Broadway Fans Are Furious Over ‘Chess’ Tony Awards Snub

The Tony Awards will air on CBS on June 7, 2026, and fans learned which shows were nominated on May 5.

Broadway goers were in an uproar over Chess not getting nominated for Best Revival of a Musical.

Chess received five nominations, including Lead Actor in a Musical for star Nicholas Christopher.

Tony Awards season is here, and one show’s fate has fans riled up.

The awards are set for Sunday, June 7, 2026, and fans are ready to celebrate the year’s biggest productions. One of the most-talked-about shows this year was Chess, a rock opera telling the story of two rival chess grandmasters as they compete for a world championship. Their feud spans beyond their countries, the U.S.A. and the U.S.S.R., and includes a love triangle. The revival opened in November 2025 and stars Lea Michele, Nicholas Christopher, and Aaron Tveit.

Given how much love Chess has gotten from theater-goers and the press, folks were shocked to learn its fate during the 2026 Tony Awards nominations announcement on May 5. While Nicholas, actor Bryce Pinkham, and actress Hannah Cruz received nods for Lead Actor in a Musical, Featured Actor in a Musical, and Featured Actress in a Musical, respectively, the show lost the nomination to potentially win Best Revival of a Musical.

“The nominees for Best Revival of a Musical are …,” the caption read on Instagram, showcasing the nominees Ragtime, Cats: The Jellicle Ball, and Richard O’Brien’s The Rocky Horror Show.

As soon as fans caught wind of Chess’s snub, they took to the comments.

“This is wrong guys. You forgot to mention Chess,” one person lamented. “Chess getting so snubbed is crazy 😭😭😭,” another agreed. “Okay I’m sorry who was on the Tony’s team and who has beef with chess??!!” a different follower added.

However, the show’s Instagram account commented on Nicholas’ major career achievement.

“Tony Award nominee @nikriz ♟️,” the caption read.

Congrats!