Joanna “JoJo” Levesque, a multi-platinum singer, songwriter, and actor, will return to Broadway this June to take over the role of the exiting Lea Michele in the musical revival of Chess at Broadway’s Imperial Theatre. Levesque, who has often performed under the mononym JoJo, will begin her performances in Chess on Tuesday, June 23, just two days after Michele makes her final, scheduled appearance. She will join forces with co-stars Aaron Tveit and Nicholas Christopher in this show.
The announcement of the casting was made today by producers Tom Hulce, Robert Ahrens, and The Shubert Organization, along with Creative Partners Production. Chess is currently selling tickets through Sunday, September 13, marking its third extension.
Levesque’s hit singles include “Leave (Get Out)” and “Too Little Too Late.” Her debut album JoJo was released in 2004, with other releases including 2016’s Mad Love, 2020’s Good To Know, and 2021’s Trying Not To Think About It. She won a 2020 Grammy Award with PJ Morton for the song “Say So.” In total, she has sold over 8 million albums worldwide and amassed more than 1 billion streams.
In addition to her TV appearances, tours, and concerts, Levesque recently appeared on Broadway in Moulin Rouge! The Musical in 2023 and 2024. She originated the role of Tess in Working Girl at La Jolla Playhouse and wrote the 2024 memoir Over the Influence.
The revival of Chess, directed by Michael Mayer, began previews on October 15, 2025, and opened on November 16. This musical is poised to be a hit once again with Levesque’s stunning talent and her charismatic presence on stage. Let’s anticipate a memorable performance from her and the rest of the talented cast!
