ABOUT THE SHOW
Chess is a rock opera with music by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus (ABBA, Mamma Mia) and lyrics by Tim Rice (Aladdin, Evita). The musical dates back to a 1984 concept album, with staged productions in London in 1986 and New York in 1988. We are producing the London stage version of Chess, with the addition of “Somebody Else’s Story” from the New York/Broadway production.
In Chess, the game of chess is used as a metaphor for romantic rivalries and the US-Soviet rivalry during the Cold War. The main characters form a love triangle: Freddie, the ill-mannered American Grandmaster, Anatoly, the intense Russian champion challenger, and Florence, the passionate Hungarian-American female chess second. Florence arrives at the international chess championship as the chess second to the American but falls in love with the Russian. From Merano, Italy to Bangkok, Thailand, the main characters, and the politicians and spies around them, all struggle to get the upper hand.
Open Auditions: Wednesday, June 12, 2019 and Thursday, June 13, 2019 at 7 p.m.
Please prepare a 32-bar cut of a song in the style of the show.
THEATRE: CDC Theatre, 78 Winans Avenue Cranford NJ
Callbacks: Saturday, June 15, 2019 by appointment
Callback materials will be provided. There will be a dance callback. Please dress accordingly.
*All roles are non-paid??, non-union.
Performances:
September 27-28 @ 8 p.m.
October 4-5 @ 8 p.m.
October 6 matinee @ 2 p.m.
October 11-12 @ 8 p.m.
Rehearsal Schedule:
July 16, 2019 to August 1, 2019
We will rehearse Sundays (6-10 pm); Tuesdays and Thursdays (7:30-10 pm)
August 4, 2019 to September 20, 2019
We will rehearse Sundays (time tba); Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays (7:30-10 pm).
Tech Week: September 22 to September 26, 2019
PRODUCTION STAFF:
Producer: Elizabeth Howard
Director: Edgar Hidalgo
Music Director: Jack Bender
Choreographer: Amanda Grace
Stage Manager: Dana Dispoto
Lighting Design: Nik Marmo
Set Design: Brandon Frumolt
PRINCIPAL ROLES:
Florence Vassy- strong belt voice (to E). Hungarian-born. Late 20s – Mid 40s. Freddie Trumper's chess second and former lover. She is strong, clever and has worked very hard to become the professional she is today. She has strong unresolved internal conflict regarding her traumatic childhood. She has a soft spot for Freddie and continues to be dedicated to him professionally but falls in love with Anatoly, Freddie’s chess rival.
Freddie Trumper (“The American”) - Rock tenor (to C). Late 20s – Mid 40s. The American chess champion (a cross between Bobby Fisher and John McEnroe). Arrogant and temperamental, but a chess genius. He is obsessed with his sport and his success in it.
Anatoly Sergievsky (“The Russian”) - Baritone (to G sharp). Early 30s – Late 40s. The Russian chess champion. Unexpectedly charming. He doesn't seem a romantic hero at first but he becomes one. An intelligent, feeling, passionate man. Falls in love with Florence, but is married to his estranged wife Svetlana. He must decide where his duties lie: his country, his chess game or either of the two women in his life.
Alexander Molokov - Bass (down to F sharp). Anatoly’s chess second—and a KGB agent. Not above manipulating others to further his political aims. Intellectually formidable and fiercely patriotic. Russian accent a plus.
Svetlana Sergievsky - strong belt voice. Late 20s – Mid 40s. Anatoly's wife. Domestic and wholesome, but still effortlessly elegant. Loves her husband, but knows that she’ll never be able to combat his flaws and obsessions. NOTE: Svetlana will sing “Somebody Else’s Story” in this production.
Walter de Courcey- Bass-Baritone (down to G sharp). A marketing agent. At first, seems to be purely business/economically driven—but he is secretly a manipulative covert US government agent.
The Arbiter- rock high baritone (up to A). International chess figure. At once, he is smooth and flamboyant, but with a quick temper, he’s the chess tournament’s referee and also provides commentary on the personal games and personal conflicts in the show. Must be able to dance.
ENSEMBLE:
An ensemble of 12-15 well-rounded performers who are dancers or strong movers. This ensemble will play minor roles throughout the show including Leonid Vigand (the Russian opponent in Act 2), Reporters, and Chess/Arbiter Acolytes; and will also be used in featured dancing during the three chess matches.
VOCAL ENSEMBLE:
We will also cast an on-stage vocal ensemble of 12 made up of equal numbers of each voice part. The vocal ensemble will remain on stage as the chess tournament “audience” for almost the entirety of the show and will not dance. They will function as an extension of the Arbiter as observers of the players’ moves, on and off the chess board. There will be some light blocking at the top of the show. In addition to all ensemble numbers, these vocalists will be featured as the “pop”/“rock” choir in many of the solo numbers, such as “Where I Want to Be” and “Nobody’s Side.” Note: The vocal ensemble will only be called to rehearse once a week until we begin running the show.
Videos
.png)
