RIALTO CHATTER: Tim Rice Hopeful For CHESS To Return To The Stage

PBS's Great Performances will air the spectacular London concert revival of Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus' 1986 cult musical Chess, featuring Reprise Records' Josh Groban and Idina Menzel as Chess in Concert on Wednesday, June 17th at 9 p.m. ET (check local listings).

Chess Tim Rice lyricist spoke to the Associated Press about the upcoming PBS airing and the musical's future on the stage.

He remarked about the earlier Actors Fund production of Chess that "got Rice to thinking that an official version of "Chess" should be declared and documented, and "Chess in Concert" was born. But it's not likely the endgame for the musical. "I hope not," the 64-year-old Rice said. "I think, and I hope, that it will come back to Broadway and/or the West End as a show, but I very much want it to be based on the score that this concert is. "But it takes time," he said, with a smile. "These things take time." To read the full article click here.

Known the world over for his enormously successful collaborations with Andrew Lloyd Webber, Rice, with Webber, was responsible for the worldwide musical sensations Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (1968), Jesus Christ Superstar (1970), and Evita (1976).

Reprise Records will release Chess in Concert as a two-CD set, a single audio CD, and as a stand-alone DVD to retail beginning June 16th, 2009. In addition, a three-disc Special Edition, which includes the two-CD set plus the DVD, will be available exclusively through Groban's official website www.joshgroban.com, his official fanclub website www.friendsofjoshgroban.com, and Menzel's official website: www.idinamenzel.com.

This limited-edition version includes music and video from the performance, a full-color booklet with cast photos and a synopsis by composer Tim Rice, sheet music for "Anthem" and "I Know Him So Well," plus an MP3 download of the two-CD audio content to be delivered on June 16th.

Groban and Menzel led the cast in this very special 21st anniversary performance of the British cult musical at London's Royal Albert Hall in May 2008. The book and lyrics are by Tim Rice (Jesus Christ Superstar, Evita, The Lion King) and the music is by ABBA's Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson (Mamma Mia!). Also featured are the West End Chorus and the City of London Philharmonic with Stephen Disley playing the great organ of the Royal Albert Hall.