How does the director, Michael Mayer, approach the classic musical?

Mayer has brought in a new framing device, with an omniscient narrator character called The Arbiter providing context for modern audiences and acknowledging the show's dated and corny elements.

How do the lead performers in 'Chess' handle the production's self-aware, meta-theatrical style?

The three lead performers - Aaron Tveit, Lea Michele, and Nicholas Christopher - deliver earnest, Broadway-style performances, but struggle to reconcile the show's ironic framing with their sincere delivery.

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Broadway's 'Chess' Reimagined as Clunky Blend of Genres

Q: What is the new 'Chess' musical about?

The new Broadway production of 'Chess' centers on the rivalry between American and Soviet chess wizards and the woman caught between them, with geopolitics and nuclear anxiety widening the scope of the show.

17 Nov

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Summary

Director Michael Mayer's new version of 'Chess' sets the Cold War musical at "garish, sometimes glorious, war with itself"
Arbiter character added as an omniscient narrator to contextualize the show for modern audiences
Lead performers deliver earnest, Broadway-style performances despite the show's self-aware, meta-theatrical framing

Broadway's 'Chess' Reimagined as Clunky Blend of Genres

On November 16, 2025, director Michael Mayer's new Broadway production of the 1980s musical 'Chess' opened at the Imperial Theater. The show, which centers on the rivalry between American and Soviet chess wizards and the woman caught between them, has been given a modern makeover that sets it at "garish, sometimes glorious, war with itself."

Mayer has brought in screenwriter Danny Strong to introduce new packaging, with geopolitics and nuclear anxiety widening the scope of the show. An administrative role from past productions, The Arbiter, has been transformed into an omniscient narrator who contextualizes the story for modern audiences, acknowledging the show's dated and corny elements.