Ty Taylor Replaces Kunze in LA 'Chess' Benefit

Eric Kunze who was originally as Freddie the American in the LA Chess Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS Benefit at The Ford Amphitheatre in Los Angeles on September 17 at 8PM in unable to perform due to a scheduling conflict.

Ty Taylor, a musician best known as guitarist and vocalist of R&B group Dakota Moon, will replace Kunze.  Taylor was a contestant on the reality TV show "Rock Star: INXS," whose music career has included parts in the musicals Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Grease and We Will Rock You.

"After leaving 'Rockstar: INXS' he was asked by Dave Navarro to sing lead vocals for his band Camp Freddy. He has toured with Tina Turner, Eric Clapton, Macy Gray, Fiona Apple and more. Taylor also appeared on the cast recording of Jason Robert Brown's Songs for a New World," explain press notes.

Tim Rice, Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus' Chess centers around a chess championship and features the story of a world championship chess match between the Americans and the Russians. Set during the end of the cold war (1970's) a romantic triangle begins when an American chess champion defends his title against a Russian opponent who plans to defect.  The show will feature musical direction by Dan Redfeld (Little Women) and choreography by A.C. Ciulla (Footloose, Tony nomination).

The event, directed and produced by Brian Michael Purcell, will star Tony-nominee Susan Egan (Beauty and the Beast, Cabaret, Triumph of Love), Kevin Earley (Thoroughly Modern Millie, Les Miserables), Cindy Robinson (Into The Woods, Carousel, Peter Pan), Thomas Griffith (The Best Little Whorehouse Texas, 1776 at Hollywood Bowl), Tom Schmid (Annie Get Your Gun, The Last Empress) and Matthew Morrison (The Light in the Piazza, Hairspray tour, 10 Million Miles).

The event will be presented in honor of director and choreographer Jim Alexander, who died on May 25th.  Alexander was the former Producing Artistic Director of Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma.  He received numerous awards and critical acclaim for his productionsof West Side Story, Song and Dance, The Pirates of Penzance, A Chorus Line, Evita, Godspell, The World Goes 'Round, Man of La Mancha, An Inspector Calls, Always...Patsy Cline, Peter Pan, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Die Fledermaus, Guys and Dolls, Fiddler on The Roof and Jesus Christ Superstar.  He had most recently directed Song and Dance: Tell Me on a Sunday, starring his wife, Cindy Robinson, which opened on February 24th, 2007 in The Deaf West Theatre in North Hollywood. He was also the Founder and CEO of The Quest Theatre Company.

For tickets and information visit www.themusicalchess.com.

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