Musical Theatre Guild Presents CHESS, 2/11 & 17

The award-winning Musical Theatre Guild, a company of professional performers who present concert-staged readings of seldom seen musicals, will continue its 17th season with the international hit CHESS. The opening performance will take place tonight, February 11, 2013 at 7:30 PM at the historic Alex Theatre in Glendale. A second, and final, performance will occur on Sunday, February 17, 2013 at 3:00 PM at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza's Scherr Forum.

Long before their jukebox musical MAMMA MIA, Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, formerly of ABBA, wrote the music for this show, which literally and metaphorically showcases The Game of Kings. With lyrics by Tim Rice (JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, EVITA), the musical began with a concept album released in 1984, which later evolved into a 1986 West End and a 1988 Broadway staging. The story revolves around the two top players, an American and a Russian, in a world chess tournament. They find themselves competing for both the championship and for the affections of the woman who manages one, yet yearns for the other. The thrilling pop score includes "One Night in Bangkok", "Anthem" and "I Know Him So Well."

Starring in CHESS are: Dan Callaway (Anatoly), Louis Pardo (Freddie), Shannon Warne (Florence), Melissa Lyons (Svetlana), Jason Graae (Arbiter), Joshua Finkel (Molokov), Will Collyer (Walter) and Reed Armstrong (Gregor). Completing the cast are Tomasina Abate, Jill Marie Burke, Kathy Deitch, Trey Ellett, Jeffrey Polk, Alyssa Simmons, Loren Smith and Brad Standley.

CHESS is directed by Kirsten Chandler with musical direction by David Lamoreaux and is under the production coordination of Jeffrey Christopher Todd.

The Alex Theatre is located at 216 North Brand Blvd in Glendale. Tickets are available at the Alex Theatre box office, online at www.alextheatre.org or by calling 818-243-ALEX. The Scherr Forum at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza is located at 2100 Thousand Oaks Blvd. in Thousand Oaks. Tickets to this venue are available by calling Ticketmaster at 800-745-3000, online at www.ticketmaster.comor by visiting the Civic Arts Plaza box office.