Singer and actress JoJo has been left feeling “so bummed” after Broadway musical Chess announced its closure just hours before she was due to begin rehearsals.
JoJo has been left devastated after Broadway musical Chess announced its closure just hours before she was due to begin rehearsals.
The 35-year-old singer – whose real name is Joanna Levesque – was announced in March as Glee star Lea Michele’s replacement for the role of Florence Vassy, which she was due to begin on June 23rd.
However, this week, Chess confirmed the show’s final Broadway performance will be on June 21st.
A message on Chess’ Instagram page read: “Nothing is so good, it lasts eternally. CHESS will play its final Broadway performance on June 21.”
Following the news, Instagram account @BroadwayWorks suggested JoJo should be drafted into the production before it closes next month.
A message on the account read: “I’m manifesting that JoJo joins as the alternate for these last few weeks or something. She deserves some shows!! (sic)”
JoJo commented: “Was supposed to start first day of rehearsals TODAY. So bummed. All my love to the company”
Just days earlier, JoJo had teased her upcoming Chess appearance on her Instagram account, after playing at the Forever Mine Festival in Chicago.
She wrote: “Love you Chicago!!!!
Thanks to @foreverminefest for being my last show before I go into @chessbway very different worlds that I’m so lucky I get to inhabit. Xx (sic)”
Nicole Scherzinger commented: “Baaaabe why are you just the coolest (sic)”
Chess will wrap at Broadway’s Imperial Theatre on June 21st after more than 250 performances.
As well as Lea, Aaron Tveit and Nicholas Christopher also appear in the show, which was nominated for five Tony Awards earlier this month.
This included Nicholas landing a Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical nod for his portrayal of Anatoly Sergievsky.
Chess star Bryce Pinkham has a nomination for Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical, and his co-star Hannah Cruz is up for Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical at the 79th Tony Awards, which will be held on June 7th.
JoJo devastated as Broadway musical Chess announces closure hours before her rehearsal start date
