IN CONVERSATION WITH HANNAH CRUZ

interview by JANA LETONJA
photography JENNY ANDERSON

Hannah Cruz is making another powerful return to Broadway this fall, starring as Svetlana in the highly anticipated revival of ‘CHESS’ alongside Lea Michele and Aaron Tveit. Fresh off her breakout Broadway debut as Inez Milholland in ‘SUFFS’, a performance that earned her a Clarence Derwent Award and critical praise from Variety for being “grand and touching”, she is quickly becoming one of the most compelling new leading ladies in American theater. Beyond the stage, she recently wrapped production on Richard Linklater’s ‘Merrily We Roll Along’ for Netflix, and will star in upcoming Peacock show 'The Copenhagen Test'.

‘CHESS’ is such an iconic and musically complex show. What excited you most about joining this new revival?

I grew up going to every Roundabout revival I could, ‘The Apple Tree’, ‘110 in the Shade’, ‘Pal Joey’, ‘On The Twentieth Century’. Those were always the shows I was most drawn to. There’s something about a score with an overture that will always feel so Broadway to me, and ‘CHESS’ in particular is a score I’ve been listening to since high school. There’s also the added element of the new book, so I am able to help birth something new all while singing a thrilling score.

How does it feel stepping into Svetlana’s world, and how are you approaching her character differently from past interpretations?

I went and watched the 1988 original production at the Lincoln Center library, and was very interested to see that Svetlana was portrayed very differently than anything I had pictured in working through the material. However, I think the space she takes up in our version of the story serves the same purpose and because the trajectory is always the same, my intention getting there changes nightly. It changes show to show whether I love Anatoly or not. And getting to mold myself into those different corners has been satisfying. I’m really looking forward to learning more as we get more shows in.

The show has legendary music by ABBA’s Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus. Do you have a favorite song or moment in the score?

‘One Night in Bangkok’ has always been my favorite and watching them build that number in particular has been pretty extraordinary. Another one I can’t help but dance to backstage is the ‘Arbiters’ song, which was written by ABBA. They know how to write a bop.

You’re starring alongside Lea Michele and Aaron Tveit. What has it been like building chemistry with such powerhouse performers?

I just found a picture from 2008 of me and Lea at the stage door of ‘Spring Awakening. Revisiting those past moments is wild. There’s no way she or I could know where we would be now in 2025, but it’s so exciting to see what time can do. Aaron is someone I’ve listened to and watched forever, and getting to witness his work ethic in person is quite amazing. They both take such care of their work and it’s been so inspiring to witness first hand. I also must mention Nicholas Christopher. We did the tour of ‘Hamilton’ briefly together back in 2018 and I just think he’s a terrific scene partner. He’s such an alive actor and I know I can try things, and he’ll be right there with me.

‘CHESS’ has always been a story about love, power, and politics. Do you find any modern parallels in its themes today?

I think the lines drawn by Danny Strong to today’s political landscape are eerie. I heard a story about John Kander where someone was interviewing him about the ‘Cabaret’ revival. They asked him how it felt that the show was still so relevant today and he responded with something like “Yes, and isn’t that depressing”. That’s another reasons revivals are great conduits of art, they’re received in their original time and in the future. It is like time travel through theater.

What does returning to Broadway mean to you personally after the success of ‘SUFFS’?

Broadway is such a special place. There is always an element of “I may never get back here” and so you soak up all you can. To be right next door to the Music Box where we did ‘SUFFS’ has been special. I get to see the security team there that I love so much, and I do just love our block on 46th street.

Winning the Clarence Derwent Award so early in your Broadway career must have been surreal. What did that recognition mean to you?

That came as a major surprise to me. I just got a phone call one morning and of course I thought it was spam. But to be seen by my peers means a great deal, especially during such a very busy season for me. I was doing ‘The Connector’ at MCC at night and rehearsing for ‘SUFFS’ during the day. To get through all that I just kind of had to put my head down and do it, and to resurface and receive that honor was wonderful. I really treasure that award.

‘SUFFS’ celebrated the voices of women who fought for change. How do you see your work as a continuation of that legacy of representation on stage?

Presenting fully fleshed out, human, fallible, amazing and complex women is my goal. I process most of my emotions through performing and through consuming art. I’ve discovered so much of what I can be through other women’s performances and if I can do that for anyone else, I’m happy.

You recently wrapped ‘Merrily We Roll Along’ with Richard Linklater, Paul Mescal, Ben Platt, and Beanie Feldstein. How did it feel to be part of a project with that kind of creative patience?

I’ll let you know in 15 years when we finish. I’ve filmed one section so far and I go back next year to film the next, but even those first few days on set I learned a lot. Linklater is a master at what he does. Paul, Ben, Beanie, and Mallory welcomed me with open arms. I’m really looking forward to the future with the film.

Theater can be incredibly demanding both physically and emotionally. How do you stay grounded and preserve your voice, literally and figuratively?

I’m a regimented person even when I’m not working, so I actually do pretty well being busy. Not saying I’m not immune to burn out and getting overwhelmed, but I take a ton of supplements, am very dedicated to my skin care and eat super clean. All things that just gives me the false sense that I have some sort of control. As far as staying emotionally grounded, I’ve found that the simple act of a hot shower right when I get back from the show at night helps me literally and figuratively wash off that evening’s show, good or bad, and move on to myself again.

Between Broadway, film, and television, what’s your biggest dream or goal for this next chapter of your career?

I mean, if we’re talking biggest, I want to play Blanche DuBois in ‘Streetcar’. I really am aching to do a play. I’m also a big big fan of Grant Singer and would love to work with him. Also Yorgos Lanthimos and Luca Guadagnino. And Aaron Sorkin. Ok I’m done, but after shooting ‘Merrily We Roll Along’ and working on ‘The Copenhagen Test’, I’ve really found myself bitten by the film bug and I’m so inspired by these filmmakers. I very much realize I’ve named some massive names, but you did say biggest dream.