CHESS (2025 Broadway Revival) Reviews — Page 7

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 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 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.

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 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 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 :)

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 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

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.

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.

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 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.

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.