Lea Michele Is Leaving Broadway's Chess

She Made Chess a Must-See Hit Body: Lea Michele's return to Broadway turned Chess into the season's hottest ticket. Now her run has an end date — and a replacement hasn't been named yet.

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Lea Michele will take her final bow as Florence Vassy on Sunday, June 21, 2026, at the Imperial Theatre. After that, the role goes to someone new.

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Michele made her Broadway debut at the Imperial Theatre in Les Misérables — 30 years ago. Chess brought her full circle, and critics called it a "rapturous return."

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Cold War Drama With ABBA's Music Body: Chess pits an American vs. a Russian chess champion — and both want Florence. The score is by ABBA's Benny Andersson & Björn Ulvaeus with lyrics by Tim Rice.

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In 2022, Michele took over Funny Girl and turbo-charged ticket sales overnight. Chess is her second straight blockbuster comeback. The pattern is undeniable.

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Lea Michele leaves Chess on June 21. The show continues — but catching her before then is a now-or-never moment for Broadway fans.

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