Chess concert- Page 2

[BroadwayGirl107]

Posted: 9/21/03 at 11:16am

Just wondering...what's the dress code for this event, because I'm attending. I was wondering if I should be wearing nice pants and a blouse, or if a skirt or a dress is more appropriate? Anyone know?

[Theatreboy33]

Posted: 9/21/03 at 12:43pm

im wearing a nice shirt and tie, and possibly a sportcoat. i figured the top selling seats were 2500 so its most likely a formal event.

[Cadriel]

Posted: 9/21/03 at 1:21pm

Mr. Roxy -

There's no good record of CHESS out there. The only one that even comes close is the Danish Tour cast album, and that was withdrawn because of Mono Music (who are likely the ones preventing a recording of the concert). It was reissued but without certain significant parts of the score that were not on any legitimate recording.

The Broadway recording dropped several songs that were recorded previously ("What a Scene," "US vs. USSR," "Merchandisers," "Florence Quits," "A Taste of Pity," and "The Arbiter's Song"), two that are incomprehensible without the surrounding dialogue ("Smile You've Got Your First Exclusive Story" and "Let's Work Together") and one without any possible explanation except for space ("Freddie Goes Metal"). Had it been fully recorded, the score would've run around 95 minutes - an iffy case for a double-disc cast recording of a flop.

-Wayne

[Theatreboy33]

Posted: 9/22/03 at 11:50pm

This concert was absolutely amazing. The combo of Josh Groban, Julia murney, adam pascal, and sutton foster, and even the rest of the leads were all perfectly cast. Each had a breathtaking solo that left the house applauding forever. If a cd is made, buy it! Murney's nobody's side was the best ive ever heard it sung. and foster's someone else's story was incredible along with groban's anthem and pascal's pity the child. this show proved to me that Chess needs to come back to Broadway, and this was the storyline that it should follow. they explained at the end of the show that a dramaturg took 7 versions of the show and combined them into one beautfil production, perfectly told and beautiful to watch. Simply, amazing.

[Seany]

Posted: 9/23/03 at 12:06am

I WANT MORE DETAILS!!!

Tell me more about everyone!

What was the song list and lineup?

[Bway_Mill_Fan]

Posted: 9/23/03 at 11:18am

yes! i need more info too!

[MasterLcZ]

Posted: 9/23/03 at 11:24am

I'm glad it went so well and everybody had a great time. You have to hand it to Seth - he really works his ass off.

That said, I loved last years FUNNY GIRL concert, but I had no interest at all in CHESS. :)

[BroadwayGirl107]

Posted: 9/23/03 at 11:38am

I have to agree with Theatreboy. The show was amazing, and everyone was absolutely stunning. I have to gve my props to Sutton here. I sure hope everyone who ever doubted Sutton as an actress was there, boy can that girl act! It was a far cry from Millie and she not only pulled it off, but she gave an electrifying performance. I wish she had been in it more. All of the talents in the show were phenominal. The only flaw last night was some microphone trouble (feedback and delayed mic ques, especially with Josh's mic). It would be really nice if they brought the show back to Broadway. I'm really disappointed they didnt' record this one. Anyway, How was everyone's seats? Anyone go to the party?

[mamamia sammy]

Posted: 9/23/03 at 11:42am

I thought Sutton Foster sounded fine but was dull, dull, dull.

[Lorelai]

Posted: 9/23/03 at 1:15pm

i though sutton sounded great, considering the material she had to work with.

[Deena Jones2]

Posted: 9/23/03 at 1:20pm

What do you mean "material she had to work with??" She has some of the best songs. She was just totally wrong for the role. She did her best but she's not a Svetlana voice. Listen to Marcia Mitzman on the Bwya cast and you'll see what I mean.

[BroadwayGirl107]

Posted: 9/23/03 at 1:42pm

I sitll prefer Sutton. I've never seen the show before, so maybe that's why I don't mind her in the role. But her performance was fantastic, and I LOVED seeing her in a part like that. And I think she sounded incredible, whether she had a "Svetana voice" or not.

[AliceP]

Posted: 9/23/03 at 5:21pm

To Wayne and others

For anyone interested in obtainig The ORIGINAL recording of the Danish cast of Chess - I have a couple of spare sets of this.

I live in Denmark and have managed to get hold of a few copies. I will sell them only strictly privately and to shop prize + postage.

Regards
AliceP

[jcr279]

Posted: 9/23/03 at 6:15pm

I'm a little confused....maybe you guys can clear it up. I thought Florence sang "Someone Elses Story", at least I know thats how it is on the Broadway recording. Judy Kuhn sings it and Marcia Mitzman only sings in " You and I" a little at the end and in "I know him so well". Did they let Svetlana's character (Sutton) sing it at the concert??? or is that how the original is and they just changed it for the broadway cast recording? Or am I just crazy?!?

[Unknown User]

Posted: 9/23/03 at 6:17pm

no, you're right, but the song was given to sutton, just for the concert.

alice ripley did the same thing in the concert in 1998. she was svetlana, but got to sing someone else's story.

[jcr279]

Posted: 9/23/03 at 6:30pm

Thanks R. I have to say I'm sure it was a good idea both times! Now if only I could ever hear Sutton and Alice..........

[BroadwayGirl107]

Posted: 9/23/03 at 6:33pm

If only I could hear it again. It really is a shame it wasn't recorded. It was such a great show.

[Cadriel]

Posted: 9/23/03 at 7:00pm

"Someone Else's Story" was given variant lyrics for productions in Sydney and Off-Broadway; it was sung by Svetlana to Anatoly, early in Act II in Sydney and midway through Act I Off-Broadway. The lyrics go:

Long ago
In someone else's lifetime
Someone with my name
Who looked a lot like me
Came to know
A man and made a promise
He only had to say
And that's where she would be
Lately
Although the feelings run just as deep
The promise she made has grown impossible to keep
Because he let their story die
Leaving her to wonder why.

In a way
It's someone else's story
I don't see myself
As taking part at all
Yesterday
This girl that I was fond of
Saw the truth at last
The writing on the wall
Sadly
The words describe an empty affair

Sadder than that, she knew he wouldn't even care
Her life no longer his concern
What to do and where to turn?

It's all very well to say
She's free, it's now or never
She feels she's facing
No choices whatsoever --

I will be
In someone else's story
In someone else's life
And he could be in mine
I don't see
A reason to be lonely
I could take my chances
Further down the line
And if
That girl I knew
Should ask my advice
Oh I wouldn't hesitate
She needn't ask me twice
Go now!
I'd tell her that for free
Trouble is, the girl is me
The story is, that girl is me.

It's a neat variation, I think; Maria Mercedes, who was Svetlana in Sydney, had a gorgeous alto voice and the song sounded wonderful.

-Wayne

[Unknown User]

Posted: 9/23/03 at 7:03pm

interesting! thanks!

[Lorelai]

Posted: 9/23/03 at 7:08pm

deena:
yeah maybe you're right....i don't know...i WAS kind of waiting for something extraordinary from her performance. but i thought she did a decent job. i DO want to pick up the version with marcia mitzman since i love her voice as well.

[Deena Jones2]

Posted: 9/23/03 at 7:32pm

We all need to remember this was a CONCERT. The cast really did an amazing job. There was minimal rehearsal time and I'm sure their nerves were just crazed considering Tim Rice, Bjorn and Benny were there.

I do find it hard to believe that some of the cast had only heard Chess for the first time. What a shame. I mean I've had the London Concept album memorized since 1985!!

[BrdwyThtr]

Posted: 9/23/03 at 7:40pm

I'm dissapointed that they didn't record it. Based on the pictures, it looked like a first class evening of theatre.

[Theatreboy33]

Posted: 9/23/03 at 11:00pm

about the recording: dont give up hope YET. either way you look at it, theres an up side. many people want the concert to be sold on CD. however, the only people stopping this are the folks who currently have the rights because they are trying to bring the show back to Bway, and theyre trying to bring it back with Josh Groban. While Josh's "people" dont recommend this to him because he already makes big $$ selling out stadiums and such, Josh has expressed a STRONG yearning for acting on Bway and doing Chess as his debut show. I heard all this from a member of the featured chorus members that i know. hopefully, in SOME way, this can happen. so dont give up hope yet. and if it DOES come back, they should def. do the version from last night. it was more like the british concept album, which ive always found to be the far superb of the two.

[musicaltheatreman]

Posted: 9/23/03 at 11:59pm

how was the rest of cast??? raul, adam, julia and norm

[Cadriel]

Posted: 9/24/03 at 12:30am

Chess will probably not be coming back to Broadway. Trevor Nunn holds an exclusive contract that states that he must be offered the directing job in any first-rate production of Chess, and I don't think the creators want him directing the show after Broadway, and I don't think sponsors will be willing to pay him a large sum of money to not direct (as would likely be the case). Richard Nelson also has an exclusive contract stating that his book must be used in North America; it's doubtful that a variant even like the concert would be able to be produced. There will always be people who want to bring Chess back, but in all likelihood it probably won't happen.

And however good he might be able to sing the role, the thought of Groban playing Anatoly in a production turns my stomach. Chess is a musical about people in their thirties or forties.

-Wayne