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Lea Michele has revealed that former TV mom Idina Menzel inspired her to take on her latest creative challenge.
Michelle, 39, recently spoke exclusively with PEOPLE at the opening afterparty for her new show, the Broadway revival of Chess, in New York City. During the conversation, the multihyphenate explained that he was drawn to the project because of Menzel.
“I heard Idina Menzel sing[the Chess number]’Nobody’s Side’ and I thought, ‘I have to sing that song every night,'” Michele recalls.
Menzel, 54, played Chess character Florence Vassey in the 2008 London concert version. Michele played the role of Florence in the recent Broadway revival.
Menzel also played Michelle’s biological mother in many episodes of the popular musical series Glee, which aired on Fox from 2009 to 2015.
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Michelle went on to marvel at the fact that many of her former Glee castmates are now starring in Broadway productions.
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“I mean, Jonathan[Groff]was here tonight and I talked to Darren[Criss]and I’m really looking forward to Kevin[McHale]coming on board,” she said, adding, “Glee has talented people and the most amazing cast, so it makes sense for us all to be here.”
Groff, 40, currently plays Bobby Darin in the Broadway show Just in Time, while Chris, 38, stars in Maybe Happy Endings. Meanwhile, McHale, 37, will be starring in the Off-Broadway revival of the 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.
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The Scream Queens actress went on to tell PEOPLE that she considers her latest role a “true gift,” even though it will take her away from her children.
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“I’m a mom and I have two kids, and it’s not easy to be away from my kids every day and every night. But being able to do what I love and working with a cast that is so inspired and singing songs that are so inspiring, and that’s a real gift,” she says.
“Chess,” which also stars Aaron Tveit and Nicholas Christopher, tells the story of two international chess champions and the woman caught between them in a high-stakes battle of desire and devotion,” the show’s official website says. The show has music by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus of pop group ABBA, lyrics by Ulvaeus and Tim Rice, and a book by Rice.
Chess tickets are on sale now.
