Chess

[Deleted]

Enjoying this Nobody's Side.

[notmymuse]

Tim Rice interviews on londontheatre.com:

"Chess, written with Abba's Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus and it remains very close to his heart; he's just returned from a table reading of a new version of it that he's hopeful ("maybe very hopeful," he adds) could reach Broadway in about 18 months time. It's got a new book by Hunger Games movie writer Danny Strong and will be directed by Michael Mayer."

The rest of the interview is worth a read, but excited by a new Chess!

www.londontheatre.co.uk/theatre-news/interviews/mark-shenton-meets-sir-tim-rice

[BurlyBeaR]

I thought this was ENO for next year?

Who started that rumour?

BRING ME THEIR HEAD!  

[ali973]

I'm sure he can say "too many cooks in the kitchen" versus "too many chiefs and not enough Indians." I mean, really.

I'm curious about this table reading and who was in it. I actually didn't read this far- Mark's writing is a bit of a snoozefest.

[Phantom of London]

Not sure it will go back to Broadway, when From Here To Eternity was about to shut Tim Rice was game, telling staff in the theatre, that Broadway wil, be next, so take it with a pinch of pepper.

Still hoping ENO will do their version next year hopefully with Nicole Scherzingermas Florence.

[whygodwhytoday]

I've been trying to get into this show for ages. What recordings would you recommend? Thanks!

[ali973]

Jun 27, 2017 23:37:26 GMT Phantom of London said:

Still hoping ENO will do their version next year hopefully with Nicole Scherzingermas Florence.

I actually think she'd be terrific. 

[Deleted]

Jun 27, 2017 23:37:26 GMT Phantom of London said:

Still hoping ENO will do their version next year hopefully with Nicole Scherzingermas Florence.

Oh good God no. I'd even prefer Idina.

Patina Miller would be a sensational Florence.

[SageStageMgr]

Fans of Chess MUST check the 1992 production starring Jodi "Ariel from The Little Mermaid" Benson as Florence. The whole show is on YouTube and she is absolutely phenomenal, what a voice. Also love Julia Murney in the charity concert (also starring Raul Esparza and Adam Pascal). The only thing about the Benson cast is the horribly 80's styles and fashions which are quite funny

[Phantom of London]

Jun 27, 2017 23:37:26 GMT Phantom of London said:

Not sure it will go back to Broadway, when From Here To Eternity was about to shut Tim Rice was game, telling staff in the theatre, that Broadway wil, be next, so take it with a pinch of pepper.

Still hoping ENO will do their version next year hopefully with Nicole Scherzingermas Florence.

I would say check them all out, as they all bring something to the table, the Original London and the Royal Albert Hall cast recordings are both on Spotify, however the Broadway one isn't, which is a shame.

Endgame is one of the finest songs performed in musical theatre.

[BurlyBeaR]

[ali973]

Jun 28, 2017 8:50:08 GMT SageStageMgr said:

Fans of Chess MUST check the 1992 production starring Jodi "Ariel from The Little Mermaid" Benson as Florence. The whole show is on YouTube and she is absolutely phenomenal, what a voice. Also love Julia Murney in the charity concert (also starring Raul Esparza and Adam Pascal). The only thing about the Benson cast is the horribly 80's styles and fashions which are quite funny

Exactly. I have two different recordings of Jodi's Florence from California, she sounds amazing. I also love Julia- who over-sings it at times, but is fabulous. 

Is it true that at one point Barbra Dickinson- Svetlana in the original- played Florence as well? 

[distantcousin]

Jun 28, 2017 12:50:31 GMT ali973 said:

Jun 28, 2017 8:50:08 GMT SageStageMgr said:

Fans of Chess MUST check the 1992 production starring Jodi "Ariel from The Little Mermaid" Benson as Florence. The whole show is on YouTube and she is absolutely phenomenal, what a voice. Also love Julia Murney in the charity concert (also starring Raul Esparza and Adam Pascal). The only thing about the Benson cast is the horribly 80's styles and fashions which are quite funny

Exactly. I have two different recordings of Jodi's Florence from California, she sounds amazing. I also love Julia- who over-sings it at times, but is fabulous. 

Is it true that at one point Barbra Dickinson- Svetlana in the original- played Florence as well? 

Yes, she played Florence 20 years ago in a production in Melbourne. Very curious to know what she was like. I LOVE Barbara. I've seen one or two production photos of her in it, but never any recordings.

[Scswp]

Are you sure Barbara Dickson actually played Florence or was she just rumoured for this at the time? There is no mention of this on Barbara's bio. I have heard this 'rumour' before but struggle to find any evidence that she actually played Florence anywhere. I would love to hear her in the role though.

[ali973]

Not sure at all. That's why I'm checking here.

The original Aussie production starred Jodie Gillis (Gillies?) and Maria Mercedes as Florence and Svetlana, respectively. Both sound great, especially Maria. I actually have a vintage souvenir brochure of that production!

[sam22]

I had a CD a.few years ago which someone gave to me which I loved. It is sung in English but I am fairly sure it is from the Danish tour (Wikipedia suggests 2001ish). Florence's vocals are great so worth trying to get hold of.


I was trying to remember if I had the Swedish version starring Helen Sjöholm but it seems that was sung in Swedish but there are clips of her singing in English on YouTube which may be what I am thinking of.

[SageStageMgr]

Jun 28, 2017 13:34:16 GMT sam22 said:

I had a CD a.few years ago which someone gave to me which I loved. It is sung in English but I am fairly sure it is from the Danish tour (Wikipedia suggests 2001ish). Florence's vocals are great so worth trying to get hold of.


I was trying to remember if I had the Swedish version starring Helen Sjöholm but it seems that was sung in Swedish but there are clips of her singing in English on YouTube which may be what I am thinking of.

Yes. I'm a huge fan of Chess's music and own every cast recording. You're referring to the 2001 Scandinavian Tour recording starring Stig Rossen (London Valjean, 1998) I must confess I don't care much for that recording, though. Rossen sounds far too much like Tommy Körberg (unsurprising considering Rossen himself is a big fan and said in interviews he is trying to emulate him in the role), but he's easily the best on the recording.

It sounds pedantic but the accents are really annoying on that recording, particularly the chap playing Freddie. They all sound sooo Scandinavian, with very thick accents, and it's rather distracting. Coupled with some not-great vocals, I don't often get that dusty old CD out!

[Someone in a tree]

Scandinavian accents in Scandinavia ? Shocking

[Deleted]

Jun 28, 2017 13:34:16 GMT sam22 said:

I was trying to remember if I had the Swedish version starring Helen Sjöholm but it seems that was sung in Swedish but there are clips of her singing in English on YouTube which may be what I am thinking of.

Helen Sjöholm = Perfection, no matter what language she sings in.

And I am unanimous in that.

'nuff said.

[SageStageMgr]

Jun 28, 2017 14:05:43 GMT Someone in a tree said:

Scandinavian accents in Scandinavia ? Shocking

In an English language recording where actors are pretending to be from Switzerland, Britain, America and Russia, it's grating for everyone to be all "hurdy gurdy, bork bork bork".

[Deleted]

Jun 28, 2017 14:20:19 GMT SageStageMgr said:

Jun 28, 2017 14:05:43 GMT Someone in a tree said:

Scandinavian accents in Scandinavia ? Shocking

In an English language recording where actors are pretending to be from Switzerland, Britain, America and Russia, it's grating for everyone to be all "hurdy gurdy, bork bork bork".

I know. It's the same as when Tommy Körberg tries that awful Russian accent during 'Anthem' and fails miserably. And don't get me started on Josh Groban and Kerry Ellis with their attempts at sounding like they're from downtown St Petersburg in the Albert Hall show.

[sf]

Jun 28, 2017 13:43:38 GMT SageStageMgr said:

Jun 28, 2017 13:34:16 GMT sam22 said:

It sounds pedantic but the accents are really annoying on that recording, particularly the chap playing Freddie. They all sound sooo Scandinavian, with very thick accents, and it's rather distracting. Coupled with some not-great vocals, I don't often get that dusty old CD out!

Freddie is played on that recording by Zubin Varla, who is British.

[viserys]

Jun 28, 2017 14:16:12 GMT @ryan said:

Jun 28, 2017 13:34:16 GMT sam22 said:

I was trying to remember if I had the Swedish version starring Helen Sjöholm but it seems that was sung in Swedish but there are clips of her singing in English on YouTube which may be what I am thinking of.

Helen Sjöholm = Perfection, no matter what language she sings in.

And I am unanimous in that.

'nuff said.

I was lucky enough to see that version of Chess at the Cirkusteatern in Stockholm and I think it was probably as good as this musical is ever going to get.

It's got tons of great tunes, but the story never worked for me. Doubt it will improve in another incarnation but I'm happy to be proven otherwise.

[SageStageMgr]

Jun 28, 2017 16:22:03 GMT sf said:

Jun 28, 2017 13:43:38 GMT SageStageMgr said:

It sounds pedantic but the accents are really annoying on that recording, particularly the chap playing Freddie. They all sound sooo Scandinavian, with very thick accents, and it's rather distracting. Coupled with some not-great vocals, I don't often get that dusty old CD out!

Freddie is played on that recording by Zubin Varla, who is British.

Really?! Wow, now that I did not realise! I really like Zubin Varla on the Jesus Christ Superstar recording with Steve Balsamo. I wonder why his accent is so bizarre in Chess?

[Deleted]

Jun 28, 2017 16:56:28 GMT viserys said:

Jun 28, 2017 14:16:12 GMT @ryan said:

Helen Sjöholm = Perfection, no matter what language she sings in.

And I am unanimous in that.

'nuff said.

I was lucky enough to see that version of Chess at the Cirkusteatern in Stockholm and I think it was probably as good as this musical is ever going to get.

It's got tons of great tunes, but the story never worked for me. Doubt it will improve in another incarnation but I'm happy to be proven otherwise.

Me too, I thought it was terrific. Helen Sjöholm and (the sadly late but fabulously great) Josefin Nilsson singing 'Jag vet vad han vill' (I Know Him So Well) was just so goosebumpingly glorious. The whole main cast was wonderful though.