Lea Michele is an American actress and singer best known for her role as Rachel Berry on the television series "Glee," which earned her Emmy and Golden Globe Award nominations. She began her career as a child performer on Broadway, appearing in productions such as "Les Misérables," "Ragtime," and "Spring Awakening," establishing her background in musical theater.
Michele has recently returned to Broadway, starring in a high-profile revival of the musical "Chess." This production, which features music by ABBA's Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, is a concept musical set during the Cold War that follows a romantic and political rivalry between two chess champions. Her casting marks a significant return to her theatrical roots following her television success.
The Broadway revival of "Chess" has generated considerable media attention, with multiple major publications publishing reviews of the production in November 2025. These reviews have highlighted Michele's performance as a standout element, even as critical reception of the overall production has been mixed, contributing to public discussion about the show and her role in it.
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- ‘Chess’ Broadway review: A wacky musical that’s packed with bangers - The Washington Post 2025-11-17 15:00 · The Washington Post
- ‘Chess’ Theater Review: Lea Michele, Aaron Tveit and Nicholas Christopher Headline Conflicted Broadway Revival of Cold War Concept Musical - The Hollywood Reporter 2025-11-17 12:31 · The Hollywood Reporter
- Lea Michele makes a rapturous return to Broadway in 'Chess' – Review - USA Today 2025-11-17 12:03 · USA Today
- ‘Chess,’ With Lea Michele: At Least They Have the Abba Songs - The New York Times 2025-11-17 12:00 · The New York Times
- ‘Chess’ Review: A Broadway-Musical Blunder - The Wall Street Journal 2025-11-17 12:00 · The Wall Street Journal
- ‘Chess’ review: Lea Michele leaves you cold in Cold War musical revival on Broadway - New York Post 2025-11-17 12:00 · New York Post
- ‘Chess’ Review: Lea Michele Reigns as Queen of This Uneven Broadway Revival - Variety 2025-11-17 12:00 · Variety
- Broadway review: Chess returns in heavily altered form - Time Out 2025-11-17 11:58 · Time Out
- Review | In ‘Chess,’ the music attacks – but the book retreats - amNewYork 2025-11-17 11:45 · amNewYork
- Chess Opens on Broadway November 16 - Playbill 2025-11-16 13:00 · Playbill