ABBA's Benny Andersson Says Discussions Underway to Bring CHESS Back to Broadway

The UK Theater publication The Stage is reporting thatin a new interview with ABBA Benny Andersson, that he tells them that "discussions were underway to bring the musical back to the US" and that "Someone wants to have another go on Broadway, I am not sure which theatre yet, but I think it will happen."

The show's previous outing on Broadway was in 1988 where it lasted for just 2 months but has since received renewed interest due to a recent PBS concert as well as the global success of Mamma Mia!.

ABBA composers Andersson and Ulvaeus created their first musical theater work more than a decade before striking pay dirt with their phenomenon, Mamma Mia!. It was the inspired idea of lyricist/librettist RIce To match the pair with his cold war tale: the East/West Chess Championship and the romantic triangle that develops between the Russian and American competitors and the beautiful woman who manages one and falls in love with the other.

A recent concert filmed in London and aired on PBS starred chart topper Josh Groban (Awake, Closer, Noel) as the Russian player, Anatoly; Rent Tony and Drama Desk Award-nominee Pascal as the American Freddie, and Tony-winner Menzel (Wicked Witch Elphaba) is Florence, the woman between them. Directed for telecast by David Horn and produced by Austin Shaw, it was recorded at Albert Hall May 12, 2008. Hugh Wooldridge staged the concert adaptation.