Chess - 1986 - West End Articles Page 5

Sarah McAvoy shines as Emily Webb in this powerful production of the Wilder masterpiece.

„One Night in Bangkok" gehort zu den großten Hits der Achtziger, aber wahrscheinlich wissen nur wenige, dass er aus dem Musical „Chess" stammt und dass dieser Rap wie auch alle weiteren Songs von den beiden Mannern der Popgruppe ABBA geschrieben wurde. „Chess" („Schach") erzahlt vom Schachspiel der Supermachte: 1972 trafen im islandischen Reykjavik der amerikanische Schachweltmeister Bobby Fischer und der sowjetrussische Herausforderer Boris Spassky aufeinander. Bis dahin ein Nischensport, stand Schach plotzlich im Rampenlicht der Weltoffentlichkeit - dank des vorherrschenden Kalten Krieges, der dieses Ereignis zum Stellvertreter-Krieg zwischen der USA und der UdSSR machte. Knapp neun Jahre spater setzte der Songwriter und Textdichter Tim Rice seinen Plan in die Tat um, anhand dieses Schachwettkampfes ein Musical zu kreieren, das nach einem uralten Theatertrick die politische mit der sportlichen sowie einer sehr privaten Ebene verband. Herausgekommen ist 1984 das Konzeptalbum „Chess" und 1986 die erste Buhnenfassung am Londoner Westend, inszeniert von Trevor Nunn.

Musical theatre is not generally known for being an early adopter of up-to-the-minute trends in popular music, particularly since the advent of rock n roll and the great divide between popular music and theatre music began in the 1950s. Nevertheless, the presence of modern music idioms in contemporary musicals is a fascinating and often wildly entertaining element to assess when analyzing the great pantheon of scores that have graced the Great White Way. With the predominance of rap music in popular music for the majority of the last 30 years, it comes as no surprise that many musicals have employed the genre in the storytelling and song styling designed specifically for the shows, but the level of success as storytelling devices, character showpieces and as authentic rap music itself varies. Of course, with HAMILTON set to open on Broadway later this month, all of New York City is talking about the persuasive power of the scores of Lin-Manuel Miranda, he who was responsible for multiple rap showstoppers in his self-penned Tony Award-winning musical IN THE HEIGHTS as well as the hip hop tunes in the screen-to-stage adaptation of BRING IT ON, so now is a perfect time to take a look back at some of the most memorable and revolutionary uses of rap music on Broadway to date.

The Attic Theater Company presents John Patrick Shanley's (pictured, left) the dreamer examines his pillow, directed by Laura Braza. The first official revival of the play since its premiere in 1986, the dreamer examines his pillow will play a strictly-limited Off-Broadway engagement at The Flea Theater (41 White Street, Tribeca) Saturday, July 25th through Saturday, August 15th. The Opening Night is tonight, July 30th at 7 PM.

The Attic Theater Company presents John Patrick Shanley's (pictured, left) the dreamer examines his pillow, directed by Laura Braza. The first official revival of the play since its premiere in 1986, the dreamer examines his pillow will play a strictly-limited Off-Broadway engagement at The Flea Theater (41 White Street, Tribeca) tonight, July 25th through Saturday, August 15th.

The Attic Theater Company presents John Patrick Shanley's the dreamer examines his pillow, directed by Laura Braza. The first official revival of the play since its premiere in 1986, the dreamer examines his pillow will play a strictly-limited Off-Broadway engagement at The Flea Theater (41 White Street, Tribeca) Saturday, July 25th through Saturday, August 15th.  The Opening Night is Thursday, July 30th at 7 PM. 

While certain design elements detract from the production, the performance of its leads, Teresa Danskey as Florence and Ward Ferguson as Anatoly, will remind you why Chess has endeared itself to generations of audiences.

Razor sharp and tourniquet tight, The House on the Lake is a psychological thriller, so crafty it's criminal. Mired deep in layers of deception, it's a puzzle of a play certain to engage the intellect and assault the nervous system.

Usdan Center for the Creative and Performing Arts, the nationally acclaimed summer arts day camp, announces that Dale Lewis, Usdan's Executive Director since 1984, will step down at the end of the 2015 summer season.

Today we are celebrating the unique history and standout score of cult 1980s mega-musical CHESS.

A successful Broadway company manager, general manager and producer for more than 20 years, Peter Neufeld passed away peacefully after a long battle with Parkinson's disease this morning, January 27, 2015, at The Actors Fund's Lillian Booth Residence in Englewood, NJ, where he had been living since 2007. He was 78.

OWN: OPRAH WINFREY NETWORK announces December 2014 programming highlights.

Arcadia Performing Arts Foundation presents its second season at the Arcadia Performing Arts Center -- Three Dog Night on Saturday, January 10 at 8 pm; The Four Tops on Saturday, February 21 at 8 pm; Big Bad Voodoo Daddy on Friday, March 27 at 8 pm; The Muppet Movie Sing-a-Long on Saturday, May 16 at 2 pm and Dick Fox Doo Wop Extravaganza on Saturday, June 6 at 7 pm. This four concert season, and the additional attraction The Muppet Movie Sing-A-Long, is presented by the Arcadia Performing Arts Foundation and is a means of raising funds to support arts in the schools and maintain this new, state-of-the-art facility.

Sting's THE LAST SHIP marks The Police lead singer's Broadway debut tonight, but he's far from the first music industry transplant on the Great White Way. Scroll down to learn more about some of the greatest music stars turned Broadway composers, and be sure to tell us your favorite (or any we left out) in the comments below!

Penguin Rep Theatre presents the New York premiere of The Fabulous Lipitones, a musical comedy by John Markus (head writer for The Cosby Show) and Mark St. Germain (Freud's Last Session, Becoming Dr. Ruth), directed by Peter Flynn, and starring Broadway veterans P.J. Benjamin (Wicked, Chicago), Scott Mikita (Phantom of the Opera), and Joe Ricci (A View from the Bridge), joined by Rachid Sabitri, from today, August 8 through August 31 in Stony Point, New York.

Penguin Rep Theatre presents the New York premiere of The Fabulous Lipitones, a musical comedy by John Markus (head writer for The Cosby Show) and Mark St. Germain (Freud's Last Session, Becoming Dr. Ruth), directed by Peter Flynn, and starring Broadway veterans P.J. Benjamin (Wicked, Chicago), Scott Mikita (Phantom of the Opera), and Joe Ricci (A View from the Bridge), joined by Rachid Sabitri, from August 8 through August 31 in Stony Point, New York.

The extraordinary four decade-plus recording career of seminal Texas blues-rocking guitar legend Johnny Winter, who celebrates his 70 th birthday on February 23, 2014, will be commemorated with the release of True To The Blues: The Johnny Winter Story.

The Independent, The Independent on Sunday, i and London Evening Standard are proud to launch The Independent's Elephant Appeal Christmas campaign in association with Space for Giants, with support from Jude Law, Clare Balding, Boris Johnson and Bear Grylls. Space for Giants raises money to combat elephant poaching in Africa.

Dallas Theater Center has announced the regional premiere of Clybourne Park, running in rotating rep with A Raisin in the Sun, to launch the theater's 55th season. Clybourne Park will be directed by DTC Associate Artistic Director Joel Ferrell. Clybourne Park begins with a Pay-What-You-Can performance tonight, October 4 and runs through Sunday, October 27 at the Dee and Charles Wyly Theatre in the AT&T Performing Arts Center.

Dallas Theater Center launches its 2013-14 season with A Raisin in the Sun. Tre Garrett of Fort Worth's Jubilee Theatre will make his directorial debut at DTC with this Tony Award-winning play. A Raisin in the Sun begins with a Pay-What-You-Can performance tonight, September 13 and runs through Sunday, October 27 at the Dee and Charles Wyly Theatre in the AT&T Performing Arts Center.

Dallas Theater Center has announced the regional premiere of Clybourne Park, running in rotating rep with A Raisin in the Sun, to launch the theater's 55th season. Clybourne Park will be directed by DTC Associate Artistic Director Joel Ferrell. Clybourne Park begins with a Pay-What-You-Can performance on Friday, October 4 and runs through Sunday, October 27 at the Dee and Charles Wyly Theatre in the AT&T Performing Arts Center.

Dallas Theater Center launches its 2013-14 season with A Raisin in the Sun. Tre Garrett of Fort Worth's Jubilee Theatre will make his directorial debut at DTC with this Tony Award-winning play. A Raisin in the Sun begins with a Pay-What-You-Can performance on Friday, September 13 and runs through Sunday, October 27 at the Dee and Charles Wyly Theatre in the AT&T Performing Arts Center.

Bay Street Theatre's 2013 Mainstage Season has begun with Lend Me a Tenor now showing through June 23. This hilarious Ken Ludwig comedy, under the direction of Don Stephenson, includes Judy Blazer, Scott Cote, Betsy DiLellio, Donna English, Nancy Johnston, Noah Plomgren, Steve Rosen and Roland Rusinek as its hilarious cast. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast onstage below!

Bay Street Theatre begins the 2013 Mainstage Season with Lend Me a Tenor (May 28 - June 23). This hilarious Ken Ludwig comedy, under the direction of Don Stephenson, includes Judy Blazer, Scott Cote, Betsy DiLellio, Donna English, Nancy Johnston, Noah Plomgren, Steve Rosen and Roland Rusinek as its hilarious cast.

Bay Street Theatre begins the 2013 Mainstage Season with Lend Me a Tenor (May 28 - June 23). This hilarious Ken Ludwig comedy, under the direction of Don Stephenson, includes Judy Blazer, Scott Cote, Betsy DiLellio, Donna English, Nancy Johnston, Noah Plomgren, Steve Rosen and Roland Rusinek as its hilarious cast.