Chess- Licensed Version
Chess- Licensed Version
#1Chess- Licensed Version
Posted: 10/24/09 at 4:23pmSorry If this has been asked before, but is the licensed version of Chess the London version or the Broadway version?
#3re: Chess- Licensed Version
Posted: 10/24/09 at 5:03pm
If it makes you feel any better, TR has said that he is releasing the script as it was presented in CHESS IN CONCERT in the next year or so whether or not the Bway revival happens, so its not like it will forever be this way.
I was once in a community theatre production a few years ago that tried to obtain the rights to "Merano", etc. and we were denied so the production was canceled in mid-rehearsals as no one in the show could bring themselves to be in the Bway version. That script is truly, truly rancid and horrid.
P
#4re: Chess- Licensed Version
Posted: 10/24/09 at 5:50pmWhere is this theatre company where the actors decide to cancel a show because they don't like the script?
#5re: Chess- Licensed Version
Posted: 10/24/09 at 11:40pmI don't know, but there is a workable alternative version of the Broadway script put together by a young dramatist from Baltimore that is frequently used by amateur productions. PMs if one wants to read it.
Jon
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/20/04
#6re: Chess- Licensed Version
Posted: 10/25/09 at 12:36pm
Very well, but to do that version would be ILLEGAL.
#7re: Chess- Licensed Version
Posted: 10/25/09 at 6:42pm
It's in Binghamton, NY, Cats... some posters here (yo TheatreFan!) are familiar with the area and I'm sure would bolster the argument that it is much like the TWILIGHT ZONE which was, of course, written about Rod Serling's hometown... Binghamton.
And we decided as a group when the director ASKED us if we HAD to do the BWay version, and only that, would we still want to do it? We didn't. I don't even love CHESS enough to sit through the Bway version, let alone be in it.
P
#8re: Chess- Licensed Version
Posted: 10/27/09 at 6:19pmActually, there's a move afoot to approve the Baltimore script. Sam French has heard about it, and are interested in any version that makes the play work in that configuration.
#9re: Chess- Licensed Version
Posted: 10/27/09 at 6:47pmWhat's the Baltimore script? And why would Sam French approve that version when Tim Rice has said that he wants future productions to use the concert script?
#10re: Chess- Licensed Version
Posted: 10/27/09 at 10:23pm
The London script, and its closest relative, the concert-based script, are superior in structure, but call for a huge number of sets, ensemble characters and other such things.
The American script in most of its configurations is considerably more streamlined, but less well-written in general.
#11re: Chess- Licensed Version
Posted: 10/27/09 at 10:57pmCATSNY: Part of the matter is a binding contract with Richard Nelson in the States that is not easy for even Tim Rice to get around. This book, for all intents and purposes, is an adaptation of his. If you want to know more about the book itself, PM me.
Jon
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/20/04
#12re: Chess- Licensed Version
Posted: 10/28/09 at 3:26pmI noticed that in the Broadway recording liner notes, there is a disclaimer saying Tim Rice had NOT approved some of the lyric changes - so he clearly has not altogether happy with that version.
AngusN
Broadway Star Joined: 3/23/05
#13re: Chess- Licensed Version
Posted: 12/16/09 at 5:39am
The version we have received is the original London version. It still isn't great.
So many productions do different versions. Has the Baltimore script been given the go-ahead from Sam French? I would love to be able to use it; the story is so much easier to follow and the characters become 3 dimensional, complex and interesting characters.
Unknown User
Joined: 12/31/69
#14re: Chess- Licensed Version
Posted: 12/16/09 at 9:24amNo it hasn't... you can finsd more information on www.musicals.net
husk_charmer
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/19/06
#15re: Chess- Licensed Version
Posted: 12/16/09 at 9:51amHonestly, I don't think Sam French cares what version gets done. Every production I know of uses a totally different song stack, and some of them even include Merano.
AngusN
Broadway Star Joined: 3/23/05
#16re: Chess- Licensed Version
Posted: 12/16/09 at 9:57amMerano is included in the version they have sent us.
DidYouReallyHearMe
Featured Actor Joined: 11/29/04
#17re: Chess- Licensed Version
Posted: 12/17/09 at 12:32am
ChesstheMusical.Com licenses the London script and score.
It's mainly for U.K. production companies, but if you send them an email they will work out a contract for U.S. theatre's to do it.
That's how I did the show.
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