Chess Revival????????- Page 2

[Nova]

Posted: 3/19/04 at 2:12am

I have only seen the swedish version and I love it...

Swedish synopsis and lyrics translated into English
http://members.lycos.co.uk/basically_tommy/chess_transl.htm

a clip from Anthem Updated On: 3/19/04 at 02:12 AM

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 3/19/04 at 1:00pm

alterego - I guess it depends which of the hundred or so versions you have seen. The production I saw was quite engaging and moving. I saw it three times and the audiences seemed to love the show. I felt compassion for all three of the leads and thought the story was quite well-told. I watched the Swedish DVD and though I don't knwo any Swedish, the show seemed much more dark and cold. It had a constant depression about it that I didn't care for. I simply can't stand the Danish recording for various reasons. I like the fact that it features unrecorded material, but the orchestrations are awful and some of the performers really got on my nerves (especially Freddy). I found the changes in the story to be much more confusing than what I originally saw. I do find it fascinating that it seems to be the show with the most rewrites (except maybe Candide) and is still being produced worldwide with such vastly differing productions, yet holds a large fan base. And it was the last show in the US that actually had a hit song on the charts (One Night in Bangkok) before it was ever produced on Broadway.

[Ruffian]

Posted: 3/19/04 at 1:03pm

...where did I see in print where the writer said that " ... "TABOO" would have a ...life after the show, similiar to "CHESS" ... "

Cult Status is what he intended, its true "CHESS" has its Fan Base

I was at the final perf on Broadway...I liked some of the songs, but I wasn't crazy about it; though if it gets a revival I will for sure check it out....

"ANTHEM" of course is just glorious

[Nova]

Posted: 3/20/04 at 4:41am

Mister Matt did you see the link i posted with Swedish synopsis and lyrics translated into English or you maybe already know about it.....

what I understand is the swedish production more about the love story then the cold war, but the love story has no happy ending....

[alterego]

Posted: 3/20/04 at 8:20am

Mister Matt, the productions I saw were certainly dark and depressing. They also concentrated on the love story. So dull were they that the only moment they came to life was during the One Night in Bangkok number. I also remember the unimpressed silence that the audience left the theatre with at two performances I attended. I think the whole style (and era) of show that is Chess is best left in the 1980's.
I just don't think a revival of this show is a good idea.

[mother cabrini]

Posted: 3/20/04 at 8:32am

the show, like the game it is named after, is both hard to explain and boring

[alterego]

Posted: 3/20/04 at 8:37am

Too true Mother, too true!

[Nova]

Posted: 3/26/04 at 5:25pm

Chess in LA - could this be true