JoJo Levesque, known to millions simply as JoJo, is trading pop charts for chessboards. She’ll be stepping into the role of Florence Vassy in Chess on Broadway, beginning June 23rd, succeeding Lea Michele. This isn’t just a casting announcement; it’s a fascinating pivot for a performer who’s spent the last two decades navigating the often-brutal landscape of the music industry, and a smart play for the revival’s continued momentum.
- JoJo will join the cast of Chess at the Imperial Theatre for a limited run, from June 23rd to September 13th.
- Lea Michele’s final performance as Florence Vassy will be on June 21st.
- The musical, a revival of the 1988 Broadway production, features a score by Tim Rice and ABBA’s Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus.
JoJo’s Broadway debut came in 2023 with Moulin Rouge! The Musical, with a return engagement in 2024, proving she’s not stage-shy. But her claim to fame remains her music career, punctuated by hits like “Leave (Get Out)” and the Grammy Award-winning “Say So” with PJ Morton. This move to Chess, a dramatically different vehicle than her pop persona, feels deliberate. It’s a chance to showcase vocal range and acting chops in a way that a concert tour simply can’t.
The timing is also interesting. Michele’s departure, while not explicitly linked, provides a clean slate. Chess, with its Cold War intrigue and complex characters, offers a sophisticated backdrop for JoJo to demonstrate artistic growth. The production itself, directed by Michael Mayer and featuring Aaron Tveit, Nicholas Christopher, Hannah Cruz, Bradley Dean, Sean Allan Krill, and Bryce Pinkham, is already attracting attention as a strong revival. JoJo’s presence adds another layer of intrigue, potentially drawing in a broader audience – specifically, her dedicated fanbase who may not typically frequent Broadway.
This feels less about simply taking a role and more about a carefully considered brand expansion. JoJo is signaling she’s an artist capable of more than just topping the charts. Whether this translates into a long-term Broadway career remains to be seen, but it’s a bold and strategically smart move. Expect a lot of cross-promotion between her music platforms and the Chess run – this is a win-win for everyone involved, and a fascinating case study in celebrity image management.
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