The acclaimed actress returns to the stage in a new play exploring memory and identity, premiering in spring 2027.
Jessica Chastain is making her much-anticipated return to Broadway in a new play titled Lost Lear, which offers a unique twist on Shakespeare’s classic King Lear. The production is set to premiere at the Booth Theatre, with previews beginning on March 29, 2027, and an official opening night scheduled for April 23, 2027.
Chastain, who last graced the Broadway stage in the acclaimed revival of A Doll’s House in 2023, will portray Joy, a middle-aged actress grappling with early onset dementia. The character’s only clear memory is of her time performing in King Lear. Joining her in the cast are Corey Stoll, known for his roles in Appropriate, and Michael Urie, famed for his performances in Once Upon a Mattress and Spamalot. Further casting details are expected to be announced soon.
Lost Lear is the brainchild of playwright Dan Colley, who will also make his Broadway directorial debut with this production. The narrative follows Joy as she navigates her fading memories, with her nurse (played by Urie) adapting to her needs and her estranged son Conor (Stoll) attempting to reconnect with her through the lens of their shared past in theatre.
The play has already garnered international attention, having been workshopped and performed in various countries, including Ireland, New Zealand, the U.S., the U.K., Poland, and Scotland since its inception in 2022. Colley expressed his excitement about bringing Lost Lear to New York, stating, “I never imagined, when we first made ‘Lost Lear,’ that it would one day be on Broadway — and I’ve imagined some pretty wild things.” He looks forward to exploring new dimensions of the work with the talented cast.
