CHESS at the Kennedy Center

[curel1]

https://www.broadway.com/buzz/190417/raul-esparza-karen-olivo-ramin-karimloo-ruthie-ann-miles-to-lead-chess-at-the-kennedy-center/

What a cast!

Only 4 days though :/

[disneybroadwayfan22]

Why, oh why does this have to happen while I'm in Florida? :X

[DottieD'Luscia]

I already have my ticket.

In the Heights (March) is completely sold out.

[irishgator1]

I already have my ticket too!

May have a spare though. My sister was asked today if hypothetically she’d work the Olympics in Korea; if so, she’d miss this and I’d have a spare ticket.

[little_sally]

I'm so glad I got my tickets months ago!

[jkstheatrescene]

Just bought my ticket this minute!  Don't know who I'm most excited to see... I love all of the announced leads.

[BroadwayConcierge]

Wow, what a freaking cast. I think this is aimed toward Broadway, no?

[LYLS3637]

BroadwayConcierge said: "Wow, what a freaking cast. I think this is aimed toward Broadway, no?"

I think all that rides on Danny Strong's book changes. If he manages to finally make it work and audiences respond to it, I can see them trying to mount a Broadway transfer. 

[Emmaloucbway]

This cast is incredible!!!! I wish I could go to D.C. to see it!
There were rumors of a broadway production coming soon, so I wonder if that's related to this concert.

[BroadwayNYC2]

Have an awesome seat for this. The Eisenhower Theater is quite intimate so I couldn't be more excited to see it. 

Was pulling for Carmen Cusack for Florence, but I can't complain with Olivo. 

[darquegk]

Is it an entirely new book, or is it a revision of the US book or the British book?

[orangeskittles]

^Yes Emmaloucbway. They've been workshopping it.

I'm a total Chess nerd, so I'm less concerned about the new book than I am about the score. The only thing I want to know about the new book is that I hope it doesn't do like the Actor's Fund concert where Act 2 is a rematch between Anatoly and Freddie again. Because that's so lame. Freddie makes sense as a commentator. Molokov rolling up with to the chess world championships in Bangkok to stage a press conference with Svetlana when Russia isn't even involved makes less sense.

Dottie- when are you going? I'm trying to decide how many times I want to see it in 5 days.

[JBC3]

$20.86 ticketing charge on one ticket is robbery.

[curel1]

Never seen anything at the Eisenhower. How is the balcony seating?

[CATSNYrevival]

Another new book? I still enjoy the Albert Hall concert version the best.

[hork]

Ho. Ly. Crap. My favorite musical, directed by my favorite director, starring my favorite singer (Karimloo) and one of the stars of my other favorite musical (Olivo), plus Bryce Pinkham as a bonus? This show was made for me, and yet there's no way I can get to Washington in February. 

[BroadwayNYC2]

The Balcony at the Eisenhower is great, not that high up, great site lines and still feels close to the stage. I believe the Kennedy Center has a virtual tour somewhere on the website.

[Nycat63]

hork said: "Ho. Ly. Crap. My favorite musical, directed by my favorite director, starring my favorite singer (Karimloo) and one of the stars of my other favorite musical (Olivo), plus Bryce Pinkham as a bonus? This show was made for me, and yet there's no way I can get to Washington in February."

Right there with you feeling your pain.  Nearly cried when I saw this knowing there is no way I will get to go.  

[quizking101]

The mental image of hearing Esparza and Karimloo inhabiting and singing in the same space caused my non-existent ovaries to shatter with delight...

[pdjennings]

WOW - We bought tix months ago (because, Chess!) and got amazing front row seats ... I've never been so glad!  Wooooohoooooo!

[Emmaloucbway]

Nycat63 said: "hork said: "Ho. Ly. Crap. My favorite musical, directed by my favorite director, starring my favorite singer (Karimloo) and one of the stars of my other favorite musical (Olivo), plus Bryce Pinkham as a bonus? This show was made for me, and yet there's no way I can get to Washington in February."

Right there with you feeling your pain. Nearly cried when I saw this knowing there is no way I will get to go. "

 

Same here, lol! Huge fan of the show and cast.

[Jarethan]

BroadwayNYC2 said: "The Balcony at the Eisenhower is great, not that high up, great site lines and still feels close to the stage. I believe the Kennedy Center has a virtual tour somewhere on the website."

For such a small theatre, I think the balcony sucks.  The first row center of the balcony feels much further  from the stage than most broadway theatres, with the exception (off the top of my head) of the Gershwin (whose mezzanine also sucks...seems like it is in a different state) and the Minskoff, both of which are large musical theatres.  It has been so long since I have been in the Majestic (25+ years) that I can't remember how far away that seems, but again I am comparing a small playhouse with a huge musical theatre.

When I cannot see the faces very well from the first row of the balcony, I do not consider that good.

[BroadwayNYC2]

balcony feels much further  from the stage than most broadway theatres

That's because it is. It overhangs the orchestra at Row V or so. Still, I've never had a bad few whenever I've seen a show there. I never sit in balconies at theaters, but I can more than tolerate the height and distance of this one. 

[sorano916]

Since it's a concert style like City Center, being in the balcony won't be too terrible as long as you hear everything. 

[dandeliondream401]

Does anyone know how the view from the orchestra is? I received tickets on row R as a gift and now I'm starting to wonder if it's too far away. I'd really like to be able to see the action on the stage!