Imperial Theatre

Wake Up With BroadwayWorld June 23, 2026- Go Inside the Jimmy Awards and More
by - Jun 23, 2026

Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is June 23, 2026 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.

Video: CHESS Cast Takes Final Bows on Broadway
by Stephi Wild - Jun 22, 2026

The revival of the musical Chess played its final performance on Broadway at the Imperial Theatre after over 250 performances starring Aaron Tveit, Lea Michele and Nicholas Christopher.  Check out a video of the cast taking their final bows.

3 Broadway Shows Close Today
by Sidney Paterra - Jun 21, 2026

Broadway says goodbye to three productions. Chess takes its final bow at the Imperial Theatre following 34 previews and 249 regular performances; The Balusters concludes its limited run at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre after 22 previews and 72 regular performances; and Celebrity Autobiography concludes its run at the Shubert Theatre after 3 previews and 39 regular performances. The theatres will soon be home to 860, School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play, and Galileo respectively.

DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS to Open The Barnstormers Theatre's 96th Season
by A.A. Cristi - Jun 18, 2026

The Barnstormers Theatre in Tamworth, N.H., will present DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS, directed by Executive Artistic Director Jordan Ahnquist, featuring a cast of returning and first-time Barnstormers performers.

HOLD ON TO YOUR BUTTS to Launch North American Tour Across 26 Venues
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jun 17, 2026

Hold on to Your Butts, a two-actor parody of Jurassic Park, will launch a North American Tour, visiting 26 venues across the U.S. and Canada following its Off-Broadway and West End runs.

Photos/Video: Denée Benton Leads New Trailer for DREAMS IN NIGHTMARES
by Josh Sharpe - Jun 16, 2026

A new trailer and first-look photos have been released for Dreams in Nightmares, a new take on the American road movie led by Tony-nominated stage and screen performer Denée Benton. Check them out now.

A Place for Everybody: Accessibility and Audience Comfort in Broadway's Historic Theaters
by Cynthia L. Dorsey - Jun 16, 2026

Broadway has long been a place where audiences come to be whisked away into a world beyond their own. But for many theatergoers, particularly those who are plus-size, tall, or navigating physical accessibility needs, the experience begins with something far less magical: being comfortable enough to enjoy the show.

Wake Up With BroadwayWorld June 16, 2026- CELEBRITY AUTOBIOGRAPHY Will Play Final Broadway Performance and More
by - Jun 16, 2026

Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is  June 16, 2026 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours: 

Billy Crystal's New One-Man Show 860 to Play Broadway’s Imperial Theater this Fall
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jun 15, 2026

Tony and Emmy Award-winner Billy Crystal’s new one-man show, 860 will play a limited run at Broadway’s Imperial Theatre, beginning in October of 2026. The complete creative team will be announced in the coming weeks. 

Broadway 2026/27: Season Preview: Upcoming Premieres and Star-Studded Revivals
by Sidney Paterra - Jun 13, 2026

2026 is halfway over, which means that the 2026/27 Broadway season has just begun! Now that the 79th Annual Tony Awards have concluded, all eyes are already on the lineup for the new Broadway season and many Broadway productions have already revealed full details of their upcoming engagements.

Concord Theatricals Acquires Licensing Rights for SMASH
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jun 1, 2026

Concord Theatricals has secured exclusive worldwide licensing rights to Marc Shaiman, Scott Wittman, Rick Elice and Bob Martin’s Smash, a musical about a musical about Marilyn.

Video: JoJo Sings From CHESS & Shares Reaction to Production Closing with Lea Michele
by A.A. Cristi - May 27, 2026

Joanna 'JoJo' Levesque has shared her reaction to the news that the Broadway revival of CHESS would be ending its run early on Broadway. In a new video, JoJo gives fans a behind the scenes look at her preparation process for the show, rehearsing the songs, 'Nobody's Side,' and, 'I Know Him So Well'.

JoJo Was Set to Start CHESS Rehearsals the Day They Announced Closing
by Michael Major - May 27, 2026

Joanna 'JoJo' Levesque has revealed that she was supposed to start rehearsals for CHESS on Broadway the day that the show announced its early closing. JoJo was set to take over the role of 'Florence Vassey' from Lea Michele.

CHESS Will Close Early on Broadway
by Nicole Rosky - May 26, 2026

Chess will play its final performance on Sunday, June 21, 2026 at Broadway’s Imperial Theatre after over 250 performances starring Aaron Tveit,  Lea Michele and Nicholas Christopher.

Interview: Bryce Pinkham on Commanding CHESS as Broadway’s Magnetic Arbiter
by David Clarke - May 21, 2026

Bryce Pinkham has spent nearly a decade helping shape CHESS’ new Broadway life. With a Tony nomination for his Arbiter, the actor reflects on creativity, collaboration, family & why this long-complicated musical has finally found its moment.

BWW Q&A: Catherine Brunell Stars as Heidi Hansen in DEAR EVAN HANSEN at Theatre Raleigh
by Joshua Wright - May 19, 2026

Catherine Brunell stars as Heidi Hansen in Dear Evan Hansen at Theatre Raleigh, June 3–21. The Broadway veteran discusses motherhood, mental health, and preparing the demanding score.

Lea Michele Reveals What Duet She Sang Both Parts of to Land Her Broadway Debut at Age 8
by Michael Gioia - May 19, 2026

Lea Michele exclusively tells BroadwayWorld about auditioning for her first Broadway show, the 1987 production of 'Les Miserables,' on a whim.

Video: Hannah Cruz Turned 23 Minutes Into a Tony Nomination
by Luka Vonier - May 15, 2026

Watch in this video as 2026 Tony nominee Hannah Cruz chats more about why this nomination surprised her, what an honor it is to be nominated, and so much more.

2026 Drama League Awards Winners- Joshua Henry, MEXODUS, LIBERATION Win Big
by Nicole Rosky - May 15, 2026

The best of Broadway and off-Broadway were on hand at the Ziegfeld Ballroom to celebrate 92nd Annual Drama League Awards, hosted by Emmy Award winner Frank DiLella. Check out a full list of winners here.

Video: Hannah Cruz & Nicholas Cristopher in 'The Deal (Part 1)' from CHESS on Broadway
by Joshua Wright - May 10, 2026

Watch Tony Award nominees Hannah Cruz and Nicholas Cristopher perform an excerpt of The Deal (Part 1) from the Broadway revival of Chess.