Lea Michele on ‘Chess,’ Motherhood and a Broadway Homecoming

Lea Michele on ‘Chess,’ Motherhood and a Broadway Homecoming

From Sunday Sitdown with Willie Geist by Willie Geist, Sunday TODAY

March 22, 2026 · 53 min

About this episode

Lea Michele discusses her return to Broadway and the impact of motherhood on her life and career.

Emmy-nominated actress and singer Lea Michele has spent more than 30 years performing, from her Broadway debut in Les Misérables at the Imperial Theatre when she was just 8-years-old to starring in hits like Spring Awakening, Glee, Funny Girl and Scream Queens. Michele sits down with Willie Geist backstage at the Imperial Theatre to discuss her full-circle return to the theater where it all began, how Chess has brought joy and creative spark back to her life, and why feeling fulfilled as a mother and wife has made this chapter feel especially meaningful. Plus, she steps back into the dressing room she used during Les Misérables and reflects on the confidence that first led her from an open call in Englewood, New Jersey, to the Broadway stage.

People in this episode

Host: Willie Geist

Guest: Lea Michele

Topics covered

  • Broadway
  • Theater
  • Motherhood
  • Acting
  • Career
  • Personal Growth

Keywords

  • Lea Michele
  • Broadway
  • Chess
  • motherhood
  • Imperial Theatre
  • Les Misérables
  • acting
  • career

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: Les Misérables, Spring Awakening, Glee, Funny Girl, Scream Queens, Chess

Places: Imperial Theatre, Englewood, New Jersey

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