The highly anticipated Broadway cast recording of the acclaimed revival of Chess has unveiled its first single, featuring Lea Michele’s powerful rendition of "Nobody’s Side," a moment the star describes as one of the most profound experiences of her professional life. The track, released today, offers a glimpse into the emotional depth and vocal prowess Michele brings to the role of Florence Vassy in the current Imperial Theatre production.
This recording marks a significant milestone for Michele, who has returned to the Broadway stage with a performance that critics and audiences alike are hailing as a career highlight. Chess, a 1988 musical by ABBA’s Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus with lyrics by Tim Rice, has evolved from its initial, albeit brief, Broadway run into a beloved cult classic, celebrated for its complex score and compelling narrative. The current revival’s success, particularly Michele’s starring role, underscores the enduring appeal of this ambitious musical.
A Full-Circle Moment on Broadway
For Lea Michele, the Imperial Theatre is more than just a venue; it’s a place deeply connected to her earliest theatrical memories. It was on this very stage that she made her Broadway debut at the tender age of eight as Young Cosette in Les Misérables. Now, returning as Florence Vassy, she steps into a role that allows her to explore the full spectrum of her dramatic and vocal capabilities, a far cry from her breakout television role as Rachel Berry on the hit series Glee.
"Florence is a woman who lives internally," Michele explained to Billboard, describing the character’s nuanced portrayal. "And occasionally she has these emotional moments where you get a glimpse into what she’s feeling." One such pivotal moment is "Nobody’s Side," her character’s first major solo, which consistently receives a thunderous ovation from the audience each night.
Michele emphasized her commitment to grounding this vocally demanding piece in authentic characterization. "I’m not really impressed by tricks," she stated. "I think there’s a fine line between showing off and truth. What I care most about in that moment is that you hear in my voice the message I’m trying to deliver: that there’s no one you can trust except for yourself. And Florence is in it for herself, and it is a game of one."
The Chess 2025 Broadway cast recording is slated for digital release this spring via Ghostlight Records. The premiere of "Nobody’s Side (Chess The Musical)" serves as a powerful introduction to the album, available on digital streaming platforms.
The Artistry Behind "Nobody’s Side"
The selection of "Nobody’s Side" as the lead single highlights its significance within the musical. Although often perceived as an "11 o’clock number"—a show-stopping solo typically placed late in the second act—it appears much earlier in Chess, during Act One. This strategic placement allows Michele to immediately establish the tone and emotional arc of her character and her performance.
"To have this moment so early on really helps me to sort of set the pace and the tone and the energy for my entire performance," Michele shared. "I really enjoy getting to do it as early as I do every night." She characterized the show as vocally the most challenging she has undertaken, even after her demanding role in Funny Girl. "There’s no moment to really stop and feel tired or any kind of fatigue—you just have to let go and go on this vocal extravaganza rollercoaster. And ‘Nobody’s Side’ is like the big drop at the top of the rollercoaster ride. It’s this amazing launching pad."
The palpable anticipation from the audience before and during the performance of "Nobody’s Side" is something Michele feels keenly. "I definitely see them being like, ‘Oh wow, we’re doing this, she’s looking at me, she’s saying these words to me,’" she observed. "And I see them suddenly go from watching the show to really deeply connecting and engaging with who Florence is."
Comparing it to her iconic performance of "Don’t Rain on My Parade" in Funny Girl, Michele noted, "Getting to sing ‘Don’t Rain on My Parade’ was an unbelievable out-of-body experience every night but this is empowering in a different, equally wonderful way. For so many reasons—for the words, what I have to do vocally—to have that moment with the audience and lock eyes and hands metaphorically, it’s so exciting."
Collaborating with Legends and Honoring the Legacy
Working on Chess offered Michele the extraordinary opportunity to collaborate with three titans of music: Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus of ABBA, and lyricist Tim Rice. The experience of sitting with Andersson and Ulvaeus during the sitzprobe—the initial rehearsal where the cast sings with the orchestra—was particularly memorable.
"When we did our sitzprobe… I got to sit by a piano with Benny and Björn playing it for me, hearing their thoughts on the parts of the show that mean so much to them," Michele recalled. "I think of them writing this music—and I get to bring it to life each night! I can’t believe I get to sing Tim Rice’s music." She expressed a profound connection to Rice’s lyrical style, stating, "I think I was born to sing Tim Rice’s songs—this is the type of music I believe I was vocally born to sing." Her ongoing collaboration with Rice on the character of Florence has been a source of validation and artistic growth.
Michele is the latest in a distinguished line of Broadway actresses to embody the complex role of Florence. She spoke of the profound influence of Idina Menzel, whose interpretation from the London concert production she listened to late one night during a demanding performance schedule in Funny Girl. Director Michael Mayer encouraged Michele to consider the role, suggesting that her resonance with the song would indicate her suitability for the character. "I listened to it in my kitchen in the dark at midnight and I could have said yes right then and there, and that was really thanks to Idina," Michele said. "She’s such an icon."
A particularly poignant moment occurred during rehearsals when Michele sang "Nobody’s Side" for the cast for the first time. Unbeknownst to her, Judy Kuhn, the original Broadway Florence, was present. "I swear to God my entire body went numb, it was like I saw a ghost. I could cry thinking about it," Michele recounted, emphasizing the weight of that encounter.
The Studio Experience: A Different Kind of Magic
Recording "Nobody’s Side" in the studio presented a unique challenge for Michele, who thrives on the energy of a live audience. She had concerns about replicating the visceral connection she felt on stage. "I was certainly very concerned that with ‘Nobody’s Side’ in particular I wouldn’t feel the same energy as I do every night—but I have to say I f***ing loved it," she declared with palpable enthusiasm.
"Recording ‘Nobody’s Side’ in the studio was one of the most incredible moments of my life professionally," Michele affirmed. While the live performance is amplified by the ensemble, whom she likens to "our heartbeat, our pulse," the studio environment allowed for a different, equally powerful dynamic. "In the studio we were standing in a circle, and I got to see everyone, and that was just so exciting. Something just came over me in the booth and I felt the same way I do on the stage every night but maybe even more excited, locking eyes with my castmates."
Michele expressed a deep affection for the song, calling it her favorite she has ever sung. After concluding her acclaimed run in Funny Girl, she harbored anxieties about finding another role that would resonate so profoundly. "I really needed a new anthem—and I heard this song and thought, ‘This is my new anthem,’" she revealed. The recording session for the new cast album of Chess felt like a culmination of this journey. "I was just so so happy that day. It was f***ing thrilling."
The release of "Nobody’s Side" serves as a powerful testament to Lea Michele’s enduring talent and her profound connection to the world of musical theater. As the Chess cast recording prepares to launch, this single solidifies the revival’s place in contemporary Broadway history and offers listeners a compelling preview of the magic that awaits.
The Future of Chess on Record
The upcoming digital release of the Chess 2025 Broadway cast recording signifies a new chapter for this cherished musical. For a new generation of listeners, this recording will serve as their introduction to the intricate melodies and dramatic storytelling that have captivated audiences for decades. Lea Michele’s passionate performance of "Nobody’s Side" is poised to become an anthem for many, echoing the song’s powerful message of self-reliance and resilience.
The involvement of Benny Andersson, Björn Ulvaeus, and Tim Rice in the revival and subsequent recording process ensures the authenticity and artistic integrity of the project. Their continued dedication to Chess underscores its lasting impact on musical theater. As the album rolls out, it is expected to attract both long-time fans of the show and new admirers drawn to the star power and vocal brilliance of its cast, particularly Lea Michele. The recording promises to capture the electrifying energy of the live production while offering an intimate listening experience that highlights the nuanced performances of the entire ensemble.
