Broadway Musical Home

A new musical with original music from ABBA about events during the Cold War.

Story:

The story of an American chess champion, his Russian opponent who defects to the west, and a Hungarian born American who transfers her affections from the American to the Russian.

Theatre
249 West 45th Street
New York, NY

Info and Directions

Schedule

MONDAY: Dark

TUESDAY: 7 PM

WEDNESDAY: 2 & 7:30 PM

THURSDAY: 7 PM

FRIDAY: 7 PM

SATURDAY: 2 & 7:30 PM

SUNDAY: 3 PM

Important Dates
PREVIEWS: October 15, 2025
OPENING: November 16, 2025

Run Time
2 hours and 40 minutes (1 Intermission)

Rush and Lottery Tickets
LOTTERY: Online, $49
RUSH: Box Office, $49

NOTE:

Most shows have special holiday dates and times. Check the official website for more information.
Lea Michele will not perform on December 14 or 16, January 23, February 18 through 22, April 1 through 5 or April 11. Aaron Tveit will not perform January 27, February 24, March 17 through 19 or April 28. Nicholas Christopher will not perform December 3 at 7:30pm. Other appearances may vary.
Children under the age of 4 are not permitted.

: Composer
Benny Andersson

: Composer
Bjorn Ulvaeus

: Lyricist and Librettist
Tim Rice

: Librettist
Richard Nelson

: 2025 Version Librettist
Danny Strong

Broadway Premiere

Theatre: Imperial Theatre

Opening Night: Apr 28, 1988

Total Performances: 68

Original Cast: Judy Kuhn, David Carroll, Philip Casnoff, Dennis Parlato, Marcia Mitzman, Paul Harman, Harry Goz, Ann Crumb

Director: Trevor Nunn

Choreographer: Lynne Taylor-Corbett

Musical Director: Paul Bogaev

Orchestrations: Anders Eljas

Scenic Design: Robin Wagner

Costume Design: Theoni V. Aldredge

Lighting Design: David Hersey

2003 Broadway Revival

Theatre: New Amsterdam Theatre

Opening Night: Sep 22, 2003

Total Performances: 1

Original Cast: Josh Groban, Julia Murney, Adam Pascal, Jonathan Dokuchitz, Raúl Esparza, Sutton Foster, Norm Lewis

Director: Peter Flynn

Choreographer: Christopher Gattelli

Musical Director: Seth Rudetsky

Orchestrations: Jesse C. Vargas

Scenic Design: Paul Weimer

Lighting Design: Jeff Croiter

2025 Broadway Revival

Theatre: Imperial Theatre

Opening Night: November 16, 2025

Original Cast: Aaron Tveit, Lea Michele, Nicholas Christopher, Hannah Cruz, Bradley Dean, Sean Allan Krill, Bryce Pinkham

Director: Michael Mayer

Choreographer: Lorin Latarro

Producer: Tom Hulce, Robert Ahrens, The Shubert Organization, Creative Partners Productions

Musical Director: Ian Weinberger

Orchestrations: Andres Eljas and Brian Usifer

Scenic Design: David Rockwell

Costume Design: Tom Broecker

Lighting Design: Kevin Adams

Sound Design: John Shivers

Video Design: Peter Nigrini

2009 Film Version

Movie Name: Chess in Concert

Type: Filmed Live on Stage

Director: Hugh Wooldridge

Starring: Josh Groban, Idina Menzel, Adam Pascal

Musical Numbers

Merano

Diplomat

The Russian and Molokov

Where I Want to Be

Quartet (A Model of Decorum and Tranquility)

The American and Florence

Nobody's Side

Chess

Mountain Duet

Embassy Lament

Anthem

Bangkok

One Night In Bangkok

Heaven Help My Heart

I Know Him So Well

Merchandizers

The Deal (No Deal)

Pity the Child

Endgame

You and I

The Story of Chess

How Many Women

Chess Hymn

You Want to Lose Your Only Friend?

Terrace Duet

Hungarian Folk Song

No Contest

Lullaby

The Arbiter

The Soviet Machine

Click on a song name to listen/purchase it on

Stream Online Now

: 2008 Concert Version Available to Stream via Amazon

CDs

: Original London Cast Album

: 2009 Concert Cast Album

: Broadway Revival Cast Album

Sheetmusic

: Vocal Selections

Videos

: Chess in Concert DVD

Other

2026 Drama League Award Nominations

Outstanding Revival of a Broadway or Off-Broadway Musical
Distinguished Performance Award - Nicholas Christopher
Distinguished Performance Award - Lea Michele

2026 Outer Critics Circle Award Nominations

Outstanding Revival of a Musical
Outstanding Lead Performer in a Broadway Musical - Nicholas Christopher

1988 Tony Award Nominations

Best Actor in a Musical - David Carroll
Best Actress in a Musical - Judy Kuhn

1988 Drama Desk Award Nominations

Outstanding Actor in a Musical - David Carroll
Outstanding Actress in a Musical - Judy Kuhn
Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical - Harry Goz
Outstanding Music
Outstanding Lighting Design