Owen Darrell, the Minister of Tourism, Transport, Culture and Sport, viewed a Bermudian actor in his Tony-nominated Broadway performance this week.

A spokeswoman said Mr Darrell was invited to support Nicholas Christopher, whose appearance in Chess could earn him the 2026 Tony Award for best performance by an actor in a leading role in a musical.

Mr Christopher, son of Hamilton town crier Ed Christopher, was also nominated for a Drama League Award, an Outer Critics Circle Award and a Drama Desk Award for portraying Soviet Anatoly Sergievsky in the musical revival.

Mr Darrell said: “Watching Mr Christopher lead a major Broadway production was a proud moment for Bermuda.

“His talent, dedication and achievements serve as an inspiration to young Bermudians and demonstrate that our people can excel at the highest levels of the performing arts.”

Mr Christopher said of the nomination: “We were definitely hoping for it, but then to see your name called is a different experience with it suddenly being real.

“I was FaceTiming with my whole family, my father had his Chess shirt on, my mother had her Chess shirt on and pom-poms. We were all crying.”

Chess can be seen at the Imperial Theatre in New York City until June 21. Tickets can be purchased online.