Chess Revival Added to Theatre Film Archive
The 2025 production of Chess has been preserved at the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts.
Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Dance
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The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts has officially added the 2025 revival of the musical Chess to its Theatre on Film and Tape Archive. The production, which enjoyed a lengthy run at the Imperial Theatre, is now available for viewing through the institution.
Why it matters
The inclusion of this high-profile production ensures that the creative contributions of its cast and crew are preserved for future study and public access. The archive serves as a crucial resource for documenting live theatrical history and maintaining institutional memory of major Broadway runs.
The production ran for 34 previews and 249 regular performances at the Imperial Theatre. The Theatre on Film and Tape Archive, which holds this recording, has been active since its founding in 1970.
The players
Aaron Tveit
He is a Tony Award-winning actor and singer known for his extensive work in musical theater and television.
Lea Michele
She is an actress and singer who gained prominence for her roles in Broadway musicals and the television series Glee.
Michael Mayer
He is an accomplished stage director recognized for his work on several major Broadway productions and film adaptations.
The details
Directed by Michael Mayer with choreography by Lorin Latarro, the revival featured performances from Aaron Tveit, Lea Michele, and Nicholas Christopher. The work, written by Danny Strong with music and lyrics by Benny Andersson, Björn Ulvaeus, and Tim Rice, relied on orchestrations by Anders Eljas and Brian Usifer.
Timeline
The Theatre on Film and Tape Archive was established in 1970.
The Chess revival closed at the Imperial Theatre on June 21, 2026.
The Chess recording became available at the archive on October 13, 2026.
Industry Dynamics
The preservation of this production follows a long-standing trend of documenting Broadway history through the Theatre on Film and Tape Archive. This practice bridges the gap between fleeting live performances and the need for institutional records in the competitive New York City theater scene.
Theater enthusiasts can now access the full recording of this production by visiting the library for the performing arts in person. This provides researchers and fans a unique opportunity to study the staging and choreography of a show that concluded its run earlier this year.
The takeaway
The addition of this production to the library serves as a reminder of the importance of archiving live performance for future generations. Theater fans should note that access to such collections often requires in-person visits to specific library facilities.
Further reading
Learn more about local performance history at the New York City Dance section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Broadway World.
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