CHESS Opens at the Arvada Center March 27

The Arvada Center will open the regional premiere of a new restaging of  Chess, A Musical directed by Rod A. Lansberry on March 27 running through April 15, 2012 in the Main Stage Theater. Performances are Tuesday – Saturday at 7:30 pm, Wednesday at 1pm, Saturday and Sunday at 2pm.  Preview performances are March 23 – 25. Moderated talkbacks with the cast are offered on Friday, April 6 after 7:30 p.m. show and Wednesday, April 11 after 1:00 p.m. show.  Ticket prices range from $35 (previews) - $72. Group rates are available. For more information and to purchase tickets, go to www.arvadacenter.org or call 720-898-7200.

Originally debuting in London's West End and later on Broadway, Chess is a rock opera that uses the game of chess - with all of its power plays, manipulations, and sacrificial pawns - as a metaphor for the universal conflicts in love and life as well as global strife and the desire for a peaceful coexistence.

The Arvada Center's own staging of Chess includes music by ABBA founding members, Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus (Mama Mia!) and lyrics by Tim Rice (Jesus Christ Superstar and Evita). The show is based on an original concept by Tim Rice and is being newly revised under the direction of multi-award winning director Rod Lansberry. 

The cast features Gregg Goodbrod (Freddie), Tally Sessions (Anatoly), Sydney James Harcourt (Arbiter), Stephen Day (Molokov), Colin Alexander (Walter), Lisa Karlin (Florence) and Megan Van de Hey as Svetlana. A strong ensemble who will assume multiple roles finishes out the casting. They are Matthew Dailey, Daniel Herron, Ellen Kaye, Angela Mendez, Adam Pellegrine, Mercedes Perez, Susie Roelofsz, Jacob Lewis Smith, Alan Swadener, and Anne Vick.  

In addition to director Rod Lansberry, the creative team is David Nehls (musical director), Kitty Skillman Hilsabeck (choreographer), Brian Mallgrave (scene design), Clare Henkel (costume design), Jacob M. Welch (light design) and Steve Stevens (sound design).

The Arvada Center is located at 6901 Wadsworth Blvd. and provides free parking for all its patrons. For more information go to www.arvadacenter.org or call 720-898-7200.