CHESS (2025 Broadway Revival) Reviews- Page 7

[GirlFromOz68]

Posted: 12/15/25 at 8:10pm

The Chess social media team have uploaded the performances on the Today show  up on YT in the last couple of hours. I bet this is why they had  the bootlegs removed the other day as from memory they disappeared the day before the Today appearance.

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 12/15/25 at 9:17pm

GirlFromOz68 said: "Danny1984 said: "Is there likely to be a cast recording for this?"

according to a recent interview with Benny Andersson's son, who is also a producer, they didn't budget for itbut they are still trying to make it happen. As I mentioned in an earlier post about this, I dont think they expected the show to do as well as its been doing, up in the $2M or thereabouts range in box office this week."

Allegedly, part of the reason why they haven't budgeted a cast album yet is they're still debating whether it should be in-studio or live.

 

[GirlFromOz68]

Posted: 12/15/25 at 9:50pm

EDSOSLO858 said: "GirlFromOz68 said: "Danny1984 said: "Is there likely to be a cast recording for this?"

according to a recent interview with Benny Andersson's son, who is also a producer, they didn't budget for itbut they are still trying to make it happen. As I mentioned in an earlier post about this, I dont think they expected the show to do as well as its been doing, up in the $2M or thereabouts range in box office this week."

Allegedly, part of the reason why they haven't budgeted a cast album yet is they're still debating whether it should be in-studio or live.

"

that's interesting.  

[suzcap]

Posted: 12/16/25 at 1:50am

Mary_Poppins said: "Lea's complete Christmas album on Youtube:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_mociXUUpdsOJ5TYi1y37BdkSqVtoRjGhY

Lea's channel with all 4 albums on Youtube:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQ8R1nNideivkrqDvvdMT-A

To my own surprise my favorite Christmas song from Lea is one that she wrote herself to a large extent:


"Apologies for my long winded way of explaining that even though Lea often refers to herself as Italian in public there's actually a lot of Jewishness in her."

 

She almost always says she is Italian on her mothers side and Sephardic Jew on her fathers side.   I feel like some act like she never acknowledges that but she does often.  



"

 

[Mary_Poppins]

Posted: 12/16/25 at 6:27am

suzcap said:

"She almost always says she is Italian on her mothers side and Sephardic Jew on her fathers side. I feel like some act like she never acknowledges that but she does often."

Of course she does. But count how often she's flat out said "I'm Italian" vs "I'm Jewish". And she tends to be more verbose and sound more enthusiastic about the former. There are reasons for that but it creates a lopsided impression which I was trying to even out.

Don't worry, I'm the resident Lea fan in this thread. I have no desire to misrepresent her in any way.

[Mary_Poppins]

Posted: 12/16/25 at 6:40am

FWIW, I asked the ticked concierge on the official Chess site: "recording"'

The answer:

"The official cast recording is not yet available. However, you can listen to three first listens from the cast:

[links to 3 demos]

"

Emphasis mine. They could chicken out of that but for now I consider that a weak confirmation that a cast recording will indeed happen sooner or later.

 

[quizking101]

Posted: 12/17/25 at 12:20pm

I had a long post but the damn site refreshed so I’ll do the short version about last night.

Katerina and Samantha are absolutely fabulous understudies. The former has a more steely resolve and you can see the tension in her bubbling throughout Act I, making it clear that she is not here to babysit Freddie anymore. Her chemistry with Nick was also far hotter. Since Kat’s voice is lower, she’s not going into a constant high nasal belt like Lea and when she does go for the high notes, they are THRILLING because they fit the character’s anger and pain, not just because she can.

Samantha is a far more fragile Svetlana and a lot warmer than Hannah. Her portrayal seems more borne of genuine fear of losing her family and life, and also shows a genuine love that she may have had for Anatoly at one point. 

If you end up with either understudy, you are in great hands and I would go so far as to say you should specifically seek out the days Katerina goes on for Florence. It’s a game changer (pun intended)

[Mary_Poppins]

Posted: 12/17/25 at 7:26pm

quizking101 said: "...going into a constant high nasal belt like Lea..."

"nasal" ?

So Idina gets lots of praise for her performance in that Chess concert. But Lea sounds "nasal"? What am I missing here?

[GirlFromOz68]

Posted: 12/18/25 at 1:14am

Mary_Poppins said: "quizking101 said: "...going into a constant high nasal belt like Lea..."

"nasal" ?

So Idina gets lots of praise for her performance in that Chess concert. But Lea sounds "nasal"? What am I missing here?"

Yeah, when I think nasal i think Idina ( who i like) not Lea.

[Mary_Poppins]

Posted: 12/18/25 at 3:43am

Oh, of course, no dig at Idina. I consider it her signature sound, even though she doesn't always have it.

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 12/18/25 at 1:46pm

Mary_Poppins said: "quizking101 said: "...going into a constant high nasal belt like Lea..."

"nasal" ?

So Idina gets lots of praise for her performance in that Chess concert. But Lea sounds "nasal"? What am I missing here?"

She doesn't sound nasal at all. Just another Lea hater complaining and encouraging people to go when she's not there. 

They are recording the cast album early next year, I look forward to hearing all these stunning voices, none of which are nasal :)

[Mary_Poppins]

Posted: 12/18/25 at 11:49pm

Not sure if it qualifies as a review but here's LMM's take after seeing Chess:

"I’m finding it impossible to describe @chessbway without sounding like Stefon or my boomer friends describing nights at Studio 54, but I’ll try:

This show has EVERYTHING: @aarontveit singing in his underwear and LEAPING into his pants, Russian chess champions, @leamichele living Rachel Berry’s wildest dreams and singing like an angel, @nikriz holding a note for about 45 minutes (between Nick and @joshuahenryofficial the Burr/Heights alums are EATING EVERYONE ELSE’S LUNCH this season), MVP @thisishannahcruz singing the sickest Act 2 reprise I’ve ever heard?, @thebrycecapades guiding us through the wildest mood swings with effortless humor and grace, Michael Mayer cranking the bass amp up to 11 (bravo @ianstagramiam and this band!), and the sexiest ensemble of super athletes anywhere.

I grew up on 80s musicals but somehow missed Chess entirely: forgive me, Sir Tim and Abba men, I was not familiar with your game. This score is ****ing insane and scratches an itch my geriatric millennial heart didn’t even realize needed scratching. It’s like if you grew up loving Pearl Jam and Soundgarden but had never heard Vedder and Cornell on Hunger Strike until just now. Or discovering The Voidz after a lifetime loving The Strokes. Am I even making sense anymore lol

Leave me ALONE I’m high aF on Chess and I don’t wanna come down

(Also Lea was nice enough to sign our Drama Book Shop copy of Brunette Ambition)"

 

 

https://www.instagram.com/lin_manuel/p/DSap_EElJrJ/?hl=en

Updated On: 12/18/25 at 11:49 PM

[suzcap]

Posted: 12/19/25 at 2:40pm

She doesn't sound nasal at all. Just another Lea hater complaining and encouraging people to go when she's not there.

think its the same r*ddit person who is seeking out every chess post.

 

[quizking101]

Posted: 12/21/25 at 1:55pm

I was at the box office just now buying a ticket for Tuesday and overheard that Aaron has called out for this afternoon (12/21) and an understudy will be debuting.

TBD which understudy, and nothing is on the U/S website as of this post

[GirlFromOz68]

Posted: 12/21/25 at 2:52pm

quizking101 said: "I was at the box office just now buying a ticket for Tuesday and overheard that Aaron has called out for this afternoon (12/21) and an understudy will be debuting.

TBD which understudy, and nothing is on the U/S website as of this post"

I just checked the website and they've updated it to show he's out but its still sold out. still time for people to return tickets in the next 15 minutes though.  

Aaron to be the first lead out unscheduled was not on my bingo card.  I know one of the ensemble Ramone has been out all week with the flu and only just back today.

According to Samantha Pollino's IG stories its Adam Halpin going on for Aaron today.

Updated On: 12/21/25 at 02:52 PM

[CJRochester]

Posted: 12/21/25 at 6:13pm

GirlFromOz68 said: "According to Samantha Pollino's IG stories its Adam Halpin going on for Aaron today."

Confirmed on the new online understudy slip page. 

https://atthisplaybill.com/chess?perf=3927

 

[schubox]

Posted: 12/22/25 at 12:10pm

Thought this was a bit of a mess for me. Some things I loved, some I very much did not like, but One Night in Bangkok and the Act 1 closer from Nicholas Christopher was worth the price of admission for me. 

[shomeika]

Posted: 12/22/25 at 3:43pm

schubox said: "Thought this was a bit of a mess for me. Some things I loved, some I very much did not like,but One Night in Bangkok and the Act 1 closer from Nicholas Christopher was worth the price of admission for me."

Nick is definitely the highlight voice in the show.  IMO.   I can't wait to see him again, am curious now about understudies. 

[Kad]

Posted: 12/27/25 at 8:45pm

Late to the party but saw this today.

Incredible voices and a fascinating score, trapped inside meta commentary that undercuts everything. The plot is barely logical melodramatic camp but the score takes it seriously. I certainly enjoy watching something like that with friends and making jokes and commentary about it together! But having the Arbiter come in to comment on everything and break the fourth wall constantly is like having a friend who overestimates his wit but can’t read the room and won’t shut up. I’m surprised Danny Strong had enough restraint to not have the Arbiter say “well THAT happened!” after a dramatic turn considering everything else he’s saddled the character with saying.

That being said, it’s some of the best singing I’ve heard on Broadway in a while. Christopher steals the show and Michele completes her redemption arc here. Tveit is good in a role that gets oddly sidelined. Cruz is a forceful presence and once she’s introduced you wish she’d never leave the stage. 

Even paring down the Arbiter stuff by 25% would’ve improved this substantially. It’s baffling it wasn’t. 

[shomeika]

Posted: 12/28/25 at 6:23pm

Kad said: "Late to the party but saw this today.

Even paring down the Arbiter stuff by 25% would’ve improved this substantially. It’s baffling it wasn’t."

AMEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[quizking101]

Posted: 1/7/26 at 11:01am

Bumping this since Katerina announced she will be on as Florence this Friday 1/23

quizking101 said: "I had a long post but the damn site refreshed so I’ll do the short version about last night.

Katerina and Samantha are absolutely fabulous understudies. The former has a more steely resolve and you can see the tension in her bubbling throughout Act I, making it clear that she is not here to babysit Freddie anymore. Her chemistry with Nick was also far hotter. Since Kat’s voice is lower, she’s not going into a constant high nasal belt like Lea and when she does go for the high notes, they are THRILLING because they fit the character’s anger and pain, not just because she can.

Samantha is a far more fragile Svetlana and a lot warmerthan Hannah. Her portrayal seems more borne of genuine fear of losing her family and life, and also shows a genuine love that she may have had for Anatoly at one point.

If you end up with either understudy, you are in great hands and I would go so far as to say you should specifically seek out the days Katerina goes on for Florence. It’s a game changer (pun intended)"

 

[GirlFromOz68]

Posted: 1/7/26 at 11:41am

quizking101 said: "Bumping this since Katerina announced she will be on as Florence this Friday 1/23

quizking101 said: "I had a long post but the damn site refreshed so I’ll do the short version about last night.

Katerina and Samantha are absolutely fabulous understudies. The former has a more steely resolve and you can see the tension in her bubbling throughout Act I, making it clear that she is not here to babysit Freddie anymore. Her chemistry with Nick was also far hotter. Since Kat’s voice is lower, she’s not going into a constant high nasal belt like Lea and when she does go for the high notes, they are THRILLING because they fit the character’s anger and pain, not just because she can.

Samantha is a far more fragile Svetlana and a lot warmerthan Hannah. Her portrayal seems more borne of genuine fear of losing her family and life, and also shows a genuine love that she may have had for Anatoly at one point.

If you end up with either understudy, you are in great hands and I would go so far as to say you should specifically seek out the days Katerina goes on for Florence. It’s a game changer (pun intended)"

"

She was always going to be on 23/1 ( which is not this Friday, its two weeks away) as  Lea has had this in as a planned absence from the start of the run.  It's her husband's  birthday i believe, but you do seem to be very invested in being Katerina's publicist as others have mentioned.

I have nothing against Katerina by the way, from her social media she seems lovely before others come for me,  and i know some enjoy the chance to see understudies go on, but  its awfully obvious sometimes when some have an agenda against certain performers. 

 

Updated On: 1/7/26 at 11:41 AM

[Ball of Buttah]

Posted: 1/7/26 at 12:23pm

GirlFromOz68 said: "quizking101 said: "Bumping this since Katerina announced she will be on as Florence this Friday 1/23

quizking101 said: "I had a long post but the damn site refreshed so I’ll do the short version about last night.

Katerina and Samantha are absolutely fabulous understudies. The former has a more steely resolve and you can see the tension in her bubbling throughout Act I, making it clear that she is not here to babysit Freddie anymore. Her chemistry with Nick was also far hotter. Since Kat’s voice is lower, she’s not going into a constant high nasal belt like Lea and when she does go for the high notes, they are THRILLING because they fit the character’s anger and pain, not just because she can.

Samantha is a far more fragile Svetlana and a lot warmerthan Hannah. Her portrayal seems more borne of genuine fear of losing her family and life, and also shows a genuine love that she may have had for Anatoly at one point.

If you end up with either understudy, you are in great hands and I would go so far as to say you should specifically seek out the days Katerina goes on for Florence. It’s a game changer (pun intended)"

"

She was always going to be on 23/1 ( which is not this Friday, its two weeks away) asLea has had this in as a planned absence from the start of the run. It's her husband's birthday i believe, but you do seem to be very invested in being Katerina's publicist as others have mentioned.

I have nothing against Katerina by the way, from her social media she seems lovely before others come for me, and i know some enjoy the chance to see understudies go on, butits awfully obvious sometimes when some have an agenda against certain performers."

It happens sometimes. There were a few people who genuinely preferred Julie's Fanny over Lea's star turn. And it's okay. Now, a very few people will prefer Lea's understudy as Florence. Again, it's fine. 

I happen to be in the majority who prefer Lea as Florence. So, it's all good. 

[quizking101]

Posted: 1/7/26 at 12:32pm

1) Thank you for correcting me on the date being two weeks away.

2) I am not her effing publicist. As I stated in another thread, I don’t have anything against Lea, but I did enjoy Katerina’s by comparison. I wanted to boost my opinion since, as the date comes up, people like to wring their hands and clutch their pearls about the understudy and I want it to be a reassurance that - having seen the show 8 times now - I have some fully informed opinions.

It’s getting really vexing how people think I’m shilling when I’ve been on this board for 16 years and now all of a sudden I’m entangled in this rabid-ass witch hunt for alleged “shills”

[Mary_Poppins]

Posted: 1/7/26 at 1:32pm

You'd be much more credible if you didn't keep repeating this "constant high nasal belt" nonsense. For me that's the telltale sign.