Chess the Musical

[RJSChess]

Posted: 9/30/14 at 3:39pm

Just wondering if there are any Chess fans on here who have seen the show in America? Would love to hear about US productions of the show and any thoughts you have about them or any other productions.

With the new deluxe edition of the original Chess concept album due to be released later this year (to mark the 30th anniversary of the original release) it seems like a good time to discuss and celebrate this great score. With three bonus tracks (Instrumental Anthem, Der Kleine Franz and Press Conference) plus a DVD of the 1984 making of the album documentary and the five promo videos there will be loads to chat about.

If you are a Chess fan and would enjoy talking about the album and shows come over and join our Chess Facebook group and celebrate this release when it happens. Also love to chat on here with anybody who has thoughts on the show.

Chess the Musical 30th Anniversary Group

[ErinDillyFan]

Posted: 9/30/14 at 4:47pm

I have seen the London version performed by CCM and the broadway version by The Ann Arbor Civic Theatre. I much prefer the London version plot. It seems more true to the cold war motivations and actions.

I suppose my impressions could be colored by the better performances and direction of the CCM production.

[ggersten]

Posted: 9/30/14 at 8:38pm

I read over at theatreforum.com that there is a 30 year anniversary CD of the original concept album with extra tracks being released along with a DVD of the making of the original album.

[Mr. Nowack]

Posted: 9/30/14 at 9:48pm

I'd be interested to see the documentary. I couldn't tell you much about the US vs. UK versions, but although I love the score I think the plot has a lot of problems and does;t really work as a musical. It's best on the albums. I like most of the concept cast better than the Broadway but I love Judy Kuhn so much, as well as David Carroll, on the latter.

[lovebwy]

Posted: 9/30/14 at 10:03pm

Waaaay back in 1992 I saw a revival of Chess at the Papermill Playhouse. I really remember nothing about, but I did find this positive review from the NY Times...
Chess at Papermill Playhouse (1992)

[ggersten]

Posted: 9/30/14 at 10:34pm

Chess fans may be interested in this FB group
Facebook ChessGroup

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 9/30/14 at 10:37pm

I'm hoping that's a joke, ggersten. Did you even read the OP's post? Granted, it's something that I've been seeing a lot of on the boards lately.

[ggersten]

Posted: 9/30/14 at 11:02pm

Oops. I goofed. I did read it initially, but focused only on the first paragraph - and then didn't re-read it. Palm - forehead.

Updated On: 9/30/14 at 11:02 PM

[Jarethan]

Posted: 9/30/14 at 11:43pm

I saw it twice n London, once on Broadway, and one at the Signature in DC.

The London version was good, not great. I remember enjoying it, but feeling it was very cold. The single thing I remember most was the set, which was amazing, but did not cause me to enjoy the show more. Saw the original cast, but no one made much of an impression on me. So, on balance, a disappointment that I saw a second time because of the score.

The Broadway version was a disaster...I remember liking nothing about it, again other than the score...the quality of the score was less apparent than the London version.

The Signature was very enjoyable. I thought the cast was excellent, the pacing issues solved, the characters more defined. Even in the small theatre, the quality of the score came through. I honestly do not remember if they cut anything that I cared about, so I suspect they did not.

The Signature version made me think, however, that some problems with the show may not be solvable. Although I loved it, I found myself questioning whether the story would ever appeal to a large enough audience to succeed on Broadway...but I was still thinking about doing it big. What if they did try to put on the Signature version in a smaller house...would it work? Could it attract a sufficient audience to justify the investment. I think it could, but who knows?

In any event, I remain convinced that it is one of the best scores ever and has not had its day in NYC.

[mjohnson2]

Posted: 9/30/14 at 11:45pm

It's probably my least favorite of the bombast musicals, which are a subclass of musical theatre that you have to either like or don't (I don't, unless it's CHILDREN OF EDEN). I do, however, think that it has some interesting components and would have been a better choice for a chamber musical instead of a mega-musical.

[Wilmingtom]

Posted: 10/1/14 at 2:01am

I've seen the London, Broadway, Paper Mill and Signature productions, each of them different and none of which really engaged me. The score certainly has its moments but no one has yet to solve the dreary book problems. I really think it works best as a concept recording because when you flesh out the "plot," it just doesn't sing.

[tazber]

Posted: 10/1/14 at 6:36am

^^^^
This.

I've always felt that it works best as an album.

[RJSChess]

Posted: 10/1/14 at 7:44pm

Thanks all for your thoughts, it's great to hear what people think. I have to agree the score is brilliant, but the plot and usually the productions let it down. Looking forward to the deluxe CD as hopefully it will sound better than ever on there.

I always think of Chess as being a bit like that other brilliant score beginning with C - Candide. Totally love Candide, but it seems most people don't really like the book very much. My dream is to win the loto and spend it all on finding a way to make these two shows into a huge success :o)

Thanks again for your posts. RJS

[Magalamb]

Posted: 10/1/14 at 8:14pm

I saw the UK tour that came to Toronto, for some reason, in 2011. The cast was good... especially Tam Mutu as Anatoly. I was not a fan of James Fox's Freddie, maybe because I have Adam Pascal's version burned onto my brain. Shona White was pretty good as Florence- amazing at the belty-bits, but not so much at anything that was more toned down (MUCH better than Idina, but not nearly as good as Julia Murney).

It didn't really work as a show, I agree, but I enjoyed it as a Cold War period piece (as someone who wasn't alive during the Cold War), and for its amazing, amazing score. Who doesn't love belting/hearing someone belt "Nobody's Side" or "I Know Him So Well".

[Phantom of London]

Posted: 10/1/14 at 8:14pm

Both Chess and Candide, I don't think any other musical has evolved like those two.

[broadwaybabywannabe2]

Posted: 10/2/14 at 1:34pm

sorry to say the only version I have seen of this wonderful score is CHESS THE CONCERT DVD from 2009...love it...

ADAM PASCAL is wonderful as is IDINA MANZEL...

I recommend this adaptation...

[Emobacca2]

Posted: 10/2/14 at 1:38pm

I have yet to see a production of Chess but "Nobody's Side" is still one of my favorite musical theater songs

[Charley Kringas Inc]

Posted: 10/2/14 at 8:39pm

Chess is a perfect example of a show that I simply get worn out on, by the time I get to "Nobody's Side" I just want to pack up and go home for the night.

[vassey]

Posted: 10/3/14 at 10:51am

Menzel was APPALLING as Florence, the DVD hid a multitude of sins. On the first night of the concert, she hadn't even bothered to learn the lyrics and didn't sing in time with the music. There are countless other performers who could have done justice to the material.

[Pootie2]

Posted: 10/3/14 at 11:03am

I read about Chess on Wikipedia and dang...poor Florence, even between the American/British versions. They had a week to learn the material for the concert DVD version, apparently, wonder why that was. Speaking of American/Brit versions, though, is it very common to have such story edits between show imports like that?

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 10/3/14 at 12:56pm

I saw a regional production in Houston around 1991 or 1992. It was a new staging of the Broadway version of the show and included the still-unrecorded number "Let's Work Together". I really enjoyed it, though I do prefer the book and score revision featured in the 2002 Swedish cast recording (and the DVD of the production is fantastic). I thought Menzel was great in the concert, far superior to what I heard Julia Murney perform in the Actor's Fund Concert (ouch). And though I know there is a lot of love for the completeness of the 2001 Danish tour recording, I simply CANNOT STAND the orchestrations or Freddy on the recording. Absolutely painful.

Posted: 10/3/14 at 1:08pm

I have seen most versions of Chess except for the Australian version; its one of my favorite shows musically. That being said, its much better in a concert version or a stripped down version. The last NYC Actors Fund version was the one Tim Rice said he liked best- its sung through. It made more sense. Any version needs to get rid of choreography. Its just cheesy...

Realistically it should be set in the 1970's to make the Cold War stuff seem relevant. This was what they did for the Off Broadway version they did a while back starring Kathleen Rowe McAllen. The one glaring flaw was the Rubic's Cube in the merchandisers song should have been changed- it wasn't invented!

[ARTc3]

Posted: 10/4/14 at 12:20pm

I saw both the original London and Broadway versions. Liked the London version, but ultimately was disappointed. Loved the Broadway version. I was extremely surprised that it didn't find an audience. I realize that it arrived with very mediocre press from London and that the completely redesigned version had huge technical hurdles to overcome, but by the time I saw it, it was a moving polished, technically fascinating show. I loved it.

Posted: 10/4/14 at 1:43pm

I really disliked the Broadway version.... it was cold, gray and totally depressing. As one critic pointed out - maybe Frank Rich... the set looked liked pieces of the Marriott Marquis moving along the stage. David Carroll was nasal, Phillip Casnoff could never hit the notes and while well sung by Judy Kuhn, she was well... boring.

Posted: 10/14/14 at 12:31pm

When is the remastered version of the original score going to be released in the US?