MULTI-PLATINUM SINGER JOANNA "JOJO" LEVESQUE
WILL STAR IN BROADWAY’S CHESS
BEGINNING TUESDAY, JUNE 23, 2026
NEW BLOCK OF TICKETS NOW ON SALE
THROUGH SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2026
AT BROADWAY’S IMPERIAL THEATRE
“A MASTERFUL PRODUCTION! With a new book by Danny Strong and the precise direction of Michael Mayer, CHESS is reclaiming the board. THE CAST SINGS THE ROOF OFF THE PLACE!” – Vogue
"THE WINNER TAKES IT ALL! They don't make musicals like they used to. Who knew CHESS could get you so high? I HAD A GREAT TIME." – New York Magazine
“CHESS is packed with blow-your-hair-back bangers. Prepare to succumb!”
– The Washington Post
“A TRIUMPHANT CHECKMATE! CHESS lands a decisive victory.” – People
(New York, NY) Producers Tom Hulce, Robert Ahrens and The Shubert Organization along with Creative Partners Productions are thrilled to announce that multi-platinum singer, songwriter and actress Joanna "JoJo" Levesque (Moulin Rouge) will return to Broadway as “Florence Vassy” alongside Tony Award winner Aaron Tveit and Nicholas Christopher in the record-breaking new production of CHESS beginning Tuesday, June 23, 2026 at Broadway’s Imperial Theatre (249 West 45th Street). A new block of tickets is now on sale through Sunday, September 13, 2026, marking the third extension for the first-ever Broadway revival of CHESS.
Joanna "JoJo" Levesque first rose to fame with the hits “Leave (Get Out)” and “Too Little Too Late,” becoming the youngest solo artist to top the Billboard Mainstream Top 40. Blending pop, R&B, and soul, she has continued evolving with acclaimed releases including Mad Love. and Good to Know, and won a 2020 Grammy for “Say So” with PJ Morton. She has also appeared on Broadway in Moulin Rouge! The Musical and originated the role of Tess in Working Girl at La Jolla Playhouse. JoJo has sold over 8 million albums worldwide, amassed more than 1 billion streams, and became a New York Times bestselling author in 2024 with her acclaimed memoir Over the Influence.
CHESS currently stars Tony Award winner Aaron Tveit, Emmy Award nominee Lea Michele (through Sunday, June 21, 2026) and Nicholas Christopher and features Hannah Cruz, Tony Award nominee Bryce Pinkham, Bradley Dean, Tony Award nominee Sean Allan Krill and an ensemble that includes Kyla Bartholomeusz, Daniel Beeman, Shavey Brown, Emma Degerstedt, Casey Garvin, Adam Halpin, David Paul Kidder, 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, Adam Roberts, Regine Sophia and Katie Webber.
Featuring a new book by Emmy Award winner Danny Strong (“Dopesick”), with music and lyrics by Emmy and Tony Award nominees ABBA’s Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus and Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony Award winner Tim Rice (Evita), based on an idea by Tim Rice, this new production is directed by Tony Award winner Michael Mayer (Spring Awakening) and choreographed by Drama Desk Award nominee Lorin Latarro (Waitress) with original orchestrations by Anders Eljas, orchestrations by Anders Eljas and Brian Usifer (Swept Away) and music supervision by Brian Usifer.
CHESS features scenic design by Tony Award winner David Rockwell (She Loves Me), costume design by Tom Broecker (Call Me Izzy), lighting design by four-time Tony Award winner Kevin Adams (Hedwig and the Angry Inch), sound design by John Shivers (Kinky Boots) and video design by Tony Award nominee Peter Nigrini (Hell’s Kitchen). Johanna McKeon (Funny Girl) serves as Associate Director, Travis Waldschmidt (Hello, Dolly!) serves as Associate Choreographer and Music Direction is by Ian Weinberger (Hamilton). Casting is by Jim Carnahan C.S.A. and Jason Thinger C.S.A. Hair, Wig and Makeup Design are by Luc Verschueren for Campbell Young Associates.
CHESS is produced by Tom Hulce, Robert Ahrens and The Shubert Organization along with Creative Partners Productions and co-produced by Mary Maggio, Nederlander Presentations Inc., Stephen & Nancy Gabriel, Carl Moellenberg, Danny Strong, Benny Andersson, Tim Rice, Björn Ulvaeus, Ludvig Andersson, Robert Fox, Lea Michele, Scott Abrams, 2 On The Aisle, The Broadway Investor’s Club, Ruth Hendel, John Gore Organization, Michael Mayer & Stark Sands, Judith Ann Abrams & Peter May, James Bolosh & Hillary Wyatt, Ira Pittelman, Kate Cannova, Jamie DeRoy, Chema’s Checkmates, Bradford & Melissa Coolidge, Jonathan Farkas, Jeffrey Finn, Willette & Manny Klausner, Kors Le Pere Theatricals, Lang Entertainment Group, Maestro Invest, Stephanie P. McClelland, No Guarantees Productions, Ostar Adam Riemer, Vivek J. Tiwary, Tom Tuft, Lee / Schild, Bijoux / Glass, Byrnes Lamon, Davault Braun, Dickinson / Federman, Kolson / Prisand, Mo Maxi, Nabatoff / Kamler, Trichter / Fink, Burkhardt Stern, and O’Connor / YSSM. CHESS is presented by arrangement with Three Knights, the Shubert Organization and Robert Fox Ltd.
CHESS is a seductive showdown of love, loyalty, and power on a global stage. As two of the greatest chess players in the world compete for something beyond victory, the woman between them is caught in a high-stakes battle of desire and devotion.