Tim Rice Teases CHESS Broadway Revival — Page 2

Dylan Smith4 said: "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"

I'm actually fairly on board with this cast, though I think Celia might be too young.

What was the other song that Svetlana had in some productions that wasn't Someone Else's Story? I don't think it's on any of the major cast albums but there's definitely a video of it online. And there are also the modified lyrics for Someone Else's Story that make it work better for Svetlana, so I wonder which version they'd go with, especially since it sounds like Tim Rice will be pretty involved.

chrishuyen said: "What was the other song that Svetlana had in some productions that wasn't Someone Else's Story? I don't think it's on any of the major cast albums but there's definitely a video of it online. And there are also the modified lyrics for Someone Else's Story that make it work better for Svetlana, so I wonder which version they'd go with, especially since it sounds like Tim Rice will be pretty involved."

It was called "He Is A Man, He Is A Child." It was written in 2002 for the Stockholm production, which threw out every prior book and wrote its own, and, given its origin for a production largely without Tim's involvement, is the only song in the show without Tim Rice lyrics. (He wrote some, they've just never used them.)

As for the modified lyrics for "Someone Else's Story," you're talking to the guy who reminded Tim they existed (no, seriously, I have the receipts). If he needs reminding again, I could always give it a go.

I really want to see a production directed by Phyllida Lloyd

Owen22 said: That is yet another reworking of the dreadful West End original."

The original West End production was truly the best! Definitely better than the Broadway production, which they screwed up.

I actually like the Ben Crawford/Jonathan Groff casting… I’d also consider an older casting of Heather Headley (I think nobody’s side would be so good) and Cheyenne Jackson (Freddie)

Or brendon urie as Freddie, Heather Headley, Lea Salonga, and Cheyenne Jackson (Anatoly)

do you think the show would require “stars” in the roles to sell tickets?

As much as I’d love to see a big budget revival, it screams flop. Maybe Lincoln Center can give us a lush production.

Mpkenny99 said: "Throwing this out there:

Anatoly - Euan Morton (was brilliant at Signature theatre in the role)

Florence - Caroline Bowman

Freddie - Lucas Steele

Svetlana - Ruthie Ann Miles (was great at the Kennedy Center)



The 4 of them combined would sell about a dozen tickets.

I can only pray the assembled team that Rice has hinted at does not include Laurence Connor. When I saw his name attached to the most recent London revival (in fact the only West End revival to date), I didn't set my expectations high...and still I was disappointed, if not bewildered, by the mess that was presented on stage. It was the only time I'd seen the show in the theatre (as opposed to just listening to the concept album) and rather than come up with something that could disguise the many flaws in the show, that staging just exposed them even more.

ashley0139 said: "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."

Feel much the same way. I do wish someone had (or would) record the sung-through version originally done in London, but I think this is a work that can be reconfigured in many different ways and still entertain.

Dylan Smith4 said: "Owen22 said:That is yet another reworking of the dreadful West End original."

The original West End production was truly the best! Definitely better than the Broadway production, which they screwed up."

I have seen four different productions of Chess, and the one I thought was best was the version done by the Signature Theatre in Virginia. The original London version was visually stunning, but I found it confusing, and a tad too long, i.e., slow. The Signature probably has 250 seats or so. Maybe a revival, if there really is one, should be scaled small, so they actually have a chance of succeeding financially. Every version of the show I have seen still had a coldness which I fear will always keeo this from being a large crowd-pleaser.

Joevitus, the Danish Complete recording is the London original plus “Someone Else’s Story.” It’s in English.

And "Pity the Child" moved to Act II, but yes.