Chess

book by Richard Nelson, lyrics by Tim Rice, music by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus

Presented by the Theatre shop on Jul 18, 2003 at the Actors' Studio.

Notes

Date approximate.

Director's Note
Rewind. I Knight to B4. It's March and everyone I know has suggested a musical or six. But one song spins on repeat aboard the broken record player in my mind. A song whose brash synthesizer and catchy hook caught me years ago, though at that time it was simply a radio ditty and nothing more. I'll admit to coming to Chess by way of One Night in Bangkok's" 80s pop radio ubiquity; the song is, after all, a guilty pleasure. Of course, this alone does not account for the first Buck's Rock production of Chess.

On closer inspection, I found not only a fascinating story rife with suspense, intrigue, doubt and wonder, but a score befitting its inherent dichotomy. Powerful, yet tender, Soul-destroying, yet uplifting. The themes within are as old as the game itself. Deceit, sacrifice, and retribution mark our piece, but the ones being played and the ones playing are never fully known. Set in a turbulent decade of excess and Coldwar stalemate, and cloaked in both secrecy and false perception, we tell a story here NOT only of the Game of Kings, but of a complicated love triangle as well.

I'd like to extend a huge personal thanks to every individual effort, great and small, which allowed this musical to come to fruition. Truly a labor of love. To Erik, who, with a steady hand and absolute dedication, provided immeasurable support. To Anna, who expertly colored in the rough outlines of a shared concept. To those unnamed in this paragraph, and finally to Abby Colella, well, just because.

Creative Team (9)

Cast (19)

Musicians (20 people in 23 roles)

Crew (28 people in 33 roles)

Images