What happens to a dream deferred? Well, if you are Grammy Award-winning singer JoJo, you dust yourself off and keep a positive mindset. Back in March, the “Porcelain” singer revealed she would be making her long-awaited Broadway return in musical Chess.
Sadly, on June 21, the Tony Award-winning will close indefinitely. According to Just Jared, instead of the night being used to properly send off Lea Michele, it will close the doors on Chess for good. This announcement means JoJo has no role to make her highly anticipated Braodway return to.
In a heartfelt video message, posted to Instagram (viewable here), JoJo opened up about the production closing.
“Guys, I was so excited to make my return to the great Broadway, but you know what, life had other plans,” said JoJo. “I’m so, so sad to hear about the closing of ‘Chess.’ I really dove in with my vocal coach and my acting teacher, and I just love the role of Florence so much.”
She continued, “To everybody that got to see the show, you know that Lea was incredible in it. I think the thing that’s weirdest about this is just that you think you have a job or you think you know what you’re doing for the rest of the year pretty much, you know? You have your summer planned out and then all of a sudden you don’t.”
In the upload’s caption, JoJo revealed that she found out about the heartbreaking news just as she was set to begin rehearsals.
“It sucks for everybody who was a part of the production already and has been doing it,” wrote JoJo. “This business is just snip done. It’s crazy, but I’m very much a forward motion, keep-it-moving type of person.”
Read producers Tom Hulce, Robert Ahrens, and The Shubert Organization’s statement regarding the early closing below.
“We are immensely proud of the extraordinary work this cast and creative team have done in reimagining CHESS for a new generation of theatergoers while honoring the passionate fans who have championed this musical for nearly four decades. To see longtime fans and first-time audiences alike embrace this production so wholeheartedly has been incredibly rewarding for everyone involved and a powerful reminder of why CHESS has endured for so many years. The opportunity to witness Aaron Tveit, Lea Michele, and Nicholas Christopher perform this legendary score by Benny Andersson, Björn Ulvaeus, and Tim Rice alongside a company filled with some of Broadway’s most remarkable talent is something that will stay will audiences long after they depart the Imperial Theatre. Bringing CHESS back to Broadway for the first time in nearly 40 years has been an enormous privilege, and we are extremely proud of everything this production accomplished during its historic Broadway run.”
The production has not yet shared any updates regarding ticket refunds. However, ticketholders are encouraged to check their e-mail as instructions should be shared soon.