Ashland Contemporary Theatre, in association with Livia Genise Productions, presents the presents the Tony Award and Drama Desk nominated musical, “Chess” in Concert, September 17th, 18th, 24th, 25th.
“One of the best musicals ever produced!” ~ Time
The collaborators on “Chess” are giants of rock music and rock musicals (“Mama Mia!”) and they have created a complex rock opera that played to full Broadway houses and standing ovations. Here the ancient game becomes a metaphor for romantic rivalries, competitive gamesmanship, super power politics and international intrigues. The pawns in this drama form a love triangle: the earnest Russian champion, the loutish American chess star and a Hungarian American female assistant who arrives at the international chess match in Bangkok with the American but falls for the Russian. From Bangkok to Budapest the players, lovers, politicians and spies manipulate and are manipulated to the pulse of a monumental rock score that includes “One Night in Bangkok,” “Someone Else’s Story,” “Pity the Child” and “Heaven Help My Heart.”
“Chess” in Concert is the first production for the newly formed non-profit Livia Genise Productions. With music by Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus, lyrics by Tim Rice and a book by Richard Nelson, the Concert Version of this Tony Award Winning musical is directed by Livia Genise, with musical direction and keyboards by Karl Iverson and choreography by Sarah Gore. “Chess” in Concert stars Alex Boyles (Anatoly), Rebecca K. Campbell (Svetlana), Haley Forsyth (Florence), Heiland Hoff (Walter), David King-Gabriel (Freddie) Bob Jackson Miner (the Arbiter) and Ian Wessler (Molokov). The cast also features Reece Bredl, Sarah Gore, Karl Iverson, Grace Peets, Andrew Pena, CJ Reid, Payne! Smith and Michael Williams. Buzz London provides the narration and Charles Cherry is the stage manager.
“Chess” in Concert plays September 17th at 8 pm and 18th at 2 pm at the Ashland Community Center, 59 Winburn Way and on September 24th at 8 pm and 25th at 2 pm at the Belleview Grange in Ashland, 1050 Tolman Creek Rd. Reserved seats are recommended.
Reservation Line: 541-646-2971