Instagram/@leamichele
Lea Michele’s performance in the musical ‘Chess’, which was revived on Broadway, was even called by The New York Times one of the best moments in theater, and thus this already awarded performer raises once again the question of the possibility of a Tony Award for her.
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But it is checkmate for sure! The official Twitter account for Broadway show ‘Chess’ made a very powerful but at the same time simple announcement that showed that, according to The New York Times, Lea Michele had the best performance of the season in the theatre. This endorsement of such a significant journal is a major theatre honor and is quite often considered a precursor to the awards season. For Michele, a performer who has been connected to Broadway krespect since her child days, this acknowledgment only adds up to her glory.
The digital response was very fast and totally positive. The emotion that has been most voicing was the calling for higher awards. One netizen wrote quite simply, ‘And the Tony goes to…’, and did not finish the sentence making it sound as if the conclusion was inevitable. Another person tagged the account of the official Tony Awards, saying, ‘give this woman a Tony Award finally!’ The theme of deferred recognition was a common thought among many comments, showing a long-standing belief in Michele’s talent.
The audience had their say with their close impressions. Some reviewers had very strong feelings. ‘I was there and cried in a very emotional way – Lea is soooo good,’ one critic wrote, and she articulated the intense impact of the performer very well. A fellow uttered the same effect and stated, ‘It was totally unbelievable. I haven’t seen her/them for almost a week but I’m still getting the buzz! She is ridiculously talented! It was a great experience to see her!’ Such a high-spirited personal assessment shows that Michele’s acting is indeed reaching the watchers very deeply.
However, the praises brought up practical issues. Many people would like to have the production’s music, which was the main topic of the comments. ‘I just saw it tonight and I’m gonna need a cast recording like yesterday k thx,’ one fan said and the same thought was expressed by another who said, ‘Preciso dessas músicas no Spotify pra já!’ meaning ‘I need these songs on Spotify right now!’ The community’s demand for a cast album is proof that the show’s songs are very strong and not just passing through.
Globally, there was a component of the excitement, with fans asking for the show to be taken on the road. One comment stated, ‘Só falta vir pro Brasil. Eu ia emtn,’ which means, ‘It just has to come to Brazil. I would go there a lot.’ This shows that Michele’s appeal is all over the world and it is because of her that this well-known musical has a unique and special attraction.
Among all positive comments, there was one negative, however, which claimed, ‘Sadly, when I watched the production, she very obviously, if not literally, closed the door on her performance. It made me really sad.’ This one negative comment did not last long, though, as it was very quickly followed by a reply that stated it was wrong criticism, morally speaking, if not actually. This little dialogue gives us a clue about the strength of the passionate supporters, as the majority of the audience will not accept even the tiniest suggestion of a poor performance.
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The general response presents a rather unambiguous picture: Lea Michele in ‘Chess’ is regarded as a career-high. The New York Times’ acknowledgment has functioned as a catalyst, changing the audience’s silence into a loud public demand for award consideration. For the fans of Michele and the theatre, this moment is not a surprise but a long-awaited recognition. Many believe the stage is set for what will be an unavoidable path to the Tony Awards next June. Her recent dramatic photoshoot for Interview Magazine showcased another side of her artistry. The celebration of opening night was a memorable event for the cast. This milestone comes after her meaningful return to Broadway’s Imperial Theatre after three decades. Her enduring friendship with Jonathan Groff also highlights her long-standing connections in the theater community.
