BWW Reviews: Cheers for CHESS at Dundalk Community Theatre - Go for the Voices!

This is community theater at its best. Director John Amato has assembled some incredible voices to sing the glorious melodies from ABBA's Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus (yes they are responsible for the monster hit MAMMA MIA!). Lyrics are by Tim Rice. This cast deserves to be seen to be believed.

I sat mesmerized listening to the cast of CHESS during a dress rehearsal. I can't imagine how great they'll be with a couple of shows under their belt.

For those who have never been to downtown Dundalk...now is your chance to find the John E. Ravekes Theatre, K Building on the campus of the Community College of Baltimore County, Dundalk, 7200 Sollers Point Rd. While it may not be easy to find (you can't even see the theatre from Sollers Point Rd.), do not in any way let this inhibit your journey to hear some great music.

Even as I am writing this review...I cannot stop humming the beautiful, infectious melodies like the amazing "You and I", "I Know Him So Well", "Anthem", and "Pity the Child".

Yet with all this beautiful music, the show was a flop on Broadway in 1988. It lasted a mere 68 performances. England was another story where it was a hit for over two years.

I first became acquainted with the show in 1993 at the Maryland Arts Festival at Towson University where Shawn Doyle played the lead under the direction of, now famous, Kathleen Marshall and even Director John Amato was in that production playing the role of Molokov. The other production I was enamored with was at the Signature Theatre in Shirlington, Virginia (where COMPANY is their next production) which had the imprimatur of the composers and directed by Eric Schaeffer. And what a cast it had - Euan Morton, Judy Paice, Jeremy Kushnier, and Christopher Bloch (who just finished his tremendous role at the Everyman Theatre in GOD OF CARNAGE).

According to Amato's notes in the program, there were only three other CHESS productions in the Baltimore/Washington area since its London opening in 1986.

You have to give the Dundalk Community Theatre a ton of credit for trying to pull this off. Director Amato got himself a great cast. Kudos to all who worked on it, including the marvelous ensemble. I just hope the public will show up.

And the reason is the cast.

I've never seen an actor like Ken Ewing tackle the role of Freddie like he does, the Bobby Fischer character. Ewing brings a new take to the role and he is so fun to watch.

Playing the Russian Boris Spassky character (Anatoly) is Steve Antonsen who nails his part. Whenever he sang, the entire audience almost stood at attention.

The love story involves Anatoly's relationship with Freddie's fist assistant, Florence, the diminutive Amy Agnese. Agnese is only diminutive in size. Her voice is just plain lovely and she has a great belt.

The real shock of the evening is Lisa Pastella-Young who plays Sveltana, Anatoly's Russian wife who visits the chess match in Budapest. She sings like a nightingale. Powerful, yet gentle at times. I will always remember the incredible duet she shares with Agnese during "I Know Him So Well".

Adding to the success of the evening is the incredible orchestra. Musical Director is Glenette Rohner Schumacher and the Conductor is Tim Viets. The twelved member pit is comprised of Chris Rose (Keyboard I), Sterling Gray (Keyboard II), Andrew Dissen (Bass), Jason Wise (Guitar), Saul Green (Percussion), Steve Haaser (Reeds), Frank Gorecki (Trumpet), Jeff Harrigan (Trombone), Mark Erickson (Violin), Patricia Wnek (Violin), Michael Vaughn (Violin), and Catherine Mikelson (Cello).

CHESS continues until May 5. Try to fit it in your schedule. For tickets, call 443-840-2787 or visit www.ccbcmd.edu/performingarts/dct.

cgshubow@broadwayworld.com

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