Questions on Chess (the musical) playing on Turtle Lane Playhouse.

[jaystarr]

Posted: 1/31/08 at 10:55am

Hi All:

I have a $12.50 offer on Chess-the musical but I have some questions for those who know the answer:

1. How's Turtle Lane Playhouse in Auburn, MA? I have been living in Boston for 13 yrs. I have seen almost all the Regional Theater Companies here (Huntington, Lyric, TheaterWorks, Art, Speak Easy, NSMT& Merrimack) but I never heard of this one? I am not trying to be snub or pretentious.. I just wanted to know if anyone seen any of their productions...Is it worth the 1 hour drive from Boston to go to Auburn, MA?
- is this comparable to say....off-broadway ...like 37 arts or new world stages? or its like a dinner theater?

I never seen CHESS and I enjoyed some of their pop songs.. like I know Him So Well & One Night in Bangkok.

2. Is the musical any good onstage? for those who seen it in other production? the book?

I appreciate any inputs. Thanks



J*






Updated On: 1/31/08 at 10:55 AM

[Unknown User]

Posted: 1/31/08 at 12:40pm

I have seen about 6 versions of Chess dating back to 1985. The book has been different in all versions I saw. Songs come and go. I hope they are not doing the Bway version with book by Richard Nelson- its the worst version.

The music stands on its own. There is great synopsis breakdown on www.musicals.net of all versions of the show.

i'd say go see it just to hear the music.

[lovesclassics]

Posted: 1/31/08 at 1:57pm

Turtle Lane is like good community theater. Productions I've seen have been okay but nothing special. Low budget, barn-like facility.

[Stanley3]

Posted: 1/31/08 at 2:09pm

J -

First of all, the show is in Auburndale - which is a part of Newton - so it's not that far from Boston. :)
For the price, I'd definitely go. It's a very small theatre, but they tend to do great work. Aside from that, they have a bar right off the lobby!
I know the guy playing Freddie and I've seen him do the part before. He's a great singer and I thought he was excellent the last time I saw him do it.
I'm sure you'll get your $12.50 worth.

- Stanley

P.S. - I saw Constantine (of American Idol fame) in the Turtle Lane production of 'Jesus Christ Superstar' a number of years ago back when he was at BoCo....he was GREAT.

[jaystarr]

Posted: 1/31/08 at 2:34pm

Thanks Stanley-

I thought it was an hour from Boston bec. everytime I drive down to NYC using MASS PIKE i90- I see a sign AUBURN MALL..way past Framingham...or I could just be making a mistake...I never really stop by or anything, so my calculations could be wrong.. I have a GPS system in my car, so I would never really get lost if I decided to go..

but thanks... I might consider seeng this.. I had a bad experience with a community theater (which I will not mention) they did GYPSY and I was very unhappy with it...

J*
Updated On: 1/31/08 at 02:34 PM

[Unknown User]

Posted: 2/1/08 at 7:36pm

So, J- are you going? Let us know how it is if you are...

[sanda]

Posted: 2/1/08 at 8:25pm

I think if you want to see Chess for the first time, only a decent production can do justice to the show. Otherwise, a crap production may ruin your whole experience and leave a very bad memory to you for a long time.

I am as a huge chess fan as anyone else but I only saw the show last year when I flied across the country to LA to catch the LA Chess concert. And I think it's totally worth it.

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 2/1/08 at 8:46pm

I've seen 4 different productions (the original Broadway, 1st national tour featuring Carolee Carmello, Papermill - with Judy McClane, and the York Theatre). I liked the first national tour the best.

For $12.50, I say, why not.

Updated On: 2/1/08 at 08:46 PM

[showbiz287]

Posted: 2/4/08 at 10:47pm

Hello! I just wanted to throw my two cents here, as I am IN this production. Going into this show, I didn't know anything about it. I do beleive our version is the American version (because the London version's rights are not available in the US). We have some awesome awesome rock voices to pull off this show! Especially for a show that is rarely produced, I would say our cast presents the material that was given to us very well, and we're having fun! For 12.50 that's not a bad price!