The Broadway revival of Chess is preparing for its final curtain call, but one performer is feeling the loss before even stepping onto the stage.
Pop and R&B singer JoJo reacted publicly after learning the musical will close on June 21, just two days before she was set to begin performances in the production.
JoJo had been scheduled to take over the role of Florence Vassy from Lea Michele on June 23. Instead, the singer found herself responding to the closure announcement on social media while preparing to begin rehearsals.
According to JoJo, her first rehearsal day was supposed to happen the same day the production confirmed its upcoming shutdown. In a comment shared online, the singer expressed disappointment while also showing support for the company behind the production.
The revival of Chess became one of Broadway’s bigger musical success stories this season, extending its run multiple times and surpassing 250 performances at New York City’s Imperial Theatre. The show featured performances from Broadway veterans including Aaron Tveit and Nicholas Christopher.
For JoJo, the production represented another major moment in her growing stage career. The singer previously made headlines with her Broadway debut in Moulin Rouge! The Musical, where she also shared the stage with Tveit.
Before the closure announcement, JoJo had spoken enthusiastically about joining Chess, describing the role as creatively demanding and emotionally exciting. Her casting generated attention from both theater audiences and longtime pop fans eager to see the “Too Little, Too Late” singer return to Broadway.
Now, what was expected to be a major summer theater moment has turned into an abrupt ending before it could officially begin.
