Photo Coverage Exclusive: CHESS at Signature Theatre - Backstage

Chess, the rock musical by the composers of Mamma Mia!, opened at Signature Theatre on August 10, 2010 and plays a limited run through September 26. The first major American production in almost 20 years-and the Washington region's very first professional production-stars Broadway'sJill Paice (Curtains), Euan Morton (Boy George in Taboo), and Jeremy Kushnier (Footloose) in the Russian/American conflict made new again. Director Eric Schaeffer (Broadway's Million Dollar Quartet) and his creative team capture the gritty, sexy world of Chess' 1985 radio hit 'One Night in Bangkok' in the amazing intimacy of Signature's 276-seat MAX Theatre. The Tony Award®-winning Signature Theatre has a national reputation for its work with musicals - polishing underappreciated gems, as well as producing world premieres and reinventing classics.

Chess: two international chess masters-one American, one Russian-compete for the world championship only to find that their greatest contest is for the love of the same woman. Amidst political intrigue and international conspiracies, Freddie and Anatoly fight to take the queen in a romantic triangle that mirrors the heightened passions of the Cold War. Originally produced on Broadway in 1988, this Tony-nominated rock musical explores the classic themes of love, loss and betrayal. In addition to 'One Night in Bangkok,' Chess features unforgettable songs as such 'Anthem,' 'I Know Him So Well,' 'Nobody's Side,' and 'Pity the Child.' Time Magazine called it "one of the best rock scores ever produced in the theater."

Chess features music composed by the male half of ABBA Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson(Mamma Mia!), lyrics by Evita and Lion King lyricist Tim Rice, and book by award-winning playwright Richard Nelson. At Signature Theatre, the music direction and new orchestrations are by David Holcenberg, an expert on Ulvaeus and Andersson's musical theatre work who is currently the Associate Music Supervisor for Mamma Mia! in North and South America. The creative team also includes Karma Camp (choreography), Daniel Conway (sets), Chris Lee (lights), Kathleen Geldard (costumes), Matt Rowe (sound), and Aaron Fisher (projection design).

Tickets for Chess range in price from $55 - $81 and are available by calling Ticketmaster at (703) 573-SEAT (7328) or visiting www.signature-theatre.org. Group discounts are available for parties of ten or more by contacting tickets@signature-theatre.org. For more information please visitwww.signature-theatre.org

Photos by Walter McBride / Retna Ltd.

Jonathan Atkinson

Christopher Bloch

Jamie Eacker

James Gardiner

Michael Kramer

Eleasha Gamble

Gregory Maheu

Gregory Maheu and Eleasha Gamble

Christopher Mueller

Bayla Whitten

Russell Sunday

Chris Sizemore

Jonathan Atkinson, James Gardiner, Gregory Maheu, Jamie Eacker, Bayla Whitten, Katie McManus, Christopher Mueller

Jill Paice

Jeremy Kushnier

Jeremy Kushnier with his wife and daughter

Jeremy Kushnier with his daughter

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As a 14 year old youth, Walter was transfixed by his first Broadway Show, the original production of 'GREASE'. His Journey to celebrity photojournalism began that fateful night. Meeting, photographing and getting to know the cast inspired him to spend his professional life doing what he loved. Walter moved to Manhattan and for a leading role as a Photographer & Photo Researcher. Currently headlining in New Jersey with his partner Richard and family members Dali (Jack Russell) & Gala (Schnoodle). Recently he made his Broadway debut sharing the stage with Hugh Jackman in 'Hugh Jackman on Broadway' as well as receiving the Actors' Equity Association Gypsy Spirit Award. Walter McBride Photography is syndicated worldwide by Corbis/AP.

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