JoJo to Take Over From Lea Michele in Chess

Joanna “JoJo” Levesque will step into the role of Florence Vassy in the Broadway revival of Chess beginning June 23. She will take over from Lea Michele, who is set to depart the production June 21.

JoJo made her Broadway debut as Satine in Moulin Rouge! the Musical. Last year, she originated the role of Tess in Working Girl at La Jolla Playhouse.

With music by ABBA’s Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus (and Tim Rice, who had the original idea) and a new book by Danny Strong, Chess is a musical about international chess competitors caught up in Cold War intrigue. Michael Mayer directed the revival, which stars Aaron Tveit and Nicholas Christopher as the central rivals, Freddie Trumper and Anatoly Sergievsky.

The Broadway cast currently features Hannah Cruz, Tony Award nominee Bryce Pinkham, Bradley Dean, Tony Award nominee Sean Allan Krill and an ensemble that includes Kyla Bartholomeusz, Daniel Beeman, Shavey Brown, Emma Degerstedt, Casey Garvin, Adam Halpin, David Paul Kidder, Sarah Michele Lindsey, Michael Milkanin, Aleksandr Ivan Pevec, Aliah James, Sydney Jones, Sean MacLaughlin, Sarah Meahl, Ramone Nelson, Fredric Rodriguez Odgaard, Michael Olaribigbe, Katerina Papacostas, Samantha Pollino, Adam Roberts, Regine Sophia, and Katie Webber.

Tickets are on sale through September 13.