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Broadway musical ‘Chess’ medley was performed on The Tonight Show by Lea Michele, Aaron Tveit, and Nik Riz, thus making the production’s brilliant music known to the entire nation. The moment also highlighted the talents of the leading actors – the rejuvenated main cast, who also got to appear live on this prestigious program. The performance thus becomes a major promotional activity for the theater, bringing the excitement of the theater into the viewers’ homes.
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The singing was fabulous and it was a superb performance of the musical’s well-known score, hence the public was always applauding it and so were the critics. The video depicted the three performing the renowned piece ‘One Night in Bangkok’ and also introducing other sections, which was really a showcase of their vocal talents and acting that made the revival a must-see. It was a very rare thing for many to experience the chemistry and power of this particular cast.
The feedback for the show’s performance was very positive, with many praise going to the singers personally. The audience was mesmerized by one of the singers, and one of them commented “I am a fan of Aaron but awesome Nick what a voice!” This astonishment and appreciation for Nik Riz’s part was very common. One more comment simply put it, “Aaron’s voice is beyond perfect,” and so it was showing the high regard of Aaron Tveit’s already established talent.
The thrill of the TV spot was not the only factor but it also raised the anticipation for the whole stage setting. One person said, “The show was awesome!! We need to go again. The performances are fantastic and the orchestra is brilliant!!” Such a response indicates that the televised performance was very successful in portraying the atmosphere of the live event. A different viewer stated the unromantic side of theater, commenting, “I would say that just listening to this song is worth the price of admission.” So, the link between the actors and the audience can be drawn straight away due to the theatrical exposure.
One of the topics was the request for a lasting recording of the cast’s performance. “The complete cast album cannot be delayed any longer,” one audience member shouted, while another voice enthusiastically supported, “Pls we NEED A CAST ALBUM @chessbway !!!!! LIKE NOW!!!!!” This yearning indicates how much the audience has become used to this particular interpretation of the score. The performance also got the audience to converse more about the cast and one internet user stating, “I dread this show was perfectly cast,” was a clear indication that there was already chemistry between the actors and their roles.
The public was fully aware of the advantages of Broadway being visible to a wider audience. One grateful viewer exclaimed, “I really appreciate that Broadway is getting a chance to be seen and heard in places like this and I am not obliged to wait till the Tony’s to see these artists.” Thus, the need for the The Tonight Show-type shows that help alleviate the NYC-based theater access barrier for the rest of the country. The segment did a great service by being like a bridge and providing a sneak peek of a fabulous Broadway production to the audience from coast to coast.
There were both the music and the male cast, who got a major part of the golden spot, but the show stirred talks about the stars’ power and slight recognition. One commentator also said: “Aaron Tveit should be 20x more famous than he is. once in a generation talent.” This remark reflects the viewpoint of a section of the theater audience that the top talents on Broadway are very gifted so why should they not be as famous as the ordinary. Appearance on The Tonight Show is actually a big leap towards that goal.
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Lea Michele, Aaron Tveit, and Nik Riz’s The Tonight Show segment was the prime example of what a good marketing piece should do: It featured top-notch talent, aroused great interest in the original work, and made the audience ask for more. In addition, the showcasing of a powerful segment from the ‘Chess’ revival not only entertained the national audience but also significantly improved the image of a big Broadway production, and thus, it was musical theater’s large-scale lasting appeal that proved its power once again. Lea Michele recently shared a backstage glimpse of the Broadway ‘Chess’ production. Additionally, Lea Michele posted behind-the-scenes photos with Jonathan Groff. Lea Michele also looked stunning in press day photos for the revival. Lea Michele also celebrated her Broadway legacy in a new Elle magazine feature.
