another CHESS posting....song list from the benefit concert

[Lorelai]

Posted: 9/28/03 at 9:10pm

I know I already posted on my confusion about the show because I didn't know until I read the responses on here that there is no official version of the show.
after listening to both the london and the US version, i realized that the version that was performed at the actors fund benefit is pretty different than either of them.
so....if anyone was wondering, here is the song list. I also included the characters that sang them because i know there is at least one song (Someone Else's Stoty) that is sung by a different character in the two recordings. also, one of the songs ("The Arbiter") isn't on either of the recordings. personally, i really liked the version they did at the benefit, i've really like to hear what you all think about it:

Act 1

Merano (Freddie, Mayor and citizens)
Anatoly and Molokov (Anatoly and Molokov)
Where I Want to Be (Anatoly)
Diplomats (Walter, Molokov, ensemble)
The Arbiter (The Arbiter, ensemble)
Hymn (ensemble)
Merchandisers (ensemble)
A Model of Decorum and Tranquility (Molokov, Florence, The Arbiter, Anatoly)
Florence and Molokov (Florence and Molokov)
1956 - Budapest is Rising (Florence, Freddie)
Nobody's Side (Florence, ensemble)
Mountain Duet (Anatoly and Florence)
Who'd Ever Think It? (Freddie)
Chess Game #1 (CHESS orchestra)
Florence Quits (Florence, Freddie)
A Taste of Pity (Florence, Freddie)
Embassy Lament (Civil Servants)
Anatoly and the Press (Anatoly and reporters)
Anthem (Anatoly)

Act 2

One Night in Bangkok (Freddie and ensemble)
Heaven Help My Heart (Florence)
You and I (Anatoly and Florence)
You and I (Anatoly and Svetlana)
Someone Else's Story (Svetlana)
Interview (Anatoly, Walter, reporters)
Freddie Goes Metal (Freddie)
Florence Quits (reprise) (Florence)
Pity the Child (Freddie)
The Deal (Arbiter, Molokov, Svetlana, Anatoly, Walter, Florence, Freddie)
I Know Him So Well (Svetlana and Florence
Chess Game #2 (CHESS orchestra)
Endgame (Arbiter, Molokov, Svetlana, Anatoly, Walter, Florence, Freddie, ensemble)
You and I (Anatoly and Florence)
The Story of Chess (Arbiter)
You and I - reprise (Anatoly and Florence)
I Know Him So Well - reprise (Florence)
Finale (Anatoly and Florence)

Updated On: 9/28/03 at 09:10 PM

[musicaltheatreman]

Posted: 9/28/03 at 10:17pm

cool! thanks =) i wish i could have seen it i wish there was a recording of it! could you describe the set for me! thanks :)

Posted: 9/28/03 at 10:22pm

That looks like the New version that is available.

[Lorelai]

Posted: 9/28/03 at 11:08pm

musicaltheatreman:

the stage was set up like this. there were three levels. the top two were like bleachers, above the stage and one in front of the other. the top bleacher was where the choir was seated and the level in from of them was where the orchestra was placed (hard to describe, but you could see everyone from top to bottom) then in the middle, about halfway up the bleacher-type things there were steps that the actors could enter from and at the top of the steps is where they sang "mountain duet" and where josh sang "anthem". the bottom was the stage and the sides were mostly used for the actors to exit and enter and in the middle of the stage there was a huge chess board, the corner of which hung off the stage and i'm sure this is how it was done in past productions, but dancers where used to represent chess pieces during each of the games played and represented what move each played was making. the dancers were amazing, to say the least. so the set was pretty minimal, but it more than served its purpose.

[Jennifer]

Posted: 9/29/03 at 9:41am

also, one of the songs ("The Arbiter") isn't on either of the recordings.

I can't speak for all the recordings, but this song is on the London Concept recording. It's called "Opening Ceremony".