Nicholas Christopher on his first Tony Award nomination for 'Chess'
Nicholas Christopher has also been nominated for Drama League, Drama Desk, and Outer Critics Circle Awards for his performance in the Broadway revival.
Nicholas Christopher’s Tony Award nomination celebration was a family affair. The actor, who was just nominated for Best Leading Actor in a Musical for his performance as Anatoly Sergievsky in the revival of Chess, watched the nominations live with his wife and two daughters.
“We all just started jumping around,” Christopher told New York Theatre Guide. “The girls don’t know what’s going on, really, but they saw Mommy and Daddy crying and jumping around and they followed suit.”
Though it’s his first Tony nomination, Christopher is no stranger to the Broadway stage. He played Pirelli in the 2023 revival of Sweeney Todd (and briefly took over the title role in 2024) and has starred as both George Washington and Aaron Burr in Hamilton. A Tony nomination “feels like acceptance into this community that I love so much,” he said. “We all do this to be seen and to express something about ourselves, and to be recognized for that is just over the moon for me.”
In Chess, Christopher plays the Soviet chess world champion Sergievsky as he prepares to challenge American opponent Freddie Trumper, played by Tony Award winner Aaron Tveit, in a Cold War-era face-off. Sergievsky and Trumper both grow distracted by their mutual affection for Florence Vassy (Lea Michele). In New York Theatre Guide’s review, Austin Fimmano noted that the star trio “had my audience cheering and whooping after nearly every song.”
While Christopher is excited for his first Tony nomination, he credits his co-stars for making the revival a success. “A win for one of us is a win for all of us,” he said. “My Anatoly would not be Anatoly without Lea Michele or Aaron Tveit.”
In fact, Christopher shouted out the whole team at the Imperial Theatre, from front-of-house to backstage. “What I’m most proud of is how we all are backstage with each other. We’ve built a real community with everybody backstage at the theatre,” he said. “It’s hard to keep the culture in the theatre uplifted and grateful for the fact that we get to do this every day. That’s what I’m most proud of.”
Get Chess tickets on New York Theatre Guide.
Photo credit: Nicholas Christopher and the cast of Chess on Broadway. (Photo by Matthew Murphy)
Frequently asked questions
What are the songs in Chess?
The songs in Chess are by some of the members of ABBA and offer audiences a pop-rock filled score with a beating heart and stirring vocals. Oft-recorded songs include "Anthem" and "Nobody's Side."
Who directs Chess?
Michael Mayer, a Tony winner for Spring Awakening, directs.
Who wrote Chess?
Tony winner Tim Rice had the original idea, and now it features a new book by Emmy winner Danny Strong with songs from ABBA’s Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus.
Where is Chess playing?
Chess is playing at Imperial Theatre. The theatre is located at 249 West 45th Street (between Broadway and 8th Avenue), New York, 10036.
How long is Chess?
The running time of Chess is 2hr 40min. Incl. 1 intermission.
How do you book tickets for Chess?
Book tickets for Chess on New York Theatre Guide.
What's the age recommendation for Chess?
The recommended age for Chess is Ages 12+. Children under 4 years old will not be admitted..
What is Chess about?
Chess follows a taut tournament as an American and Russian chess player comer together to compete, not just for first place but also for a woman's heart.
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