Re-Imagined CHESS Begins Tonight at White Plains Performing Arts Center

Stage 2 at the White Plains Performing Arts Center presents CHESS the Musical. The smash hit rock musical of the 1980s has been re-imagined and updated to reflect today's explosive political climate between the United States and the Middle East.

The cast is headed by Amanda Renee Baker as Florence with John Cormier and Conor McGiffin as the American and the Iranian, respectively.

They are supported by Allison Butler, Ruby Day, Andrew Hendrick, Gilgamesh Taggett, and So Young Jeon, with John Cedric Anderson, Bryan Campo, James Caposito, Carly Dieck, Victoria Dieck, Nashard Shawndell Gales, Daisy Guevara, Sarah Heinzmann, Tyler Henson, Nick LeMay, Michelle Morris, Elodie Lucinda Mamie Morss, April Nuovo, Casey O'Donnell, Simona Persampieri, Casey Sacco, Sam Stein, Kat Vaccaro, Bjorn Van den Berghe, Samantha Alicandri, Haleigh Brown and Lielle Kaidar.

Director Keith Levenson is a theatrical chameleon who runs the gamut from composer and orchestrator, to director, to arts administrator and is best known for his work conducting Broadway and National Touring productions. With the cast of CHESS he joins two of his worlds, pulling Andrew Hendrick and Conor McGiffin from the National tour of Jekyll and Hyde (where he serves as Associate General Manager and Music Supervisor) and John Cormier, Ruby Day, and Gilgamesh Taggett from the National Tour of Annie (where he serves as Music Supervisor and Resident Director.)

Levenson states, "Casting actors from these two shows may seem unlikely for CHESS, but there's no denying the performances are spectacular. Their voices really carry the rock score; we're lucky to have such formidable actors and singers with us."

CHESS is directed by Levenson with musical direction by Brent McGee and choreography by Jennifer Jonas. Scenic Design by Katie McGeorge, Costume Design by Antonio Consuegra, Lighting Design by Catherine Clark, Sound Design by Scott Tunkel, Properties Design by Emily Banks, Graphic Designs and Projections by Betsy Wilkowski and KELLYdesigns LLC.

CHESS will be on stage for ONE WEEKEND ONLY, tonight, August 7 and Saturday, August 8 at 8:00 PM and Sunday, August 9 at 2:00 PM at the White Plains Performing Arts Center. WPPAC is conveniently located minutes from the White Plains Metro North train station, a 25 minute ride from Manhattan. It is located on the third level of City Center off Mamaroneck Avenue in downtown White Plains. Tickets are $35 (adults) and $25 (22 & younger). For tickets: visit the theatre box office Monday-Friday (11am-6pm), purchase the tickets online at wppac.com/shows/chess or call 914-328-1600. For Group Sales, contact barbara@wppac.com.

CHESS the Musical is produced by STAGE 2, a program created by WPPAC to bridge the gap between our Conservatory and MainStage, giving college and graduate school performers the opportunity to work in a Professional Regional Theatre under the guidance of Broadway artists.

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