Benny Andersson News

Checkmate. Chess, currently playing at The Long Center, is a champion. Though the material is a problematic chaos with music by ABBA members Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus and lyrics by Tim Rice, the co-production from SommerStock Austin and The Austin Playhouse wisely sweeps the problematic points under the chess board.

Just last night, Tony Award-nominee Robert Cuccioli (Jekyll & Hyde, Les Miserables), Helen Hayes Award-winner Natascia Diaz (Man of La Mancha, Seussical, The Capeman, Carnival) and Drew Sarich (Les Miserables, Lestat, starring in the upcoming Broadway-bound production of Rocky the Musical in Europe) starred in the benefit concert of the Benny Andersson, Tim Rice and Bjorn Ulvaeus musical CHESS for The Actor's Fund. This special CHESS "In Concept" Concert took place at LaGuardia Arts at Lincoln Center (100 Amsterdam Avenue). This stripped down all through-sung concert-version focused on the music, lyrics and characters, emulating the original 1984 concept album and incorporating virtually all of the original London score. BroadwayWorld brings you exclusive highlights from the concert below!

The July 30th 7:30pm benefit concert for The Actors Fund of the Benny Andersson, Tim Rice and Bjorn Ulvaeus musical CHESS will offer a limited amount of $30 Student Rush Tickets to students with a valid ID, cash only. Starring Tony Award-nominee Robert Cuccioli (Jekyll & Hyde, Les Miserables), Helen Hayes Award-winner Natascia Diaz (Man of La Mancha, Seussical, The Capeman, Carnival) and Drew Sarich (Les Miserables, Lestat, starring in the upcoming Broadway-bound production of Rocky the Musical in Europe) this special CHESS "In Concept" Concert will take place at LaGuardia Arts at Lincoln Center (100 Amsterdam Avenue); this stripped down all through-sung concert-version will focus on the music, lyrics and characters, emulating the original 1984 concept album and incorporating virtually all of the original London score.

Tony Award-nominee Robert Cuccioli (Jekyll & Hyde, Les Miserables), Helen Hayes Award-winner Natascia Diaz (Man of La Mancha, Seussical, The Capeman, Carnival) and Drew Sarich (Les Miserables, Lestat, starring in the upcoming Broadway-bound production of Rocky the Musical in Europe) will star in today's July 30th 7:30pm benefit concert of the Benny Andersson, Tim Rice and Bjorn Ulvaeus musical CHESS for The Actor's Fund. This special CHESS "In Concept" Concert will take place at LaGuardia Arts at Lincoln Center (100 Amsterdam Avenue). This stripped down all through-sung concert-version will focus on the music, lyrics and characters, emulating the original 1984 concept album and incorporating virtually all of the original London score.

Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus' MAMMA MIA!, the smash hit musical based on the songs of ABBA, returns to the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center August 2012. Performances begin on Tuesday, August 21 and run through Sunday, August 26 at the Fox Cities P.A.C.

ony Award-nominee Robert Cuccioli (Jekyll & Hyde, Les Miserables), Helen Hayes Award-winner Natascia Diaz (Man of La Mancha, Seussical, The Capeman, Carnival) and Drew Sarich (Les Miserables, Lestat, starring in the upcoming Broadway-bound production of Rocky the Musical in Europe) will star in the July 30th 7:30pm benefit concert of the Benny Andersson, Tim Rice and Bjorn Ulvaeus musical CHESS for The Actor's Fund. BroadwayWorld's Richard Ridge was at one of CHESS' rehearsals and brings you exclusive footage and interviews with the cast and creative team in the video below!

Tony Award-nominee Robert Cuccioli (Jekyll & Hyde, Les Miserables), Helen Hayes Award-winner Natascia Diaz (Man of La Mancha, Seussical, The Capeman, Carnival) and Drew Sarich (Les Miserables, Lestat, starring in the upcoming Broadway-bound production of Rocky the Musical in Europe) will star in the July 30th 7:30pm benefit concert of the Benny Andersson, Tim Rice and Bjorn Ulvaeus musical CHESS for The Actor's Fund. This special CHESS "In Concept" Concert will take place at LaGuardia Arts at Lincoln Center, and the stripped down all through-sung concert-version will focus on the music, lyrics and characters, emulating the original 1984 concept album and incorporating virtually all of the original London score. Check out photos of the cast and creative team in rehearsal below!

Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus' MAMMA MIA! recently welcomed new principals Christy Altomare, Lauren Cohn, Daniel Cooney, Felicia Finley, Aaron Lazar, Graham Rowat and Zak Resnick who join Judy McLane as "Donna Sheridan" at the Winter Garden Theatre. Check out new production shots of the cast in action below!

Helen Hobson will return to the role of Donna Sheridan in the global smash hit musical MAMMA MIA! from Monday 24 September, less than three weeks after the musical, now in its 14th year in London, has transferred from the Prince of Wales Theatre to its new home, the Novello Theatre.

Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus' MAMMA MIA!, the smash hit musical based on the songs of ABBA, returns to Cleveland at the Palace Theatre, tonight, July 13 through July 22. Tickets are on sale now www.cleveland-theater.com.

As BroadwayWorld announced a couple of weeks ago, Robert Cuccioli, Natascia Diaz and Drew Sarich will star in the July 30th 7:30pm benefit concert of the Benny Andersson, Tim Rice and Bjorn Ulvaeus musical CHESS for The Actor's Fund. The show has featured many star-studded casts in the past, including Elaine Paige in the original London cast, Judy Kuhn in the original Broadway cast, and Idina Menzel in the 2009 concert cast. Last week's poll asked: what is your favorite CHESS cast recording? Your response was the 2009 concert cast, with 55% of the vote.

As BroadwayWorld announced earlier today, Robert Cuccioli, Natascia Diaz and Drew Sarich will star in the July 30th 7:30pm benefit concert of the Benny Andersson, Tim Rice and Bjorn Ulvaeus musical CHESS for The Actor's Fund.

Tony Award-nominee Robert Cuccioli (Jekyll & Hyde, Les Miserables), Helen Hayes Award-winner Natascia Diaz (Man of La Mancha, Seussical, The Capeman, Carnival) and Drew Sarich (Les Miserables, Lestat, starring in the upcoming Broadway-bound production of Rocky the Musical in Europe) will star in the July 30th 7:30pm benefit concert of the Benny Andersson, Tim Rice and Bjorn Ulvaeus musical CHESS for The Actor's Fund. This special CHESS "In Concept" Concert will take place at LaGuardia Arts at Lincoln Center (100 Amsterdam Avenue). This stripped down all through-sung concert-version will focus on the music, lyrics and characters, emulating the original 1984 concept album and incorporating virtually all of the original London score.

The Hives will return to the U.S. this Fall for a West Coast run in support of their lauded new album Lex Hives. Kicking off September 6 in Vancouver, the band will make stops in Seattle, Portland, Los Angeles, Oakland, Las Vegas and more.

Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus' MAMMA MIA!, the smash hit musical based on the songs of ABBA, returns to PlayhouseSquare this July. Performances begin on Friday, July 13 and run through Sunday, July 22 at the Palace Theatre.

Gary Milner will be joining real-life wife Sally Ann Triplett in the smash hit musical MAMMA MIA! at the Prince of Wales Theatre from tonight, 11 June 2012. Milner, who will play Sam Carmichael opposite Sally's Donna Sheridan, most recently appeared on stage playing the title role in Pericles at the Regent's Park Open Air Theatre.