Get ready for a musical masterpiece that's back on Broadway after an incredible 37 years! The cult classic, Chess, has returned with a bang, but not everyone is convinced.
This iconic musical, which first graced Broadway in 1988, has made a triumphant comeback, and the reactions are as diverse as the show itself. With a development period spanning over seven years, the new production boasts a revised script by Emmy Award-winning writer Danny Strong, known for his work on Dopesick and Empire.
The story, set during the Cold War, revolves around a World Chess Championship match between two grandmasters: Freddie Trumper, played by Tony winner Aaron Tveit, and his Soviet rival, Anatoly Sergievsky, portrayed by Nicholas Christopher. Caught between these chess giants is Florence Vassy, a Hungarian-born American woman played by the talented Emmy nominee, Lea Michele.
The premiere, held at New York City's Imperial Theatre on November 16th, was a star-studded affair. Chess.com was there, with their very own streamer/creator, Julesgambit, interviewing the cast on the red carpet. And get this - Chess.com even partnered with the Broadway show, allowing fans to play against bots of the characters Freddie, Florence, and Anatoly! Tveit himself admitted to being defeated by his own bot, saying, "My bot absolutely destroyed me. It's been a blast having my non-theatrical friends play me and then text me about it."
But here's where it gets controversial... The reviews are as mixed as they come! While some critics praised the show's score, composed by the legendary ABBA songwriting duo, Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus, others weren't so convinced. The New York Daily News summed it up perfectly, saying it's the kind of show "some will claim to dislike, yet most everyone will enjoy, even if that has to be in secret."
The Washington Post's review was fairly positive, calling it "packed with bangers" and praising the performance of the hit song, "One Night in Bangkok." New York Magazine's critic agreed, saying, "The song is such a ridiculous rush that it justifies the whole project. I left my heart, wallet, keys, and sobriety in that Bangkok. Who knew chess could get you so high?"
People Magazine also gave a positive review, writing, "This Chess may still be a complicated game, but with singing this good, the production lands a decisive victory." However, the New York Times and The Guardian were less enthusiastic, with the latter calling it "messy" and "wasting catchy ABBA songs."
And this is the part most people miss: despite the mixed reviews, fan reactions have been overwhelmingly positive. The show has a 4.5/5 rating on Broadway.com after 64 reviews, which just goes to show that sometimes, the critics can be wrong.
So, what do you think? Is Chess a masterpiece or a mess? Let us know in the comments! We'd love to hear your thoughts on this iconic musical's return to Broadway.
