Chess in February question (Understudies)

[Keiichi2]

Posted: 11/28/25 at 9:20pm

I'm going to be in NY February 21 to the 25, and am looking at tickets for Chess while I am there.  During a few of the dates I am looking at, it says Lea Michele will not be performing.  On one of the other dates, it says that Aaron Tveit will not be performing.

For those who have seen it, who would be the safer bet to miss and go with the understudy?  

[quizking101]

Posted: 11/28/25 at 9:27pm

Considering there is no comparison to speak of right now, it’s really a matter of personal taste of who you want to see more. Honestly, I think skipping Lea would be your better bet personally. I like Aaron’s synergy with Nicholas as Anatoly.

[Lot666]

Posted: 11/29/25 at 10:44am

If I had to choose, I would book a performance without Tveit; IMO, he's the weakest link. I'd like to know if someone else could salvage "One Night In Bangkok".

Updated On: 11/29/25 at 10:44 AM

[FolliesCabaret]

Posted: 11/29/25 at 10:50am

I believe Tveit is giving the best performance of his career, but I also agree that he's the weakest link here and you'd be better off seeing Lea and Nicholas.

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 11/29/25 at 1:13pm

If I had to pick one of them to be out, I would go with Aaron Tveit. He is certainly giving a very solid performance, but I thought Nicholas Christopher and Lea Michele's performances were far superior.

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 11/29/25 at 1:22pm

Lea and Nicholas are brilliant in the show. Don't miss them.

[quizking101]

Posted: 11/29/25 at 1:46pm

It’s weird because had this come up a month ago, I would’ve said skip Tveit but I feel like he’s grown quite a bit while Lea has remained a bit static