Theo Ubique Announces Cast For CHESS, Opens 3/7

"Chess," a rock musical using international chess tournaments and a love triangle as metaphors for the Cold War, is the final production of the 2009-2010 season produced by Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre in association with Michael James.

Opening night is 7 p.m., Sunday, March 7 at the No Exit Café, 6970 N. Glenwood Ave. in Chicago's Rogers Park neighborhood. "To the best of our knowledge, it's been 20 years since ‘Chess' was produced in the Chicago area-in 1990 by Marriott Theatre," said Fred Anzevino, Theo Ubique's artistic director.

Performances run through April 25 at 8 p.m. on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays and at 7 p.m., Sundays. The No Exit Café is a cabaret setting, where dinner is available one hour prior to curtain with cast members as servers.

Tim Rice wrote the lyrics with music by former ABBA members, Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson. "Chess" first premiered in London in 1986 as a rock musical, and then moved to Broadway in 1988 as a completely revamped production with a book added by playwright Richard Nelson. Both versions were award-winning productions. The Theo Ubique production is based on the 1988 Broadway version. Notable songs from the musical are "One Night in Bangkok" and "I Know Him So Well."

Several Jeff Award recipients from Theo Ubique's production of "Evita" last year are back for "Chess." Co-directing are Fred Anzevino, founder and artistic director of Theo Ubique, and Brenda Didier, also choreographer. Both received Non-Equity Jeff Awards last year for "Evita" with Anzevino named Outstanding Director and Didier named Outstanding Choreographer. Ryan Brewster is music director, and also received a Jeff Award for "Evita" last year for Outstanding Music Direction.
Maggie Portman, named Outstanding Actress in a Prinicpal Role for "Evita" last year, is portraying the role of Florence. Also in lead roles are Courtney Crouse, a former Jeff Award nominee, as Freddie and Jeremy Trager, a former Jeff Award recipient, as Anatoly. Featured cast members are Stephanie Herman as Svetlana, John B. Leen as Molokov, John Taflan as Arbiter and Anthony Apodoca as Walter. Ensemble members are Jenny Guse, Jenny Lamb, Ben Mason and Travis Walker.
Tom Sprandel, president of the Illinois Chess Association (ICA), is providing expert chess counsel for the production, and ICA members will be involved in post-show Talk Backs and pre-show Chess Blitzes on special nights, dates to be determined.

Others with "Chess" are: Beverle Bloch, dramaturge; Nate Crawford, scenic designer; Brian Hoehne, lighting designer; Justin Goh, props master; Eva Breneman, dialect coach; Rachael Holiday, stage manager, and Andrea Ruth Goon, assistant to the directors.

Tickets for "Chess" are now available online at www.theoubique.org or through the ticket order line at 800-595-4849. Theo Ubique's ticket information line is 773-347-1109, where updated theatre and show information are available.

Previews are 8 p.m., March 5-6, and preview tickets are $15. Regular performance tickets for March 7-April 25 are $25 for Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays and $30 for Saturdays. A show/dinner package is optional for $45 and $50. Free parking is available at the parking lot on the corner of Morse and Ravenswood with free transport on the Lifeline shuttle van to and from the lot. The No Exit Café is by the Morse stop on the Red Line. Special discounts will be offered through Theo Ubique e-news announcements, which are available by signing up through the web site.

To post a comment, you must register and login.