Actors Fund Benefit Performance of CHESS to Offer Rush Tickets, 7/30

The July 30th 7:30pm benefit concert for The Actors Fund of the Benny Andersson, Tim Rice and Bjorn Ulvaeus musical CHESS will offer a limited amount of $30 Student Rush Tickets to students with a valid ID, cash only. Starring Tony Award-nominee Robert Cuccioli (Jekyll & Hyde, Les Misérables), Helen Hayes Award-winner Natascia Diaz (Man of La Mancha, Seussical, The Capeman, Carnival) and Drew Sarich (Les Misérables, Lestat, starring in the upcoming Broadway-bound production of Rocky the Musical in Europe) this special CHESS "In Concept" Concert will take place at LaGuardia Arts at Lincoln Center (100 Amsterdam Avenue); this stripped down all through-sung concert-version will focus on the music, lyrics and characters, emulating the original 1984 concept album and incorporating virtually all of the original London score.

There is a special 30% discount for regular tickets as well, use code CH302 for the $128.50 tickets, CH303 for the $97.50 tickets, and CH301 for the $67.50 (general admission) tickets, which can be purchased online at www.SmartTix.com or by phone at 212-868-4444 and also at the venue this evening. The benefit concert is produced, directed & arranged by Christopher Martin (the Founding Artistic Director of Classic Stage Company).

Joining Cuccioli, Diaz, Sarich and an ensemble of 18 will be Tamra Hayden (Les Misérables, Cabaret), Raymond Jaramillo McLeod (A Tale of Two Cities, Wonderful Town, Jekyll & Hyde), Gus Solomons Jr. (co-founder of the modern dance ensemble Paradigm), Scott Wakefield (Ring of Fire) & William Youmans (Wicked, Billy Elliot, Finian's Rainbow, Titanic).

A love story set against an international chess championship match between American and Russian players, CHESS was inspired by the U.S. vs. USSR match between Bobby Fischer and Boris Spassky in Iceland in 1972. In the show, East meets West in Merano, Italy and Bangkok, Thailand and the story involves a romantic triangle between two top players and a woman who manages one and falls in love with the other. Songs include "Someone Else's Story," "One Night in Bangkok," "Anthem," and "I Know Him So Well."

The Benefit Concert of CHESS will be performed on Monday, July 30th at 7:30pm at LaGuardia Arts (100 Amsterdam Avenue). Tickets, priced at $128.50 and $97.50 (reserved) and $67.50 (general admission), can be purchased online at www.SmartTix.com or by phone at 212-868-4444.