Larry Alexander to Star in TheatreZone's CHESS, 3/6-16

You can go home again.

Just ask Broadway actor Larry Alexander.

Alexander is returning to TheatreZone reprising the role of Anatoly (The Russian) in our March production of Chess - the Musical.

"The first time I played Anatoly was in the national tour in 1989-90," explains Larry. "I was cast as the understudy."

Fate intervened during the Monday morning rehearsal when the actor originally cast as Anatoly left the production paving the way for Larry to audition for the lead role on Tuesday morning. Director Des McAnuff (Tony award winner for Big River, Tommy and Jersey Boys) hired Larry and he became Anatoly on Wednesday morning.

Fate intervened again in 2007 when TheatreZone founder Mark Danni cast Larry as Anatoly in its sophomore season. Larry was a last minute replacement, but the production marked the first time he worked with Danni and wife actress Karen Molnar. Since then, Larry has appeared in 10 TheatreZone productions.

"I'm so excited to do this show again," confides Alexander. "Most of the original cast from the 2007 production have returned," he adds. He is reuniting with actress Sue Nock (Florence) with whom he played West Side Story in 1987 touring together across Europe.

"It's like coming home again," he continues. "Anatoly is one of my favorite roles because this musical has one of the best scores ever written. Period."

For the national tour, Larry rehearsed in New York for three weeks before opening in Miami. Actor David Carroll played Anatoly on Broadway. (Side note: Anatoly is the second time Larry has played the same role as Carroll who also played the Baron in Grand Hotel on Broadway while Larry played the Baron at TheatreZone's production of Grand Hotel last season). Larry reports he worked closely with actor John Herrera, who played Antaly on the national tour and studied with Russian dialecticians to master the dramatic script.

While Chess lyricist Tim Rice, with composers Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus of ABBA, set the musical in the 70's, the original album was recorded in 1984 during the height of the Cold War when big Broadway musicals like Evita and Jesus Christ Superstar were thriving. While Chess opened on Broadway in 1988 before the Berlin Wall came down, it has now become a period piece with all the drama of the Cold War.

"Chess is a great love story," promises Alexander. "The musical explores what people are willing to give up to make someone else happy. The Woman gives up the Russian so she can be with her father and The Russian gives up The Woman so she can be with her father then the Russian government takes it all away and she's left alone anyway," he explains.

It's all about sacrifice and love.

For actor Larry Alexander, Chess has been a 24-year love story.

Chess performs at TheatreZone March 6 - 16, 2014.