Tim Rice Teases CHESS Broadway Revival- Page 2

[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

[chrishuyen]

Posted: 1/11/22 at 3:44pm

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.

[Owen22]

Posted: 1/11/22 at 7:59pm

broadwaybabywannabe2 said: "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!!"

That is yet another reworking of the dreadful West End original. 

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

Posted: 1/11/22 at 8:29pm

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.

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 1/11/22 at 9:15pm

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

That dreadful west end original was certainly better than the dumpster fire that ended up on Broadway.

[jewishboy]

Posted: 1/12/22 at 1:35am

I really want to see a production directed by Phyllida Lloyd

[SouthernCakes]

Posted: 1/12/22 at 2:25am

Love to see someone like Timbers try to tackle this. It’s a great musical but it’s always lacking something. Momentum? 

[Dylan Smith4]

Posted: 1/12/22 at 9:01am

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. 

[jenn328]

Posted: 1/12/22 at 9:53am

Raul had a throat infection and shouldn't have performed at all.  However, he didn't want to disappoint his fans so he performed anyway.  Karen was also sick.  

[Theatrefanboy1]

Posted: 1/12/22 at 10:23am

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?

[Timon3]

Posted: 1/12/22 at 2:06pm

I couldn’t see this back on Broadway TBH,  but could see this working as part of the Encores series. Where the focus would be more on the terrific score and would have a glorious orchestra to do that score justice.

The book is whatever, for that reason that’s why it wouldn’t work in a Broadway theatre.

Endgame is one of the most glorious songs written for theatre.

Updated On: 1/12/22 at 02:06 PM

[BroadwayNYC2]

Posted: 1/12/22 at 2:24pm

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]

Posted: 1/12/22 at 2:41pm

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)

 

 

[JSquared2]

Posted: 1/12/22 at 2:43pm

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.

 

 

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 1/12/22 at 3:04pm

I'd love to see an actor of Russian descent play Anatoly.

[The Scorpion]

Posted: 1/12/22 at 4:05pm

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.

[BCfitasafiddle]

Posted: 1/12/22 at 4:36pm

Perhaps a John Doyle Chess?

[joevitus]

Posted: 1/12/22 at 5:08pm

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. 

[Posner11]

Posted: 1/12/22 at 5:28pm

The Scorpion said: "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...andstillI 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."

Fully agree the revival really did lay all of the issues and faults out there and having seen several versions of the show it remains the most disappointing one I have seen especially as it have been a while since I had last seen it, bit worrying that Tim did seem to like and approve of that version.

But the one I would love to see is the current Moscow running version now on a 14 month plus run and apparently a absolute blockbuster smash in Russia.

The video clips on the chess musical.ru/en/ site show an energetic vocal and dance version with a three level stage set and some impressive visuals tech.

Tim, Bjorn and Benny have yet to see this version and it does look to be an expensive show with a very large cast but it seems to have the energy and visually powerful force to back up the wonderful score.

[Jarethan]

Posted: 1/12/22 at 6:16pm

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.

[MichelleCraig]

Posted: 1/12/22 at 7:19pm

I just wish the OBC recording would be released digitally. I never saw it on Broadway, but that recording is pretty special.

[darquegk]

Posted: 1/12/22 at 7:27pm

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

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 1/12/22 at 8:06pm

Isn't the Albert Hall concert version also largely the London original minus "Der Kleine Franz" and plus "Someone Else's Story?"

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

Posted: 1/12/22 at 11:05pm

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

[joevitus]

Posted: 1/13/22 at 10:41am

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

This is much appreciated. Thanks!