enjoyed the show. I felt the first half was a bit slow, and it was sometimes difficult to follow the song lyrics.
The second half’s energy was much better although it was still hard to follow lyrics of some key songs
The singing was beautiful overall but the show still needs some tightening up
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Stephen M from Westport on Nov 1, 2025
Too long and dark
"We had great seats in the Mezzanine and really enjoyed how the orchestra was positioned for the show. The narrator was excellent and very funny. The musical performances were good, but there wasn't enough dancing. I thought the play was too long and could have been done in less time. It was a very monochromatic set which left us sleepy at the end of Act 1. "
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Broadway.com Customer on Jan 21, 2026
Incredible 5plus star voices but plot is confusing.
"Bought tickets for the chance to see and hear the 3 major actors, two of which I have admired for years and was delighted to add another great talent ( Christopher) to my must see again list .They were marvelous and audience was gasping in disbelief at the extent of their vocals. The plot was difficult to follow and staging, costumes and choreography were secondary to the vocal talents. All of the supporting cast were at a 4 to 5 star level. "
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Broadway.com Customer on Jan 12, 2026
just ok
"I want to start off saying that the talent in cast was spectacular. The premise was interesting, but a little dated due to the era. What I absolutely hate is that political jabs had to be thrown in throughout the show. I watch plays to get away from politics. Seems like almost every show I see lately has to put a political (one sided) spin on everything. Why can't we just enjoy an old fashion play? It was a bit much with the cursing too."
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Broadway.com Customer on Jan 8, 2026
Vocally superb but visually lacking
"Loved the vocal performances of all leads particularly Anatoly and Florence-flawless but there was no emotional connection between them. Svetlana beautiful but failed when her accent was absent in her vocals. Saw the original and disappointed with the sterile set and lack of colors. One night in Saigon was pale and visually dull. Choreography smart and well done. Orchestra balanced and great to see on stage."
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Andrea Z from Brielle on Jan 7, 2026
Amazing singers in overly long and loud play
"Lead actors are very talented but show was far too long, too loud, repetitive and too much anger and vitriol throughout. "
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Broadway.com Customer on Jan 4, 2026
Great music and performances
"The three leads and Bryce Pinkham are terrific. The orchestra was often too loud making lyrics hard to follow especially when the chorus sang. The second act seemed a little long."
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Broadway.com Customer on Nov 27, 2025
Not about the game of Chess.
"Fun, lively and engaging. Great performances. Timely. The narrator kept things going. "
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Broadway.com Customer on Nov 24, 2025
A little hard to follow
"The singers were fantastic as I expected them to be. The storyline was a little slow in act one. Act two definitely picked up."
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Broadway.com Customer on Nov 9, 2025
Good music, bad book
"The plot connecting Soviet/American relationships to a game of chess is clever but not realized. Maybe if you know about chess you would appreciate it more. The ABBA/Rice music and performances are good. But it is too long and bogged down by a narrator who seems to be apologizing for the production and inserting irrelevant contemporary references. "
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Broadway.com Customer on Nov 7, 2025
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About
Chess
Chess is the iconic musical where power and passion collide, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. It’s America versus Russia at the World Chess Championship, where the espionage and romance are as complicated and exhilarating as the game itself. For the two players and the woman torn between them, everything—personal, professional, and political—is at risk… and nobody’s rules are the same.
