Kathy Voytko, Scott Logsdon & More to Lead Richland Performing Arts Center's CHESS Concert, 12/8

Scott D. Miller, executive director of the Richland Performing Arts Center, has announced a special concert presentation of CHESS, the hit Broadway and London musical, on December 8, 2013 at 2:00 p.m. at Richland Performing Arts Center.

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. The performance is being done as a fundraiser for the Kiersten Roberston scholarship fund.

Scheduled to star in CHESS will be Broadway performers 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 Bart Shatto (HANDS ON A HARD BODY) as Freddie.

CHESS is the 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.

"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."

Logsdon will be directing and staging the concert which will feature musical direction by Jerrod Cannistraci and choral direction by Kim Rauch.

The cast will be rounded out by current and alumni members of the Richland Performing Arts Actors and Actresses and other local performers. The full cast will be announced at a later date.

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 production is produced by Kim Rauch and Scott D. Miller; stage direction by Scott Logsdon; sound design by Ben Easler, and lighting design by William Sievers.

Performances 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 will go on sale to the general public on October 1st at 10:00 a.m. 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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