All-Star CHESS Concert Set for Richland Performing Arts Center Tonight

CHESS, the hit London and Broadway musical, will be performed in a concert presentation on December 8, 2013 at 2:00 p.m. at Richland Performing Arts Center, on the campus of Richland High School in Johnstown, Pennsylvania.

The performance is being done as a fundraiser for the Kiersten Roberston scholarship fund. CHESS will star Broadway performers originally from the Johnstown area as well as students and members of the Richland Performing Arts Center and Richland Theatre Boosters as well as other performers from the area and beyond. The show will be performed with a professional twenty piece orchestra.

Scheduled to star in CHESS will be Broadway vets Kathy Voytko (THE PIRATE QUEEN) as Florence, Scott Logsdon (the original LES MISERABLES) as Anatoly, Kris Koop Ouellette (PHANTOM OF THE OPERA) as Svetlana and Gregg Goodbrod (HANDS ON A HARD BODY) as Freddie. Also among the leads are Michael L. Marra (LES MISERABLES) and Buck Dietz (SOUND OF MUSIC national tour).

Kathy Voytko, formerly of Johnstown and a Bishop McCort graduate, has starred as EVITA in legendary director Hal Prince's 25th anniversary tour and has been seen as Christine in THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA and on Broadway in OKLAHOMA!, Stephen Sondheim's THE FROGS , THE PIRATE QUEEN and with Antonio Banderas in NINE.

Kris Koop Ouellette, formerly of Davidsville and a Conemaugh Township graduate, recently concluded a twelve year run in THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA on Broadway where she was the only actress to be seen as Christine, Carlotta and Madame Giry. She has also toured in CATS as Jellylorum/Griddlebone.

Scott Logsdon, formerly of Somerset and a graduate of Somerset High School, was an originating cast member in the national company of the Tony Award-winning LES MISERABLES. He appeared in LES MIS on Broadway and internationally and was seen as Thenardier opposite Colm Wilkinson. As the show's dance captain he staged seven companies of the tour, appearing with and directing Wilkinson, Tony winners Lea Salonga, Jarrod Emick, Sutton Foster, Broadway legend Andrea McArdle and soap star Catherine Hickland. He also directed McArdle's debut at 54 Below (70s and Sunny) which was released on Broadway Records.

Gregg Goodbrod made his Broadway debut as an original cast member of the Tony Award-winning Best musical, THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE. He originated the role of Joe in the national tour of 9 TO 5: THE MUSICAL. He appeared in SOUTH PACIFIC IN CONCERT live from Carnegie Hall with Reba McEntire and Brian Stokes Mitchell. Other New York appearances includes TENDERLOIN (Encores!), City Center BROADWAY BASH and TIME AND AGAIN at Manhattan Theatre Club.

Other featured cast members include Michael L. Marra (Broadway's LES MISERABLES, 1st National JEKYLL & HYDE) as Molokov and Buck Dietz (THE SOUND OF MUSIC tour with Marie Osmond) as The Arbiter. Scott D. Miller will play Walter, Michael Misko will appear as Gregor Vassy ,Sarah Bell will portray Young Florence and Nathan Magee will be Vigand.

The ensemble will feature the current Pennsylvania Maple Queen Ranita Bowers and former Pennsylvania Maple Queen Mary (McClure) Mauzy as well as Kevin Bean, Adam Bukosky, Jayme Brooks, Nathan Cook, Josh Devett, Kelly Devett, Emily Felton, Tiffany Stanley, Carrie Law, Mari Grace Lingenfelter, Chris McAllister Katie Strong, Jacob St. Clair and. Kim Rauch will make a cameo appearance as the Mayor of Merano.

The Chess Game Dancers are Kennedy Hess, Harris Estep and Brett Wyar. Ensemble dancers include Sadie Carney Hannah Fleck, Kayla Leventry, Julie Rohrabaugh, Tori Smith & Gillian Snow. Others in the cast include Maggie Williams-Borodach, Mark Budinsky, Kristen Caddy, Rachel Zoborowski and Gregory Zoborowski.

CHESS is an award-winning musical with music by Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus, the "BB" of the iconic pop sensation ABBA and has lyrics by legendary Academy Award, Tony Award and Emmy Award winner Tim Rice, the lyricist of JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, EVITA, JOSEPH & THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT, AIDA and the Disney classics THE LION KING and ALADDIN.

CHESS features the Billboard Top Ten hit "One Night in Bangkok" and the duet "I Know Him So Well", recorded by both Whitney Houston and Barbra Streisand. It focuses on the professional and personal intrigues surrounding the World Chess Championship between an American champion and his Russian challenger.

The production features direction and staging by Scott Logsdon; choreography by Jackie Willnecker; musical direction by Jerrod Cannistraci and choral direction by Kim Rauch; wardrobe by Rachel Zoborowski; sound design by Ben Easler, and lighting design by William Sievers. Lilia Eash is the stage manager.

"We are excited and proud to have been granted the rights to produce this incredible musical in concert form. It will be a thrill for our students to perform alongside former locals who became Broadway greats and to raise money for our Kiersten Roberston Scholarship Fund," says Scott D. Miller. "The score is phenomenal and blends the worlds of classical, rock and Broadway music in a way that only the guys from ABBA and Tim Rice could have created. Our audience will be treated to hearing a huge chorus, full orchestra and some of the best voices from Broadway."

The Kiersten Roberston Scholarship was established in memory of the Richland student who was killed in an automobile accident in 2011 during the run of Richland's production of JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT.

The performance will take place one day only Sunday, December 8, 2013 at 2:00 pm, at Richland Performing Arts Center, on the campus of Richland High School. Tickets for CHESS are Regular $24, seniors (+62) $22, Gold Card $20, Student $15, Limited View Seating $10 and are on sale. They are currently available to those who are purchasing seasons tickets for RPAC's season. For information, directions, and to charge tickets call 814-269-0300. Tickets are also on sale online at http://www.richlandpac.com. Individuals requesting accommodations for disabilities should contact info@richlandpac.com.

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