“Checkmate” on Broadway: Why CHESS Is Extending — and Why It Deserves To
When a Broadway revival announces an extension, it is rarely just about ticket sales. It is about momentum — critical, cultural and commercial — aligning in real time.
That is the position "CHESS" now occupies.
Producers of the first-ever Broadway revival of "CHESS" have announced a new block of tickets for performances through Sunday, June 14, 2026, extending the show’s run at the Imperial Theatre. The extension follows the musical’s official opening on November 16, 2025, and arrives amid a wave of critical response that has positioned the production as one of the defining theatrical events of the season.
The reaction from major publications has been emphatic.
“BEST OF THE YEAR!” – Entertainment Weekly
“Sizzling, sexy and ridiculously fun. CHESS IS THE BROADWAY SHOW OF THE SEASON.” – Chicago Tribune
“A rousing revival! It’s impossible to not fall under the spell of this powerhouse cast.” – USA Today
“Aaron Tveit, Lea Michele and Nicholas Christopher are off-the-charts incredible. SHOULD YOU GO BUY A TICKET RIGHT THIS MINUTE? YES, GOD, ABSOLUTELY!” – New York Magazine
“A TRIUMPHANT CHECKMATE! CHESS lands a decisive victory.” – People
Taken together, the notices suggest not just approval but enthusiasm — the kind of broad-based critical agreement that rarely accompanies revivals, particularly those as politically charged and structurally ambitious as "CHESS."
Long regarded as a cult title within the musical theater canon, "CHESS" has always defied easy categorization. Conceived during the Cold War and structured around the tension between global power and personal allegiance, the musical blends operatic scale with intimate emotional stakes. While its score — by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, with lyrics by Tim Rice — has lived a long life beyond the stage, the show itself has waited decades for a full Broadway reintroduction.
This revival arrives with a creative team and cast equipped to meet that ambition. The production stars Tony Award winner Aaron Tveit, Emmy Award nominee Lea Michele and Nicholas Christopher, supported by an expansive ensemble. The new book is by Danny Strong, with direction by Michael Mayer and choreography by Lorin Latarro, signaling an approach that prioritizes narrative clarity alongside theatrical force.
Design elements further underscore the scale of the enterprise. Scenic design by David Rockwell, lighting by Kevin Adams, and video design by Peter Nigrini place the musical within a visual language suited to its themes of surveillance, spectacle, and strategy — elements that feel newly resonant in a contemporary context.
The decision to extend is also notable given Broadway’s current landscape, which has favored familiar titles and brand recognition. "CHESS," while known, is not easy. It demands attention. It asks audiences to sit with political tension, emotional contradiction, and moral ambiguity. That critics and audiences alike are responding strongly enough to justify additional months on the calendar suggests an appetite for musicals that trust their viewers’ intelligence.
Tickets for the extended run are now on sale through Telecharge and at the Imperial Theatre box office, with $49 digital lottery and rush options available, subject to availability.
Extensions are earned, not granted. In the case of "CHESS," the board is still in play — and Broadway, it seems, is willing to keep watching the game unfold.
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