JoJo Levesque’s Unexpected Broadway Exit
Joanna ‘JoJo’ Levesque was set to make her mark on Broadway as she took over the role of Florence Vassy in the revival of Chess. The musical, which ran at the Imperial Theatre in New York City from June 23 to September 13, was a significant opportunity for the 39-year-old Glee alum. However, producers made an unexpected announcement on Tuesday that the entire show would close on June 21 — the same day as JoJo’s final performance.
The news came as a shock to JoJo, who expressed her disappointment on the official Chess Instagram post. She wrote: “[I] was supposed to start first day of rehearsals TODAY. So bummed. All my love to the company.” Her reaction highlighted the emotional impact of the sudden change.
Lea Michele, who originally recommended JoJo for the role, played a key part in this development. In March, JoJo shared with People that it was “a beautiful thing to hear” when Michele suggested her for the part. The R&B singer had already fallen in love with the songs written by ABBA’s Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, along with lyricist Tim Rice. She even shared a video of herself singing “Quartet (A Model of Decorum and Tranquility)” on April 18, showcasing her enthusiasm for the role.
This isn’t JoJo’s first time on Broadway. She previously made her debut as Satine in Moulin Rouge! The Musical at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre in New York City from 2023 to 2024. Reflecting on her experience, JoJo said, “I feel like the only way to prepare for doing Broadway is to dive right into that schedule.” She emphasized the demanding nature of the work, stating, “It’s all consuming. It becomes your life, and that requires a level of discipline and surely a hundred-percent commitment.”
Michael Mayer’s Chess revival, which explores a love triangle set against Cold War-era chess matches, is set to compete for five Tony Awards. The production, which will air on June 7 on CBS/Paramount+, has been praised for its reimagining of the classic musical for a new generation while honoring longtime fans.
Producers shared their sentiments in a joint statement, saying: “We are immensely proud of the extraordinary work this cast and creative team have done in reimagining Chess for a new generation of theatregoers while honoring the passionate fans who have championed this musical for nearly four decades.” They also noted the positive reception from both long-time fans and first-time audiences, calling it a powerful reminder of why Chess has endured for so many years.
The opportunity to witness Aaron Tveit, Lea Michele, and Nicholas Christopher perform the legendary score by Benny Andersson, Björn Ulvaeus, and Tim Rice alongside a talented ensemble was described as something that will stay with audiences long after they leave the theatre.
Bringing Chess back to Broadway for the first time in nearly 40 years has been an enormous privilege, according to the producers. They expressed pride in everything the production accomplished during its historic run.
Looking ahead, JoJo is scheduled to perform a concert at The Muse & Pizza Joint in Nantucket, Massachusetts, on July 20. The New England native, who released an eight-track EP called NGL last year, continues to build her career with a strong online presence. She pulls in 4.6 million monthly listeners on Spotify and has 9.3 million social media followers.
With over 7 million records sold worldwide, JoJo first gained fame at age 13 when she released her eponymous debut album. The record peaked at number four on the US Billboard 200 chart, marking the beginning of a successful music career.
