Signature Theatre Extends CHESS Thru 10/3

Signature Theatre today announced that the run of its hit production of the rock musical Chess will be extended for one week through Sunday, October 3. Tickets for the extension, ranging in price from $71 to $85, will go on sale on Tuesday, September 7 at (703) 573-SEAT (7328) or visiting www.signature-theatre.org.

Director Eric Schaeffer stated, "It's exciting that Chess has been so embraced by everyone! It's wonderful to see packed houses rockin' out to this amazing score and breathtaking performances night after night. We've been breaking box office records and wanted to give more people the opportunity to experience this special theatrical event."

The critics are praising Signature's production of Chess. The Washington Post called the singing "a gateway to musical-theater nirvana." Variety classified the production as "superb...edgy performances, terrific voices and impeccable staging" and Washingtonian.com named Chess "a theatrical delight." The Tony Award®-winning Signature Theatre has a national reputation for its work with musicals - polishing underappreciated gems, as well as producing world premieres and reinventing classics.

The world of Cold War intrigue, forbidden love, and 1980s rock rules at Virginia's Signature Theatre with the legendary musical Chess by the composers of Mamma Mia!. The first major American production in almost 20 years-and the Washington region's very first professional production-stars Broadway's Jill Paice (Curtains), Euan Morton (Boy George in Taboo), and Jeremy Kushnier (Footloose) in the Russian/American conflict made new again. Director Eric Schaeffer (Broadway's Million Dollar Quartet) and his creative team capture the gritty, sexy world of Chess' 1985 radio hit ‘One Night in Bangkok' in the impressive intimacy of Signature's 276-seat MAX Theatre.

In the musical Chess, two international chess masters-one American, one Russian-compete for the world championship only to find that their greatest contest is for the love of the same woman. Amidst political intrigue and international conspiracies, Freddie and Anatoly fight to take the queen in a romantic triangle that mirrors the heightened passions of the Cold War. Originally produced on Broadway in 1988, this Tony-nominated rock musical explores the classic themes of love, loss and betrayal. In addition to ‘One Night in Bangkok,' Chess features unforgettable songs as such ‘Anthem,' ‘I Know Him So Well,' ‘Nobody's Side,' and ‘Pity the Child.' Time Magazine called it "one of the best rock scores ever produced in the theater."

Chess features music composed by the male half of ABBA Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson (Mamma Mia!), lyrics by Evita and Lion King lyricist Tim Rice, and book by award-winning playwright Richard Nelson. At Signature Theatre, the music direction and new orchestrations are by David Holcenberg, an expert on Ulvaeus and Andersson's musical theatre work who is currently the Associate Music Supervisor for Mamma Mia! in North and South America. The creative team also includes Karma Camp (choreography), Daniel Conway (sets), Chris Lee (lights), Kathleen Geldard (costumes), Matt Rowe (sound), and Aaron Fisher (projection design).

PERFORMANCE DATES
Performances of Chess have been extended through Sunday, October 3. Show times are Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 7:30 pm, Thursdays and Fridays at 8:00 pm, Saturdays at 2:00 pm and 8:00 pm, and Sundays at 2:00 pm and 7:00 pm.

Group discounts are available for parties of ten or more by contacting Bethany Shannon at shannonb@signature-theatre.org or by calling (571) 527-1831. For more information please visit www.signature-theatre.org.

Photo credit Scott Suchman