Dundalk Community Theatre Opens CHESS, 4/26

Dundalk Community Theatre concludes its season with a production of the ABBA hit musical CHESS. Performances run from April 26 to May 5. Director John Amato's vast knowledge of the show and his extremely talented cast bring to life this much anticipated cult-classic for diehard fans. Individual tickets are $23 for adults, $20 for senior adults and $15 for students/DCT Actors/Children 12 and under.

CHESS: The Musical centers on an American and a Russian Grandmaster chess player competing for the title of International Chess Champion. Set during the Cold War, the game involves not only chess but the love of a woman torn between these two top players. It all takes place "One Night in Bangkok", which became a number three hit on the Billboard Top 100, helping spread the popularity of the show during the 1980's.

The concept album was released in 1984, written by Tim Rice (Jesus Christ Superstar & Evita) and ABBA's Benny Andersson & Bjorn Ulvaeus (Mamma Mia!). After years of work, it opened in London's West End in 1986 and played for three years. The U.S. version of the show premièred on Broadway in 1988. The album had various radio play including the songs: "I Know Him So Well", "Nobody's Side", "The Arbiter" and "Pity the Child".

Dundalk's cast is complete with some of the best local talent around. Members include: Ken Ewing (Freddie), Steve Antonsen (Anatoly), Amy Pierson Agnese (Florence), Timoth Copney (Walter), Jim Handakas (Molokov), Tom Wyatt (The Arbiter), Lisa Pastella (Svetlana), Lee Knox (Gregor), Gwen Lowell (Young Florence), James Knost (Nikolai), and Tracey Zimmerman, Lauren Lowell, Amy Greco, Marianne Shaughnessy, Monica Fafaul, Cheryl Campo, Kelsey Luchey, Emily Morgan, Sara Simpkins, Kim Hart, Ricky Blaha, Paul Kennedy, Michael Maistros, Jim Morgan (Ensemble). Directed by John Amato, Vocal Direction Glenette Schumacher, Choreography Tom Wyatt and Technical Director Marc Smith.

Show times are at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday - Oct 26 - Nov 4 in the John E. Ravekes Theatre, K Building. For tickets and information, call 443-840-2787. Patrons requiring special accommodations are urged to notify the Box Office at least two weeks in advance. The CCBC Box Office between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, or visit www.ccbcmd.edu/performingarts/dct.html .

Dundalk Community Theatre is a program of the college, providing high-quality live theatre experiences for the entire family at affordable prices. Tom Colonna, a veteran actor and director, serves as the Managing Director for DCT. DCT is in residence at the Community College of Baltimore County, Dundalk, 7200 Sollers Point Road.