Tony nominee Hannah Cruz is using Broadway's biggest awards season to shine a spotlight on two people she believes should have been standing alongside her. The Chess star recently said that co-stars Lea Michele and Aaron Tveit deserved recognition from Tony voters for their performances in the acclaimed revival.

Speaking with Variety at the Tonys, Cruz was asked whether there were any performers she wished had been included among this year's nominees. Rather than focusing on her own first Tony nomination, the actress immediately turned the conversation toward Michele and Tveit, who led the production as Florence Vassy and Freddie Trumper, respectively.

"I think it's obvious…My castmates Lea Michele and Aaron Tveit. I think they're doing remarkable work on that stage every night. I get to watch it close up and I've been watching it for months and I think they're remarkable," Cruz told Variety.

"And also Bradley Dean as Molokov is incredible. He's incredible and I just want him to get his flowers," Cruz added further.

Their absence from this year's nominations became a talking point among most theater fans, particularly given the attention surrounding Chess throughout its Broadway run. While the revival secured several nominations, neither Michele nor Tveit earned individual recognition from the Tony Awards nominating committee.

Cruz, who received her first-ever Tony nomination for her performance as Svetlana, said her perspective comes from watching their work night after night. The actress is among several Chess cast members recognized this season, helping keep the production firmly in the awards conversation despite some notable omissions.

But while Cruz's comments focused on Michele and Tveit, the conversation surrounding Chess extends beyond just two performers.

Why did the Chess nominations became one of this year's biggest Tony talking points?

Part of the discussion stems from the profile of the show's leading stars. Lea Michele's performance attracted significant attention throughout the season, with many fans hoping the longtime Broadway performer would finally earn her first Tony nomination after years of acclaimed stage work. Aaron Tveit, meanwhile, entered the season as a previous Tony winner following his celebrated run in Moulin Rouge!.

Despite those expectations, the nominations ultimately went elsewhere. Still, Chess was far from shut out. The revival earned five Tony nominations, including recognition for Cruz, Nicholas Christopher, Bryce Pinkham, and the show's orchestrations, ensuring the production remained part of the awards conversation heading into Broadway's biggest night.

Whether theater fans agree with Cruz's assessment or not, her comments underscore the strong support within the Chess company as the cast prepares to celebrate another Tony Awards season together.

Do you agree with Hannah Cruz that Lea Michele and Aaron Tveit were among this year's biggest Tony Awards omissions? Let us know in the comments.

Written by

Aarav Poonia

Edited by

Itti Mahajan