CHESS (2025 Broadway Revival) Reviews- Page 15

[Mary_Poppins]

Posted: 4/16/26 at 7:04pm

Ball of Buttah said: "Lea finally got her Sardi's pic up. And, of course, looks nothing like her 🤦🏻‍♀️🤣."

Looks like Idina.

Aren't these drawings supposed to be caricatures ?

 

[Ball of Buttah]

Posted: 4/16/26 at 7:07pm

Mary_Poppins said: "Ball of Buttah said: "Lea finally got her Sardi's pic up. And, of course, looks nothing like her 🤦🏻‍♀️🤣."

Looks like Idina.

Aren't these drawings supposed to be caricatures ?"

Someone said it looks more like Idina than Idina's picture 😭😂

[Mary_Poppins]

Posted: 4/16/26 at 7:27pm

GirlFromOz68 said: "Ball of Buttah said: "Lea finally got her Sardi's pic up. And, of course, looks nothing like her 🤦🏻‍♀️🤣.


Anyway what's far more important is how many people from different stages of her career showed up for her. One in the eye for that stupid narrative that nobody likes her. Stephen Mark Lukas, understudy Nick in FG , came down from Boston where the Beauty and the Beast tour is currently playing, to be there.

Also nice to see Judy Kuhn."

 

There are countless people out there who still like her.

Not sure what to think of Kevin McHale, though. After Glee was over he invited her to be the first guest on his and Jenna's podcast. Then he jumped on the bandwagon and shaded her. Then he backtracked a little. Then he showed up backstage at Chess and now at Sardi's.

[Wayman_Wong]

Posted: 4/17/26 at 2:55pm

People magazine features coverage of Lea Michele's portrait at Sardi's and her reunion with her co-stars from ''Glee'' and ''Spring Awakening.'' Also includes quotes from Michele and Jonathan Groff, who gave a speech celebrating her. 

By the way, is this the first time some folks have seen a Sardi's portrait? These drawings seldom look like their subjects. It's not just Lea.

I missed the old-fashioned, classic caricatures, but apparently some celebs did not like having their features exaggerated. So they have these bland, more-straightforward drawings of photographs.

https://people.com/lea-michele-reunites-with-glee-and-spring-awakening-costars-at-unveiling-of-sardis-portrait-11952190

Updated On: 4/17/26 at 02:55 PM

[Mary_Poppins]

Posted: 4/17/26 at 4:13pm

Wayman_Wong said: "
By the way, is this the first time some folks have seena Sardi's portrait? These drawings seldom look like their subjects. It's not just Lea."

I've seen them before and I know they have neither been very similar nor proper caricatures for quite some time now. But Lea's is literally more similar to Idina than to herself. Whoever drew it must have realized that.

 

[TheatreMonkey]

Posted: 4/17/26 at 8:17pm

Mary_Poppins said: "Wayman_Wong said: "
By the way, is this the first time some folks have seena Sardi's portrait? These drawings seldom look like their subjects. It's not just Lea."

I've seen them before and I know they have neither been very similar nor proper caricatures for quite some time now. But Lea's is literally more similar to Idina than to herself. Whoever drew it must have realized that.

"

This, 100% -- when I saw the photos from the unveiling, all I could think was "That's a caricature...of Idina Menzel!" Not to mention, it looks like it took less than 5 minutes to produce. Yeah, it's not Botticelli, but I've seen better quality caricatures at a boardwalk. 

Updated On: 4/17/26 at 08:17 PM

[TheatreFan4]

Posted: 4/17/26 at 8:22pm

This one looks like neither a self portrait or a caricature. It's kind of like if you took caricature attributes and painted them as "realistic". Just ugly all around lol. 

[Mary_Poppins]

Posted: 4/18/26 at 8:12pm

Aaron, Lea and Nick will be on

Late Night with Seth Meyers

NBC    Monday April 20    12:35/11:35c

 

 

Updated On: 4/18/26 at 08:12 PM

[GirlFromOz68]

Posted: 4/18/26 at 11:37pm

Mary_Poppins said: "Aaron, Lea and Nick will be on

Late Night with Seth Meyers

NBC Monday April 20 12:35/11:35c



"

A busy day for Lea,  she's appearing at the Atlantic Theatre Company 40th Anniversary Celebration that night.  Monday week she and Nik will both be performing at Miscast 2026.

[MezzA101]

Posted: 4/22/26 at 12:07pm

Nicholas Christopher, the unexpected star of a hit Broadway revival 

https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/story/2026-04-22/nicholas-christopher-unexpected-broadway-star-chess

[GirlFromOz68]

Posted: 4/22/26 at 7:10pm

MezzA101 said: "Nicholas Christopher, the unexpected star of a hit Broadway revival

https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/story/2026-04-22/nicholas-christopher-unexpected-broadway-star-chess"

a lovely interview and its nice to see Nik getting the focus he's deserved.  I also liked getting to see him talk about his Dad on Seth Meyers and the funny story Lea told about his mum waving to him on stage.  They also wore Chess t shirts on a cruise recently. I love to see supportive parents. 

Also his comments about Lea's generosity of spirit and her support and friendship. Their friendship has been one of my favourite things about Chess and when you see their interactions at curtain call and in interviews they are clearly having a good time working together.

I'm really excited to see what Nik chooses to do next.  I'm firmly a fan now.

[quizking101]

Posted: 4/22/26 at 7:19pm

Nicholas Christopher slaying

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DXcxWLOALsi/?igsh=OGhudmxoOG5pcncx

Check out my eBay page for sales on Playbills!! www.ebay.com/usr/missvirginiahamm

[poisonivy2]

Posted: 4/29/26 at 8:25am

So I finally saw Chess last night. Bad things first: the book is RIDICULOUS. The Cold War chess love triangle had all these cringe geopolitical jokes that took me out. When the Arbiter (Bryce Pinkham) made the Biden joke I felt my eyes roll to the back of my head. So it was overall really dumb. The CIA and KGB stuff was ridiculous too.

The Russian accents were horrific. Maybe I'm just spoiled because I saw Heated Rivalry and then Ponies, and the actors there worked so hard to perfect the Russian accent. These accents were so horrible. Every other word was an accent drop.

BUT ... omg, I had a great time. Nicholas Christopher, Lea Michele and Aaron Tveit had the best trio of pipes I've ever heard in a musical performance. Just amazing belters. It felt like an ABBA concert. At the end of the evening I was ready to give them all Tony's for Best Belting in a Musical.

Nicholas Christopher's "Anthem" truly knocked me to the back of my seat, as did Aaron Tveit's "Pity the Child." I felt like Florence (Lea Michele) had maybe the weakest part, but Lea Michele sure can pump out the sound for "Heaven Help My Heart."

And maybe it's just the edible I ate before the performance, but I loved the stage design. The bright neon colors, etc.

So if you just want a fun, brainless ABBA musical, go see this. I'm already buying my return ticket.

Updated On: 4/29/26 at 08:25 AM

[GirlFromOz68]

Posted: 4/29/26 at 8:33am

poisonivy2 said: "So I finally saw Chess last night. Bad things first: the book is RIDICULOUS. The Cold War chess love triangle had all these cringe geopolitical jokes that took me out. When the Arbiter (Bryce Pinkham) made the Biden joke I felt my eyes roll to the back of my head. So it was overall really dumb. The CIA and KGB stuff was ridiculous too.

The Russian accents were horrific. Maybe I'm just spoiled because I saw Heated Rivalry and then Ponies, and the actors there worked so hard to perfect the Russian accent.

BUT ... omg, I had a great time. Nicholas Christopher, Lea Michele and Aaron Tveit had the best trio of pipes I've ever heard in a musical performance. Just amazing belters. It felt like an ABBA concert. At the end of the evening I was ready to give them all Tony's for Best Belting in a Musical.

Nicholas Christopher's "Anthem" truly knocked me to the back of my seat, as did Aaron Tveit's "Pity the Child." I felt like Florence (Lea Michele) had maybe the weakest part, but Lea Michele sure can pumop out the sound for "Heaven Help My Heart."

And maybe it's just the edible I ate before the performance, but I loved the stage design. The bright neon colors, etc.

So if you just want a fun, brainless ABBA musical, go see this. I'm alreadybuying my return ticket."

I know people focus on the belty songs, aside well as Nik's very long note, but some of my favourite parts are the non belting songs eg Quartet and You and I.  I do enjoy when Lea goes into her upper range and the duets are all sublime.

 

[Ball of Buttah]

Posted: 4/30/26 at 6:44am

Saw this a second time yesterday and had the best time! Brought a friend with me and she loved it. I saw this first in previews and the difference was astounding to me. 

First, the sound design was infinitely much better and I could understand most of the lyrics in the  group numbers. They also amped up the lead vocals' mics so they didn't get drowned out by the orchestra.

Second and, obviously, 6 months after previews the whole cast was much cleaner in blocking and choreography. I'll also lump in everyone's acting and chemistry was tremendously more believable. I dare say I found Hannah to be a little over acting (even compared to Bryce!). Only consistent things I found were Bradley and Sean's performances and relationship.

Third, I can't describe how amazing and fantastic the leads are singing this score live. The album is great, but this is one of those shows that needs to be seen and heard in person. The other principles after the big 3 are giving the best character and campy voices. Although, I hate to admit Hannah's upper register does not agree with me at all. Her "He is a Man, He is a Child" starts off great, but I involuntarily wince when she screlts in her mix/head voice. I react the same in Endgame #2. Only bummer.

Finally, I have a wild theory...it's just a guess based on how she is dressing and overall vibes: I think Lea is pregnant again. 😬 If I'm wrong, then it was a stupid thought. 🤗 If I'm right (probably never), then congrats to her. 

Updated On: 4/30/26 at 06:44 AM

[GirlFromOz68]

Posted: 4/30/26 at 7:12am

Ball of Buttah said: "Saw this a second time yesterday and had the best time! Brought a friend with me and she loved it. I saw this first in previews and the difference was astounding to me.

First, the sound design was infinitely much better and I could understand most of the lyrics in the group numbers. They also amped up the lead vocals' mics so they didn't get drowned out by the orchestra.

Second and, obviously, 6 months after previews the whole cast was much cleaner in blocking and choreography. I'll also lump in everyone's acting and chemistry was tremendously more believable. I dare say I found Hannahto be a little over acting (even comparedto Bryce!). Only consistent things I found wereBradley and Sean's performances and relationship.

Third, I can't describe how amazing and fantastic the leads are singing this score live. The album is great, but this is one of those shows that needs to be seen and heard in person. The other principles after the big 3 are giving the best character and campy voices. Although, I hate to admit Hannah's upper register does not agree with me at all. Her "He is a Man, He is a Child" starts off great, but I involuntarily wince when she screlts in her mix/head voice. I react the same in Endgame #2. Only bummer.

Finally, I have a wild theory...it's just a guess based on how she is dressing and overall vibes: I think Lea is pregnant again. 😬 If I'm wrong, then it was a stupid thought. 🤗 If I'm right (probably never), then congrats to her."

if you knew about her struggles to have both of her children,  her multiple miscarriages,  including one during FG and how she had to go down the IVF road for her daughter, along with her struggles with PCOS and endometriosis I'm not sure you'd be making that assumption. 

She seemed to imply after her daughter was born she was done. As an only child herself she really wanted a sibling for Ever. I'd be very surprised if she was pregnant again and given  the plans for her to leave have been in train for months, its certainly not her reason for leaving the show when she still has nearly two months left in the show and it would be a bit hard to cover anything up for nearly two more months.

Updated On: 4/30/26 at 07:12 AM

[Ball of Buttah]

Posted: 4/30/26 at 8:00am

All true and good points. That's why it was a wild and stupid thought. (Although, I believe Ever was a "surprise" after giving up almost try to conceive naturally).

Anyway, back to the show, I wish I could see this again before Lea leaves in June. But, who knows...might be still around in the Fall when I come back to NYC. 

[Melissa25]

Posted: 5/1/26 at 8:47am

I’m so glad that this was recorded and that I finally got to see the ballet sequence choreographed by Lorin Latarro that was cut from Chess. I wish I could have seen this live. Sarah Meahl, Casey Garvin and Michael Olaribigbe are stunning.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DXvKMetgw3h/?igsh=NmV3c25uMmxrN2dw

 

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 5/1/26 at 8:54am

I saw the ballet sequence at the first preview and was very sad to hear it had been cut less than a week later. Glad it was preserved here. Really beautiful.

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 5/1/26 at 9:41am

Wow, that was stunning! Sorry it was cut. 

Hey Dottie! Did your colleagues enjoy the cake even though your cat decided to sit on it? ~GuyfromGermany

[mar6411]

Posted: 5/1/26 at 6:56pm

Lea out tonight 

[Auggie27]

Posted: 5/2/26 at 8:40am

Saw the show in January and felt Tveit was giving the best overall performance - his character, a narcissist past the point of return, at least makes sense - and listening to the entire OBC yesterday hold to that opinion. Tveit uses the songs to make a persuasive case, even though the second act sends him down ramps that make little sense as narrative. 

"I'm a comedian, but in my spare time, things bother me." Garry Shandling

[always bway]

Posted: 5/2/26 at 9:09am

WithoutATrace said: "I saw the ballet sequence at the first preview and was very sad to hear it had been cut less than a week later. Glad it was preserved here. Really beautiful."

So beautiful, even on instagram, but that ballet trio in person was mesmerizing. Incredibly darned by those three too. 

newskoolbway

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 5/3/26 at 1:02pm

Auggie27 said: "Saw the show in January and felt Tveit was giving the best overall performance - his character, a narcissist past the point of return, at least makes sense - and listening to the entire OBC yesterday hold to that opinion. Tveit uses the songs to make a persuasive case, even though the second act sends him down ramps that make little sense as narrative."

 Yeah, I know the nominations are mostly for Nicholas, Lea, and the ensemble but Aaron does a great job portraying mania and narcissism. He does such a great job in a tough role. He was my favorite Bobby in Company (regional) and continues to do such great work. People complained when he was cast as Mr. T but he was incredible and the chemistry between him and Sutton was just delicious. And, if these conveniently timed articles are any indication, Aaron will absolutely be Christian for the last two weeks just a few doors down.

Updated On: 5/3/26 at 01:02 PM

[Peppa222]

Posted: 5/5/26 at 5:55pm

Was Lea always scheduled off tonight, or is that a new development? Telecharge has an alert on the ticketing page saying she's out.