“Chess,” currently playing at the Imperial Theatre on W. 45th Street, is making all the right, precise moves to ensure its Broadway success as the first Cold War musical. Its strategy will have you thrilled and captivated as it combines the process of delivering an exquisite Broadway musical with elements of humor, brilliant acting performances, showstopping numbers, romance, and romantic conflict on their highest levels. “Chess” is a checkmate hands-down for its extraordinary creative team featuring a splendid, methodical book by Danny Strong, stunning, gripping music and lyrics by ABBA’s Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus, and Tim Rice, based on an idea by Rice. Michael Mayer’s direction will have you shouting your appreciation. Lorin Latarro’s choreography is bold and marvelous, as are the original orchestrations by Anders Eljas, orchestrations by Eljas and Brian Usifer, and music supervision by Usifer.
The musical tells the story of the Cold War between the U.S. and USSR in the late 1970s and how these great powers both had the nuclear power to destroy the planet, but decided to prove their superiority through a chess championship. It was Communism vs. Capitalism, but through a game of mind and skill. The strategy by the Soviets was to exploit the weaknesses of the American champion. The musical unveils the political games going on behind the chess matches and sets up an explosive love triangle in which true love, loyalty, and finding one’s happiness are all at stake.
This musical is exquisitely performed by its three main stars, Nicholas Christopher, Lea Michele, and Aaron Tveit. Christopher is absolutely phenomenal, moving, and inspiring in his multi-leveled portrayal of Anatoly Sergievsky, Russia’s best chess player, who has given up much of his life for this game and is now realizing that there are more important things than being a chess champion, no matter what it might cost him. Tveit brilliantly portrays Freddie Trumper, the arrogant, outspoken American champion, who also deals with the effects of sacrificing his life for this game. Lea Michele stunningly plays Florence Vassy, also a chess champion, Freddie’s second, and his lover. She has been by his side as a lover, protector, and advisor for some time and has experienced his cruelty firsthand. She also has a romantic history with Anatoly, a married champion with children. Bryce Pinkham is the Arbiter who, as the narrator, guides us through this splendid musical. He is quite funny as he delightfully brings the audience up to speed as to what happened during these chess championships.
The musical also brilliantly details both governments’ involvement and interest in making sure that a particular side wins, as the games were also happening at the same time that political negotiations were going on for these powers to decrease their nuclear arsenals. The musical outlines how the results of the international chess championship would directly impact the arms race. Sean Allan Krill is captivating as Walter de Courcey, the CIA agent trying to work with Bradley Dean, who plays Alexander Molokov, the Russian chess coach and a member of the KGB. Hannah Cruz is amazing in the role of Anatoly’s wife, Svetlana. She is a woman who is married, barely sees her husband, has lovers, is raising their children, and must deal with the pressure of whatever decision Anatoly makes about his life choices.
“Chess” has an incredible ensemble cast that includes Kyla Bartholomeusz, Daniel Beeman, Shavey Brown, Emma Degerstedt, Casey Garvin, Adam Halpin, Sarah Michele Lindsey, Michael Milkanin, Aleksandr Ivan Pevec, Aliah James, Sydney Jones, Sean MacLaughlin, Sarah Meahl, Ramone Nelson, Fredric Rodriguez Odgaard, Michael Olaribigbe, Katerina Papacostas, Samantha Pollino, Adam Roberts, Regine Sophia, and Katie Webber.
“Chess” is a breath of fresh air on Broadway! This musical tells an important story that holds your attention, and the voices — WOW, the voices! POWERHOUSE PERFORMANCES! It will make you believe in the power of bold originality, charm, humor, love, conflicts, and back-to-back chill- and thrill-inducing musical numbers that leave you energized, cheering, and shouting from your seats. Everything about this musical is a perfect move and that includes the scenic design by David Rockwell, costume design by Tom Broecker, lighting design by Kevin Adams, sound design by John Shivers, and video design Peter Nigrini. Hair, wig, and makeup design are by Luc Verschueren for Campbell Young Associates.
Your next move you should be to get tickets at chessbroadway.com.
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