Tim Rice Teases CHESS Broadway Revival

[TaffyDavenport]

Posted: 1/10/22 at 7:42pm

Today, on a podcast episode devoted to the history of Chess, he said:

"And we plan to come back to Broadway one day fairly soon. A team is in place."

Full episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6wf191y2N4mYoNK8s42dUY

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 1/10/22 at 8:12pm

I’ll buy a ticket depending entirely on which version of Chess they plan to perform.

[ashley0139]

Posted: 1/10/22 at 8:26pm

Oh I can't wait. I anticipate there will be a lot of changes from any of the previous versions. I do have a personal favorite version, but I'm excited to see any version they do.

[BJR]

Posted: 1/10/22 at 8:48pm

The Michael Mayer-helmed Kennedy Center production was looking for a theatre a couple seasons back. I imagine it's this, since he says covid pushed it back.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 1/10/22 at 8:55pm

That was the Esparza one?

[ashley0139]

Posted: 1/10/22 at 9:00pm

Jordan Catalano said: "That was the Esparza one?"

There have been multiple Esparza ones.

 

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 1/10/22 at 9:06pm

CATSNYrevival said: "I’ll buy a ticket depending entirely on which version of Chess they plan to perform."

Exactly. 

 

[Ravenclaw]

Posted: 1/10/22 at 9:12pm

On the podcast he makes it clear that to him, the original album was a clear story that worked very well, and all the subsequent fussing around with it, adding dialogue, changing the ending, and writing a whole new play around the existing songs only served to weaken the show. Considering the Kennedy Center concert was one production that wrote an entirely new book and did a lot of messing around, I don't think that's the production Tim Rice has in mind. My guess is it's an entirely new production that stays closer to that original concept album. My hope would be for Timothy Sheader after his brilliant take on Jesus Christ Superstar.

[g.d.e.l.g.i.]

Posted: 1/10/22 at 10:00pm

If Timothy Sheader directs this, I will unapologetically boycott it. "Brilliant" is certainly not the word I'd use for his JCS...

The Kennedy Center production was actively scouting for a theater; my guess is that's what's being talked about.

Updated On: 1/10/22 at 10:00 PM

[quizking101]

Posted: 1/10/22 at 11:34pm

Raul Esparza. Raul Esparza. Raul Esparza…as I chant over my candles in a dark living room.

[Dylan Smith4]

Posted: 1/11/22 at 10:57am

If they bring it back, they need to do the Original London version with some major fixes to the book. They also need to resurrect the set from 1986 with modern updates as well. 

[Dylan Smith4]

Posted: 1/11/22 at 11:02am

CATSNYrevival said: "I’ll buy a ticket depending entirely on which version of Chess they plan to perform."

It needs to be the 1986 London version that needs to be revived with some fixes to the book. That version was perfect and they need to bring that to Broadway. 

[BroadwayNYC2]

Posted: 1/11/22 at 11:17am

I saw the Kennedy Center version which was a staged concert, but I have to say, Raul sounded rough there. As much as I love him, I’m craving another leading man. Wasn’t a fan of Olivo’s Nobody’s Side either. 

[g.d.e.l.g.i.]

Posted: 1/11/22 at 11:24am

Dylan, buddy, opinions are opinions, not facts.

Okay?

Okay.

[pmensky]

Posted: 1/11/22 at 11:25am

I’d be excited if this were a limited run of a concert version using the original music, lyrics and orchestrations with a large orchestra and a different cast of principals every week or two. 

[darquegk]

Posted: 1/11/22 at 11:30am

The Danish Complete Recording with Zubin Varla seems to represent the newly licensed revised London Version pretty closely. I wouldn’t be surprised if that’s the version we see, plus Someone Else’s Story interpolated.

[Owen22]

Posted: 1/11/22 at 11:38am

I have sat through many a reworking of the original West End production of Chess and every single one is dreck. Bad structure with writing that turns all three characters into banshees. Their newest idea, giving Someone Else's Story to Swetlana makes absolutely no sense. I loved that original 80s black concept album but to me the Judy Kuhn version with a book by now renowned playwright Richard Nelson IS Chess.

[SisterGeorge]

Posted: 1/11/22 at 1:29pm

BroadwayNYC2 said: "I saw the Kennedy Center version which was a staged concert, but I have to say, Raul sounded rough there. As much as I love him, I’m craving another leading man. Wasn’t a fan of Olivo’s Nobody’s Side either."

I remember Esparza was quite ill during those performances so that probably accounts for how he sounded. Remember the days when the show (and often times the performers) did go on regardless? I agree about Olivo.

[JasonC3]

Posted: 1/11/22 at 1:40pm

He was indeed horribly ill and it is amazing he sounded as good as he did.

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 1/11/22 at 1:51pm

He really didn't, he sounded terrible because he was sick. Not that he sounds great any other time though, honestly.

I would love a Chess Revival, Raul is not necessary. 

[broadwaybabywannabe2]

Posted: 1/11/22 at 2:28pm

Am i the only one who loves the book and production of the 2009 IDINA MENZEL/JOSH GROBAN/ADAM PASCAL concert version?...if they can reformat that production for the Broadway stage i say YES!!

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 1/11/22 at 2:31pm

I love it, I still watch it the DVD a couple times a year actually. The talent is INSANE. 

[broadwaybabywannabe2]

Posted: 1/11/22 at 2:42pm

Sutton Ross said: "I love it, I still watch it the DVD a couple times a year actually. The talent is INSANE."

YES!!...Adam Pascal singing "Pity the Child"...blows me away every damn time!!

Updated On: 1/11/22 at 02:42 PM

[ashley0139]

Posted: 1/11/22 at 3:01pm

I love the 2003 Actors Fund concert version. Josh Groban, Adam Pascal, Julia Murney, Sutton Foster, Norm Lewis, Raul Esparza. To me there is no better cast and I love that version of the show.

[Dylan Smith4]

Posted: 1/11/22 at 3:18pm

Since we are talking about a potential CHESS revival, let’s share our dream casts.

Anatoly - Ben Crawford

Florence - Carrie Hope Fletcher

Freddie - Jonathan Groff

Svetlana - Celia Rose Gooding