“Chess” ends in a stalemate at The Muny

In April 1988, the British musical “Chess” began previews on Broadway. With an original score by Abba and book by Tim Rice, the American version was actually re-worked by playwright Richard Nelson, under the guidance of director Trevor Nunn for the Broadway debut. It closed in June of that year after 17 previews and 68 regular performances. While it garnered several major award nominations (winning none) it was mostly panned by the critics and was deemed by some as “Broadway’s monster”.

The story takes place in the cold war era of the early 1980’s beginning with the World Chess Championship in Merano, Italy, between American grandmaster Freddie Trumper and Soviet grandmaster Anatoly Sergievsky. Ill-tempered Trumper leaves the tournament in a fit and his second, and love interest, Florence Vassy, tries to smooth the waters with the Soviets. A romance develops between Florence and the Soviet grandmaster which results in Trumper forfeiting the match, Sergievsky defecting, and Florence leaving Trumper to be with her new Soviet love. A year later the trio meet again when Trumper is working for a tv station covering the championship in Bangkok and Sergievsky is defending his title against a fellow Soviet. The stakes are higher this time as the KGB have intervened to try and trick the champion back to Mother Russia. Ultimately “Chess” attempts to be a story of love, betrayal, and loyalty, and one that explores the themes of power, competition, and the cost of ambition.

The Muny version of “Chess” carves the production down to a tight two hours and fifteen minutes from the original Broadway version of three hours fifteen. John Riddle, as Anatoly Sergivsky, has the voice of an angel and the stage presence of a Barrymore to go along with it. He carries the role beautifully and his rendition of “Anthem” closing act one is heart breaking. Jessica Vosk as Florence Vassey, the woman at the center of the love triangle, is stunning in her role. Taylor Louderman as Anatoly’s wife in act two is another standout and embodies the character’s sorrow beautifully.

I now see why “Chess” is rarely produced. It’s not a very compelling story. For me, in this production, the most riveting part of the show is the actual chess match, and I’m not a particular fan of the game. I find the character of Freddie Trumper especially irritating. Jarrod Spector was a delight as Barry Mann in The Muny’s earlier production of “Beautiful” but the role of Trumper is not a good fit for him. And even though the action takes place in the 1980’s that doesn’t mean all of the choreography needs to look like something out of an aerobics class. While there are devotees of the score, so much of it sounds the same but for the one top ten hit “One Night In Bangkok”. This production slowed the song down so much it is virtually unrecognizable. The love song between Anatoly and Florence, “You and I”, is beautiful, but the reprise at the end of the play is so long I ended up wishing they would say goodbye already!

I may have been in the minority in my lack of enthusiasm for “Chess” as those around me seemed to thoroughly enjoy the show. But onward and upward for The Muny’s next production “West Side Story”.

 “Chess” at The Muny closes July 11th. For tickets and information visit The Muny website.