Chess 1986 - Articles Page 11

Opened: May 14, 1986
Closing: April 08, 1989

Chess - 1986 - West End History , Info & More

Prince Edward Theatre
(Leicester Square/Tottenham Court Road) Old Compton Street London

A superb cast of West End stars including James Fox (Fame Academy, Jesus Christ Superstar), Shona White (Wicked), Tam Mutu (Love Never Dies), Rebecca Lock (The Phantom of the Opera, Avenue Q), James Graeme (The Phantom of the Opera), David Erik (Dirty Dancing, The Phantom of the Opera) and Steve Varnom (The Woman in White) lead a cast of 30 actors and musicians in this unmissable production.



Written by Tim Rice and ABBA’s Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson, CHESS has one of the greatest musical theatre scores of all time including One Night In Bangkok, Pity The Child, Anthem, You And I and, of course, I Know Him So Well.



Two of the world's greatest chess masters battle it out at the world chess championships but their greatest contest is for the love of one woman. Amidst political intrigue and international conspiracies, the American and the Russian fight to win the heart of Florence Vassy in a romantic triangle that mirrors the heightened passions of the Cold War all set to an explosive score by the composers of Mamma Mia and the lyricist of Jesus Christ Superstar and Evita.



Make your move now and book for the must-see musical event of the year!

Chess - 1986 - West End Cast

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Chess - 1986 - West End Articles Page 11

Elaine Paige To Release New Album On September 21
by Charlie Piane - Aug 27, 2009


The First Lady of British musical theatre, Elaine Paige will release a new album, 'Elaine Paige Live - Celebrating a Life on Stage'. The album will be released worldwide on iTunes on September 21.

Elaine Paige To Film New DVD During Concert Tour In Australia And New Zealand, Begins In October
by Charlie Piane - Aug 24, 2009


The First Lady of British musical theatre, Elaine Paige will tour Australia and New Zealand in a new concert tour, beginning in October.

RIALTO CHATTER: Tim Rice Hopeful For CHESS To Return To The Stage
by Eddie Varley - Jun 16, 2009


PBS's Great Performances will air the spectacular London concert revival of Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus' 1986 cult musical Chess, featuring Reprise Records' Josh Groban and Idina Menzel as Chess in Concert on Wednesday, June 17th at 9 p.m. ET (check local listings).

TIVO RED ALERT: CHESS Premieres on PBS Wednesday, June 17th
by Robert Diamond - Jun 16, 2009


PBS' Great Performances will air a spectacular London concert version of Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus' 1986 cult musical CHESS as CHESS IN CONCERT on tomorrow night, Wednesday, June 17th at 9 p.m. ET (check local listings).

STAGE TUBE: Josh Groban On CHESS IN CONCERT
by Eddie Varley - Jun 12, 2009


PBS's Great Performances will air the spectacular London concert revival of Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus' 1986 cult musical Chess, featuring Reprise Records' Josh Groban and Idina Menzel as Chess in Concert on Wednesday, June 17th at 9 p.m. ET (check local listings).

STAGE TUBE: Menzel, Groban and Pascal Led CHESS IN CONCERT: The DVD Trailer
by Eddie Varley - May 29, 2009


PBS's Great Performances will air the spectacular London concert revival of Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus' 1986 cult musical Chess, featuring Reprise Records' Josh Groban and Idina Menzel as Chess in Concert on Wednesday, June 17th at 9 p.m. ET (check local listings).

Photo Flash: JOSEPH & THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT At Pittsburgh CLO
by Gabrielle Sierra - May 26, 2009


Hitch a rainbow ride through ancient Egypt when Pittsburgh CLO kicks off its 63rd Summer Season with Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Cheer for the kid in the coat May 26 through June 7 at the Benedum Center in the heart of downtown Pittsburgh's Cultural District.

Menzel, Pascal and Groban Lead CHESS IN CONCERT Limited Ed. CD Now Available for Pre-Order
by Eddie Varley - May 22, 2009


Idina Menzel's official website is announcing that the upcoming Chess in Concert cd is now available in a limited edition for pre-order on-line.

Photo Flash: Bean & Osmond In Rehearsal For Pittsburgh CLO's JOSEPH
by Gabrielle Sierra - May 20, 2009


Hitch a rainbow ride through ancient Egypt when Pittsburgh CLO kicks off its 63rd Summer Season with Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Cheer for the kid in the coat May 26 through June 7 at the Benedum Center in the heart of downtown Pittsburgh's Cultural District.

JOSEPH & THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT Opens At Pittsburgh CLO 5/26
by Gabrielle Sierra - May 12, 2009


Hitch a rainbow ride through ancient Egypt when Pittsburgh CLO kicks off its 63rd Summer Season with Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Cheer for the kid in the coat May 26 through June 7 at the Benedum Center in the heart of downtown Pittsburgh's Cultural District.

Royal Albert Hall's CHESS IN CONCERT With Idina Menzel To Be Aired In June 2009
by Gabrielle Sierra - Apr 16, 2009


Royal Albert Hall's CHESS IN CONCERT, originally presented May 12-13 2008 is set to air on PBS stations this June.

Controversial Play THE BUS STOP Premieres At Theater HAN 4/1
by BWW News Desk - Apr 1, 2009


Theatre HAN will present the New York Premiere of THE BUS STOP, the ground-breaking 1983 comedy by Nobel Prize winner Gao Xingjian. Condemned as 'spiritual pollution' by Chinese Communist Party officials and banned from production, the controversial play, which recalls Beckett's Waiting for Godot, earned Gao a reputation as an avant-garde writer to watch. Interpreted as an analogy for ineffective Communist government, the play was described by one eminent member of the party as 'the most pernicious piece of writing since the foundation of the People's Republic.' Translated by Shiao-Ling Yu and directed by Samantha Shechtman, previews begin March 26 at Sanford Meisner Theater. Opening night is slated for April 1.

Marvin Hamlisch Performs An Evening Of Music At Brooklyn College 4/25
by Gabrielle Sierra - Mar 31, 2009


Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts at Brooklyn College welcomes legendary composer/performer and 2008 Theater Hall of Fame inductee Marvin Hamlisch for an elegant evening of unforgettable music on Saturday, April 25, 2009 at 8pm, including selections from The Way We Were and A Chorus Line, along with tributes to Cole Porter, Richard Rodgers, and Scott Joplin. He will be joined on stage by tenor J. Mark McVey.

Theater HAN Presents Gao Xingjian's THE BUS STOP 3/26-4/19
by BWW News Desk - Mar 26, 2009


Theatre HAN invites you to the New York Premiere of THE BUS STOP, the ground-breaking 1983 comedy by Nobel Prize winner Gao Xingjian. Condemned as 'spiritual pollution' by Chinese Communist Party officials and banned from production, the controversial play, which recalls Beckett's Waiting for Godot, earned Gao a reputation as an avant-garde writer to watch. Interpreted as an analogy for ineffective Communist government, the play was described by one eminent member of the party as 'the most pernicious piece of writing since the foundation of the People's Republic.' Translated by Shiao-Ling Yu and directed by Samantha Shechtman, performances run March 26 - April 19 at Sanford Meisner Theater (164 Eleventh Avenue, between 22nd & 23rd Streets)

Brooklyn College Welcomes Composer Marvin Hamlisch 3/25
by Gabrielle Sierra - Mar 12, 2009


Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts at Brooklyn College welcomes legendary composer/performer and 2008 Theater Hall of Fame inductee Marvin Hamlisch for an elegant evening of unforgettable music on Saturday, April 25, 2009 at 8pm, including selections from The Way We Were and A Chorus Line, along with tributes to Cole Porter, Richard Rodgers, and Scott Joplin. He will be joined on stage by tenor J. Mark McVey.

Theater HAN Presents Gao Xingjian's THE BUS STOP 3/26-4/19
by Gabrielle Sierra - Mar 5, 2009


Theatre HAN invites you to the New York Premiere of THE BUS STOP, the ground-breaking 1983 comedy by Nobel Prize winner Gao Xingjian. Condemned as 'spiritual pollution' by Chinese Communist Party officials and banned from production, the controversial play, which recalls Beckett's Waiting for Godot, earned Gao a reputation as an avant-garde writer to watch. Interpreted as an analogy for ineffective Communist government, the play was described by one eminent member of the party as 'the most pernicious piece of writing since the foundation of the People's Republic.' Translated by Shiao-Ling Yu and directed by Samantha Shechtman, performances run March 26 - April 19 at Sanford Meisner Theater (164 Eleventh Avenue, between 22nd & 23rd Streets)

Controversial Play THE BUS STOP Premieres At Theater HAN 4/1
by Gabrielle Sierra - Feb 12, 2009


Theatre HAN will present the New York Premiere of THE BUS STOP, the ground-breaking 1983 comedy by Nobel Prize winner Gao Xingjian. Condemned as 'spiritual pollution' by Chinese Communist Party officials and banned from production, the controversial play, which recalls Beckett's Waiting for Godot, earned Gao a reputation as an avant-garde writer to watch. Interpreted as an analogy for ineffective Communist government, the play was described by one eminent member of the party as 'the most pernicious piece of writing since the foundation of the People's Republic.' Translated by Shiao-Ling Yu and directed by Samantha Shechtman, previews begin March 26 at Sanford Meisner Theater. Opening night is slated for April 1.

'Cursed Muggles!', Nunn Says No 'HARRY POTTER' Musical Anytime Soon
by Eddie Varley - Jan 26, 2009


UK's The Telegraph is reporting that Trevor Nunn discussed the potential for a Harry Potter musical and the fact that he almost had the rights for such a project, but the timing wasn't right...Nunn presented a South Bank Show lifetime achievement award to Sir Cameron Mackintosh last week and told the Telegraph that Warner Bros swiped the production rights from under his nose. 'Many many years ago I proposed it and they said: 'Oh if only you had come to us a few weeks ago. We have just sold the movie rights',' he harrumphs. 'It will be a long time now before anyone is allowed to stage Harry Potter.'

CHESS in Concert with Menzel, Groban and Pascal Coming to PBS in 2009
by Robert Diamond - Jan 16, 2009


Air dates have not yet been set, but Wicked's Idina Menzel and Rent's Adam Pascal will join Great Performances favorite Josh Groban in a spectacular London concert revival of Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus' 1986 cult musical Chess, this summer on Great Performances (check local listings). Presented by THIRTEEN in 5.1 digital surround sound on PBS HD, and featuring diamond-sharp lyrics by Tim Rice (Evita, The Lion King), the hit-filled production ('One Night in Bangkok,' 'I Know Him So Well,' 'The Anthem') was recorded in performance at Royal Albert Hall. 'A fantastic night' proclaimed musiccomh.com, while thestage.co asked 'Is there an original pop musical stuffed with better melodies?' neatly echoing Time's initial 1988 assessment: 'One of the best rock scores ever produced.' Adding to the excitement is the 50-piece City of London Philharmonic, led by David Firman, and the 100-voice West End Chorus.

Nunn to 'Breakfast at Tiffany's' in West End?
by Eddie Varley - Dec 27, 2008


WhatsOnStage.com is reporting that world-renowned director Trevor Nunn is rumoured to be planning a stage adaptation of the classic film Breakfast at Tiffany's for the West End stage.

BWW's 2008 Holiday Year-End Book Roundup
by Robert Diamond - Dec 11, 2008


Here it is - the year end 'holiday roundup' of books, which, by the way, make for a perfect gift...and an affordable one, that will last much longer than flowers, cookies or fruitcake (that no one wants anyway).

Usdan Center to Host 'Voices of Broadway,' July 16
by BWW News Desk - Jun 18, 2007


'Voices of Broadway,'on July 16, with cast members of The Producers, Avenue Q, Chicago, Les Miserables and Seussical, are among the featured performers at Usdan Center's Festival Concerts series -- educational performances for students at the nationally acclaimed summer arts camp.

Nunn to Direct West End Gone with the Wind; Opens '08
by BWW News Desk - Jun 1, 2007


Trevor Nunn will direct a new music theatre adaptation of Margaret Mitchell's classic novel, Gone with the Wind, with music and lyrics by Margaret Martin, opening at the New London Theatre in April 2008

Espinosa and Austin Cast in World AIDS Day Concert of Rags
by BWW News Desk - Oct 11, 2006


On December 11th, 2006, the 4th Annual World AIDS Day Concert will take place. This year's presentation, a 20th Anniversary Concert of the Broadway musical Rags, will be held at Times Square's brand new Nokia Theater.

Schwartz and Strouse's Rags is Next World AIDS Day Concert
by BWW News Desk - Jul 27, 2006


Rags, by Stephen Schwartz and Charles Strouse, will be the next World AIDS Day concert

Other Productions of Chess

1984   London Fringe London Concert
London Fringe
1986   West End Original London Production
West End
1988   Broadway Broadway Production
Broadway
1992   Off-Broadway Off-Broadway Revival
Off-Broadway
1992   Milburn, NJ (Regional) Paper Mill Production
Milburn, NJ (Regional)
1997   Australia Australian Revival
Australia
1998   New York New York Concert
New York
2001   Nyack Concert
2003   Broadway Actors' Fund Concert
Broadway
2018   Washington, DC (Regional) Kennedy Center Broadway Center Stage Revival
Washington, DC (Regional)
2018   West End London Coliseum Revival Production
West End

Chess - 1986 West End Awards and Nominations

Note: Award winners will appear on a background
Year Ceremony Category Nominee
1986 Olivier Awards Musical of the Year Benny Andersson
1986 Olivier Awards Musical of the Year Bjorn Ulvaeus
1986 Olivier Awards Musical of the Year Tim Rice
1986 Olivier Awards Outstanding Performance of the Year by an Actor in a Musical Tommy Korberg
1986 Olivier Awards Outstanding Performance of the Year by an Actress in a Musical Elaine Paige

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