“Chess,” a rock musical using international chess tournaments and a love triangle as metaphors for the Cold War, is the final production of the 2009-2010 season produced by Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre in association with Michael James.
Tom Sprandel, president of the Illinois Chess Association (ICA), is providing expert chess counsel for the production, and ICA members will be involved in post-show Talk Backs and pre-show Blitz Chess exhibitions.
Opening night is 7 p.m., Sunday, March 7 at the No Exit Café, 6970 N. Glenwood Ave. in Chicago’s Rogers Park neighborhood.
Tim Rice wrote the lyrics for “Chess” in 1986 with music by former ABBA members, Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson. The Theo Ubique production is based on an award-winning 1988 Broadway version of the musical, featuring a book added by playwright Richard Nelson. Notable songs from the musical are “I Know Him So Well,” as well as “One Night in Bangkok,” a pop dance single covered by Murray Head that peaked at #3 in the U.S. in 1985.
Performances run through April 25 at 8 p.m. on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays and at 7 p.m., Sundays. The No Exit Café is a cabaret setting, where dinner is available one hour prior to curtain with cast members as servers.
Several Jeff Award recipients from Theo Ubique’s production of “Evita” last year are back for “Chess.” Co-directing are Fred Anzevino, founder and artistic director of Theo Ubique, and Brenda Didier, also choreographer. Both received Non-Equity Jeff Awards last year for “Evita” with Anzevino named Outstanding Director and Didier named Outstanding Choreographer. Ryan Brewster is music director, and also received a Jeff Award for “Evita” last year for Outstanding Music Direction.
Maggie Portman, named Outstanding Actress in a Prinicpal Role for “Evita” last year, is portraying the role of Florence. Also in lead roles are Courtney Crouse, a former Jeff Award nominee, as Freddie and Jeremy Trager, a former Jeff Award recipient, as Anatoly. Featured cast members are Stephanie Herman as Svetlana, John B. Leen as Molokov, John Taflan as Arbiter and Anthony Apodoca as Walter. Ensemble members are Jenny Guse, Jenny Lamb, Ben Mason and Travis Walker.
ICA members who will participate in Thursday night post-show Talk Backs include: Tom Sprandel, Paul Seet, David Franklin, David Rubin, William Shehan, Patrice Connelly and Jae Lim. ICA blitz players at Saturday night performances include: Eric Rosen, Mesgen Amanov, Michael Auger, Bruce Kovalsky, John Barstad, Jeff Dixon, Albert Chow, Betsy Dynako, Sean Fisher-Rohde, Mark Parnaby, Matthew Szulc, Maret Thorpe, Mia Pillarella, Jae Lim and Rob Eaman. Thanks also to Andi Rosen for organizing the participants.
For more information on the show and ticket information, visit ontact www.theoubique.org or call 773-347-1109. The ticket order line is 800-595-4849.