CHESS (2025 Broadway Revival) Reviews- Page 8

[MemorableUserName]

Posted: 1/7/26 at 3:42pm

quizking101 said: "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”"

You've been around long enough that the sane and sensible board members (few though they may be) know your opinions are honest and trust you mean what you say, even if they don't agree with them. (And you've certainly contributed more than most of these people.) The fact that you're one of the few people here whose identity is openly available only adds to your credibility.

Anyone who screeches about shills and accuses people of being publicists, especially when they themselves are anonymous and could be anyone at all, aren't worth the time or energy. In this case the people getting offended are the Chess and Lea Michele fans who won't stand for anything less than glowing to be said about their show or queen (some of whom aren't even in this country and haven't seen the show...), and that's exactly who would be camped out in this thread. They really aren't worth worrying about, or anything at all.

[GirlFromOz68]

Posted: 1/7/26 at 4:59pm

In other news, a friend who still uses the hellsite aka X, told me that a few days ago the person running the Chess X account responded to someone asking for the cast album with good things come to those who wait.  Hopefully this is a sign they might be recording it soon.

[GirlFromOz68]

Posted: 1/7/26 at 5:14pm

MemorableUserName said: "quizking101 said: "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”"

You've been around long enough that the sane and sensible board members (few though they may be) know your opinions are honest and trust you mean what yousay, even if they don't agree with them. (And you've certainly contributed more than most of these people.) The fact that you're one of the few people here whose identity is openly available only adds to your credibility.

Anyone who screeches about shills and accuses people of being publicists, especially when they themselves are anonymous and could be anyone at all, aren't worth thetime or energy. In this case the people getting offended are the Chess and Lea Michele fans who won't stand for anything less than glowing to be said about their show or queen (some of whom aren't even in this country and haven't seen the show...), and that's exactly who would be camped out in this thread. They really aren't worth worrying about, or anything at all."

yes horrible people like me who aren't American should be just run out of this thread.

I would love to come to NYC and see this show but unfortunately ive been too outspoken about the lunatic running your country on social media so I would either be deported or locked up in the so called Land of the Free and Home of the Brave ( and boy isn't that a misnomer).

I've actually been a Chess fan for several decades before I even knew who Lea was and as ive said before its not about preferences or criticism in general of a performer but there  is a definite pattern where people tend to come in with a predetermined view of some performers and never give them a chance as they put them in a box.

Lea is not my Queen and I'm not someone who expects anybody to like the same performers i do nor do i expect no criticism of them.  I see some fans of performers,  including Lea, who make me cringe with their need for everyone to love them and thats not how the world works I just prefer that they aren't constantly popping up to belt them or claim things about them that aren't true eg when I think nasal re singing I think Idina not Lea.

Also to the previous poster, no I dont think you are her actual publicist, you just are coming off as behaving like you are when you pop up at every opportunity to make clear you want people to go to the show when Lea is out.

Updated On: 1/7/26 at 05:14 PM

[NoOneMustEverKnow]

Posted: 1/7/26 at 7:39pm

GirlFromOz68, no one is saying you should be run out of the thread.

[suzcap]

Posted: 1/8/26 at 2:29am

Just notifying people Katerina will be on Jan. 23rd would have sufficed.

[NoOneMustEverKnow]

Posted: 1/8/26 at 6:11am

GirlFromOz68, no one is saying you should be run out of the thread.

[mitchern]

Posted: 1/8/26 at 7:19am

Any word if we're getting a cast recording? 

[Mary_Poppins]

Posted: 1/8/26 at 7:27am

mitchern said: "Any word if we're getting a cast recording?"

Post #176

Also, their ticket concierge hints at it when you ask for "recording".

[Mary_Poppins]

Posted: 1/8/26 at 7:50am

GirlFromOz68 said: "In other news, a friend who still uses the hellsite aka X, told me that a few days ago the person running the Chess X account responded to someone asking for the cast album with good things come to those who wait. Hopefully this is a sign they might be recording it soon."

https://nitter.privacyredirect.com/mariabelle22/status/2007177691448172931#m

hope this access method works for everybody

[NoOneMustEverKnow]

Posted: 1/8/26 at 11:27am

GirlFromOz68, no one is saying you should be run out of the thread.

[everythingtaboo]

Posted: 1/8/26 at 2:22pm

Saw the show last night.

First things first: are they blasting the AC at every show? I was front orchestra and we were all shivering if we couldn't manage to sit with our coats on. The curtain was literally swaying from the AC.

As for the show, I still don't know what to make of it.

SO much talent on the stage, though I wonder how the female understudies are, because while Lea was superb vocally, her performance lacked any real depth. As for Hannah Cruz, I just didn't much from her, and I was in the fifth row, so I have to wonder how she read from the rear of the house. Aaron and Nicholas were outstanding. Aaron is working his ass off, and sings with such power and emotion. I must say perhaps due to the stoic nature of the character Nicholas' book scenes didn't really impress me. But when he sang? Wowza. Dynamite. Also kudos to the other gents, who were all great.

 The songs rocked, even if the lyrics made as little sense as the new book. I'll admit I don't know how different it is from the previous book, there were plenty of times were I just stopped caring, or was just confused. 

Production was cool, but I was confused a bit by the sound. Seemed like at times it was too loud to be decipherable, but then the volume went down mid-note. (Maybe the board op was early on their cues?)

In all I'm glad to see it, and I could see myself listening to a new cast recording - or even going back if the female leads were on, and maybe Casey was on as Anatoly - but I don't know if I'd recommend it, unless someone just wanted to see some vocal fireworks on display.

[Mary_Poppins]

Posted: 1/9/26 at 6:11am

Pretty good interview with Nick:

https://playbill.com/article/nicholas-christopher-is-giving-a-star-making-performance-in-chess-on-broadway-hes-not-letting-it-get-to-his-head-though

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 1/9/26 at 2:17pm

Their digital ad strategy feels desperate. Celeb visitors, the Heated Rivalry thing, etc.

Maybe it's working. Or maybe they're really scared of their advance...looks like they have a TON of seats available in February, which isn't the end of the world (people buy later), but there could be a softening in the demand.

[quizking101]

Posted: 1/9/26 at 2:47pm

To my understanding, their breakeven is around $900K - and they’ve been making twice that and then some on a weekly basis.

I know from experience that I’ve looked at the Telecharge map on the day of the show (usually to explore possible discounts or rush options) and while it looks half full at the start of the day, by showtime, the house is almost nearly full.

One pattern I notice is that, the closer you get to showtime, especially for midweek performances, the “partial view” seats in the extreme sides of the mezz and orchestra can go down to $74 (or $59 at the box office). They definitely discount, but not in the traditional way.

FWIW, I put it in quotes because, honestly, there is really nothing missed other than some entrances/exits and maybe some of the back wall projections - though that minimizes if you are further back. Personally, rear orchestra house left is my go-to because nothing happens really on the stage right staircase area.

[GirlFromOz68]

Posted: 1/9/26 at 4:08pm

We see a lot of talk here and elsewhere about entitled fans at stage doors and I am often rolling my eyes at how entitled some people are at stage doors so when I saw this I wanted to post it as it is the very opposite of entitled.  

 

https://vt.tiktok.com/ZS5VPLK6H/

[GirlFromOz68]

Posted: 1/9/26 at 4:23pm

quizking101 said: "To my understanding, their breakeven is around $900K - and they’ve been making twice that and then some on a weekly basis.

I know from experience that I’ve looked at the Telecharge map on the day of the show (usually to explore possible discounts or rush options) and while it looks half full at the start of the day, by showtime, the house is almost nearly full.

One pattern I notice is that, the closer you get to showtime, especially for midweek performances, the “partial view” seats in the extreme sides of the mezz and orchestra can go down to $74 (or $59 at the box office). They definitely discount, but not in the traditional way.

FWIW, I put it in quotes because, honestly, there is really nothing missed other than some entrances/exits and maybe some of the back wall projections - though that minimizes if you are further back. Personally, rear orchestra house left is my go-to because nothing happens really on the stage right staircase area."

you are pretty spot in with how Chess sells as I've been following it out if interest given how far ahead people buy their tickets has changed so much.

Friday to Sunday are usually 75% to 90%  sold a week or two out and weekdays about 50% sold. 

The exception so far ( including 23rd January coming up) is when Lea has a scheduled absence and 2 weeks out that is only about 30% sold even with some big discounts already in place,  however if it follows the pattern of her December scheduled absences,  they will more sharply discount closer to 23rd and while it will not sell out the big discounts will sell a decent amount of tickets. I assume the same will happen in March when Aaron is scheduled to have four performances off.

In the last few days before performances they sell a lot of tickets and then day of, even if there are several hundred tickets left for mid week performances they always get sold.

The people who track the rush say they only guarantee the 8 box seats for rush and then later in the day offer those $79 partial view seats.

So no, I don't see a softening of demand. in its early weeks Chess sold more slowly than it is now.  they were only selling well week of, now they are selling fairly well several weeks out as positive word of mouth from audiences ( if not from some critics) has spread. 

I have to say it has surprised me. I thought they were too ambitious taking the Imperial and should have been in a 1100-1200 seat theatre and that they would hit in the $1.2-$.13M a week range so they have far exceeded my expectations. 

Updated On: 1/9/26 at 04:23 PM

[suzcap]

Posted: 1/9/26 at 11:21pm

HUGE grain of salt from tiktok album discussion on 1/8/26...

SarahKC

Nicholas Christopher told us (at stage door last weekend) the instrumental tracks were getting laid down next week

[quizking101]

Posted: 1/10/26 at 5:22am

GirlFromOz68 said: "The people who track the rush say they only guarantee the 8 box seats for rush and then later in the day offer those $79 partial view seats.

They have a total of 20 box seats (Three tiers - 2, 4, and 4). I’ve been told they are all withheld from public sale with the exception of Rush, mostly because I’ve had the accessibility fight with them a few times since I am far too large/uncomfortable in regular seats and don’t mind the partial view if it means my legs aren’t hard pressed into the seat in front of me.

I’ve mentioned this before though - if you are going to rush and it seems like you won’t be getting a box, make sure you look at the the TeleCharge map while you wait and see the prices there. I’ve mentioned before that I previously got offered a “$79 premium rush” price on a seat that had been discounted down to $74 ($59 + $15 fee) on the website already, so I said I would decline the rush price and instead buy it for $59 as shown on the site - which they honored.

Basically, the “premium rush” is only a deal if the seat they offer you is more than $94 ($79 + $15 fee) on the Telecharge website. Otherwise, it’s not a deal.

 

Playbill Sale: https://ebay.us/m/dVX637

[NoOneMustEverKnow]

Posted: 1/10/26 at 6:54am

GirlFromOz68, no one is saying you should be run out of the thread.

[Claudia Draper]

Posted: 1/12/26 at 2:17pm

 

Saw this on Saturday night and have to say this is really great. Went into the show not knowing much besides the social media posts I’ve seen.
 

The 3 leads are truly incredible. Christopher is an absolute showstopper and Michele has never sounded better. My favorite moment of hers was the softer side of the character in “Heaven Help My Heart.” Really beautiful moment.

 

I was most impressed with Tveit though. Pity The Child left me jaw-dropped, not sure the last time in a theater I had felt so moved. I’m not super familiar with other leading actors this year besides Joshua Henry, but would really love to see Aaron have a chance at the Tony.

 

My main issue (and it seems with many others) lies with the character of the Arbiter. I found the jokes to get old VERY quickly, and while many at the beginning of the show get a laugh, by the end they all fell pretty flat.

 

The ensemble doesn’t have a ton to do, but they are all clearly very passionate about the show and giving their moments their all. 

 

Overall, I’d recommend this to anyone as it really does feel like a must see. 

 

[Ball of Buttah]

Posted: 1/20/26 at 1:06pm

To no one's surprise, they have extended to June 14. Raising speculation on whether they extend again... probably based on if Lea wants to continue and/if they recoup. But, the most pressing question is when that damn cast album is going to drop!

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 1/20/26 at 1:12pm

Ball of Buttah said: "To no one's surprise, they have extended to June 14. Raising speculation on whether they extend again... probably based on if Lea wants to continue and/if they recoup. But, the most pressing question is when that damn cast album is going to drop!"

Did they record one yet?

[GirlFromOz68]

Posted: 1/20/26 at 3:59pm

CATSNYrevival said: "Ball of Buttah said: "To no one's surprise, they have extended to June 14. Raising speculation on whether they extend again... probably based on if Lea wants to continue and/if they recoup. But, the most pressing question is when that damn cast album is going to drop!"

Did they record one yet?"

not as far as we know.  Someone said recently that Nik told them at the stage door a few weeks ago that the orchestra was laying down tracks the next week but we know nothing beyond that.

[Jg2019]

Posted: 1/20/26 at 5:02pm

quizking101 said: "To my understanding, their breakeven is around $900K - and they’ve been making twice that and then some on a weekly basis.

I know from experience that I’ve looked at the Telecharge map on the day of the show (usually to explore possible discounts or rush options) and while it looks half full at the start of the day, by showtime, the house is almost nearly full.

One pattern I notice is that, the closer you get to showtime, especially for midweek performances, the “partial view” seats in the extreme sides of the mezz and orchestra can go down to $74 (or $59 at the box office). They definitely discount, but not in the traditional way.

FWIW, I put it in quotes because, honestly, there is really nothing missed other than some entrances/exits and maybe some of the back wall projections - though that minimizes if you are further back. Personally, rear orchestra house left is my go-to because nothing happens really on the stage right staircase area."

Maybe it was just my luck of going kid January, but they lowered the $114 partials to $59 in the orchestra a few days before the day i wanted to go.  I flew in and went to the box office and they sold me the seats i wanted (orch row J very end) for $49 each (since no fees in person) and it was for the next day so i took that as a win since that’s basically rush price. 

[suzcap]

Posted: 1/22/26 at 12:12pm

Well the Chess instagram account is teasing a album so...