Oscar-winning actress Jessica Chastain is set to make her much-anticipated return to the Broadway stage in 2027, riding on the waves of her acclaimed theatre career. This will mark her first appearance on Broadway since her Tony-nominated role in the 2023 revival of Henrik Ibsen’s “A Doll’s House.” Chastain, who has captivated audiences globally with her performances, will feature alongside Corey Stoll and Michael Urie in an intriguing new work titled “Lost Lear.”
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The play is set to commence performances at the Booth Theatre on March 29, 2027, leading to an official opening night slated for April 23. Chastain’s announcement about the project took place during an interview on the “Today” show with Craig Melvin, where she hinted at her return with an air of excitement and a touch of nervousness. When pressed by Melvin about the nature of her Broadway plans, she ultimately broke the news, stating, “I’m coming to Broadway in the spring! It’s a new play called Lost Lear.”
“Lost Lear,” written and directed by Dan Colley, explores profound themes surrounding family dynamics, memory, and the intricate connections to Shakespeare’s works. In this play, Chastain takes on the role of Joy, a once-renowned actress now residing in a care home. Her character is depicted as grappling with her mental faculties, believing she is rehearsing for “King Lear.” Urie’s character, Liam, a compassionate nurse, engages with Joy’s vivid imagination, playing whatever role she requires. The plot thickens when Joy’s estranged son, Conor, portrayed by Stoll, arrives on the scene, seeking to confront the emotional scars left by years of unresolved issues.
The drama delves into the complex relationships that often exist between parents and children, shedding light on how storytelling and theatre can serve as powerful means of communication when verbal language falls short. As Chastain takes the lead in “Lost Lear,” audiences can expect a performance that resonates with universal themes of love, regret, and the transformative nature of art.
Chastain’s return to Broadway comes after a successful run in the 2023 revival of “A Doll’s House,” for which she received critical acclaim and a nomination for Best Actress in a Play at the Tony Awards. However, “Lost Lear” marks a new horizon for the actress, as it is her first role in an original Broadway play, differing from her previous experience with revivals.
“Lost Lear” originally debuted at the Dublin Theatre Festival in 2022 and has since garnered international attention, touring in the United States, the United Kingdom, and New Zealand. The production’s success continued to grow, culminating in a showing at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 2025, where it garnered the prestigious Scotsman Fringe First award and received widespread praise from critics.
This upcoming production also signifies a notable achievement for Dan Colley, as it marks his inaugural venture as both playwright and director on Broadway. Colley expressed his astonishment at the journey “Lost Lear” has taken, 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.” His enthusiasm for collaborating with Chastain and her co-stars adds another layer of excitement to the venture, as the team prepares to engage New York audiences with this remarkable piece.
As fans eagerly await Chastain’s return to the stage, “Lost Lear” promises to be a poignant exploration of the intersection between reality and performance, showcasing the enduring power of theatre to reflect the complexities of human relationships. With the production just months away, anticipation is building for what could be one of the standout theatrical experiences on Broadway in 2027.
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