Episode Overview

Podcast: BroadwayRadio – Class Notes
Episode: Regine Sophia in “Chess”
Date: April 8, 2026
Host: Lauren Schneider
Guest: Regine Sophia, cast member in "Chess" at the Imperial Theater

This episode of Class Notes spotlights Regine Sophia's journey to making her Broadway debut in the musical "Chess." Regine shares her experiences—from audition to opening night—offering an inspiring narrative of determination, excitement, and gratitude. The conversation offers a behind-the-scenes look at the process of joining a Broadway production and the emotional highs of achieving a life-long dream.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Opening Night: The Magic and the Madness

[00:41 - 02:37]

• Regine describes her Broadway debut night as "truly magical," wishing she could relive it.
• The day began with “texts from hundreds of people” wishing her luck, and a “buzz” of excitement as she headed to the theater.
• Emotional chaos backstage: “hundreds of people running up and down the stairs, dropping off letters with flowers, like, literally on each staircase. It was like the most beautifully orchestrated opening night. Like, whirlwind, literally.” (Regine, [00:57])
• She recalls special moments: the legacy robe ceremony, preshow photo shoots, getting ready with “pin curls,” and surprise visits from the director.
• Key quote:

  "I felt like I was truly a sponge trying to absorb every second and every ounce of... the legacy robe ceremonies, the pre show photo shoots that a couple of us did, and prepping for the show itself..." (Regine, [01:24])

2. First Preview: Realizing the Dream

[02:37 - 04:39]

• The first preview was October 15th. At first, Regine thought it would be just another show, as in her prior experiences.
• An hour before curtain, castmates reminded her: “you’re technically Broadway debuting today.” The weight of the moment suddenly hit.
• She describes her heart “beating out of my chest,” and the audience’s energy from the overture as “indescribably... beautiful and surreal.”
• Memorable moment:

  “Nothing could have ever prepared me for that.” (Regine, [04:30])

3. First Rehearsal: Meeting Her Idols

[04:39 - 06:16]

• "It felt like the first day of school," Regine says, full of excitement and nerves.
• Surreal to see names like Lea Michele, Aaron Tveit, and Nicholas Christopher—whom she’s admired for years—on the call sheet.
• Key quote:

  “I felt like I could actively feel the dream come to life. On the first day of rehearsal, walking into that room, seeing my role models as real life people, it was so special and so exciting...” (Regine, [05:27])

4. The Audition Process: A Whirlwind Story

[06:16 - 18:39]

a. The Self-Tape & Callbacks

• After graduating from Penn State with a BFA in Musical Theatre and a minor in Psychology (May 2025), Regine performed in regional shows including "Bring It On" and "Newsies."
• In July, while performing "Newsies," she received a self-tape audition request for "Chess," taped in her Kansas Airbnb.

b. Survival Mode & New York Callback

• Juggled the callback during "Newsies" tech—flew to New York, “makeup in the holding room, got dressed...with my luggage in hand.” ([07:30])
• Memorable encounter:

  “I bumped into none other than our new book writer, Danny Strong...He saw my luggage and he started talking about where I was flying from and Penn State...” ([09:01])

• Danny Strong hints at another callback by saying, “I’ll see you tomorrow,” to which Regine quips, “my jaw dropped, my eyes popped out of my head.” ([09:35])

c. The Dancing Callback & The “Knee Pads” Moment

• Regine was asked to bring “ballet slippers, sneakers, heels, and knee pads” – causing anxiety about what would be required.
• Relief: her recent "Newsies" run had her “stamina up” for the dance combination.
• She sang again and returned to the audition room for what she thought might be another round—inside, the entire creative team was “standing up.”
• The director, Michael Mayer, tells her, “oh, I’m so sorry, we forgot one thing,” making her fear she needed her knee pads. Instead,

  “He said, you booked the job. And I…I just remember my mind went blank…No words came out of my mouth at that point.” ([13:46])

• Her reaction:

  "The only word that could come out of my mouth was, wait. I just said, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait..." ([14:27])

d. Emotional Call to Her Mom

• Regine’s mother was in the Philippines—a 12-13 hour time difference—so Regine called her in the middle of the night to share the news.

  “I told her, I said, mom, I booked Broadway. And I remember in that changing room, her and I were just crying together. It was so special...” ([17:10])

• The moment was the culmination of a lifelong dream:

  “As a theater kid, I’ve always dreamt of having, like, what would that moment be like when you finally realize that something you’ve wanted for so long ... when it actually happens, like, what would it be like? And the fact that it did happen, all of my emotions started flooding out and I was, like, sharing it with my mom, which was really, really special...” ([17:28])

5. Reflection & Gratitude

[18:39-19:07]

• Lauren praises Regine for her “joy and enthusiasm and excitement and incredible hard work and focus and devotion and discipline..."
• Regine responds warmly,

  “Thank you, Lauren. Thank you. I appreciate it.” ([19:05])

Notable Quotes

• On Opening Night:
  “It was just so magical, truly. Yeah, it was truly magical. And I look back on it often.” — Regine Sophia ([02:22])
• On the Reality of the First Preview:
  “My heart was beating out of my chest, and I was just so indescribably, like, beautiful and surreal. Nothing could have ever prepared me for that.” — Regine Sophia ([04:32])
• On Booking Broadway:
  “He said, you booked the job. And I…I just remember my mind went blank. My…every part of my body was, like, still. I didn’t know what to do, what to feel, what to think.” — Regine Sophia ([13:46])
• On Sharing the Good News:
  “I told her, I said, mom, I booked Broadway. And I remember in that changing room, her and I were just crying together. It was so special and so memorable.” — Regine Sophia ([17:10])

Timestamps for Key Moments

• [00:41] — Regine begins describing her opening night on Broadway.
• [02:49] — First preview with an audience: realizing the weight of the moment.
• [04:47] — First rehearsal: excitement and meeting her Broadway idols.
• [06:28] — Start of the audition story: self-tape, callbacks, and the process.
• [13:46] — “You booked the job”: Regine learns she’s joining "Chess" on Broadway.
• [17:01] — Emotional phone call with her mom in the Philippines to share the news.

Overall Tone & Takeaway

The episode is exuberant and heartfelt, delivered in Regine’s genuine, enthusiastic voice. It’s filled with emotional candor and vivid descriptions, making the listener experience every high and heart-flutter along with her. This is not just a backstage glimpse, but a portrayal of hard work meeting opportunity—with the magic of Broadway at the center. Perfect for aspiring performers and theater lovers alike.