Full casting has been revealed for the upcoming concert of Chess, set for December 12 at Broadway's Broadhurst Theatre. As previously announced, the cast will be led by Darren Criss, Lena Hall, Ramin Karimloo, and Solea Pfeiffer.
Newly joining the cast are Bradley Dean as Ivan Molokov, Tony nominee Sean Allan Krill as Walter de Courcey, and Tony nominee Bryce Pinkham as The Arbiter, along with Kate Bailey, Joe Beauregard, Neal Benari, Brendon Chan, Nkrumah Gatling, Masumi Iwai, Nina Lafarga, Ross Lekites, Austin Lesch, Alicia Lundgren, Sean MacLaughlin, Robin Masella, Kaitlin Mesh, Katerina Papacostas, Julius Rubio, Emily Stillings, Stephen Tewksbury, and Christopher Vo.
Chess—a love story set against the Cold War chess battles between the United States and Russia—features a score by ABBA’s Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus and EGOT winner Tim Rice. The forthcoming benefit will feature a new book by Emmy winner Danny Strong. Rice has said recently that a Broadway revival of the musical is in the works.
The evening will be presented in association with Tom Hulce and Ira Pittelman.
Michael Mayer, as previously announced, will direct, and the evening will also feature movement by Lorin Latarro, lighting by Kevin Adams, sound by Steve Canyon Kennedy, scenic design by David Rockwell, costumes by Lisa Zinni, music supervision, additional arrangements, and additional orchestrations by Brian Usifer, music direction by Roberto Sinha, and arrangements and orchestrations by Anders Eljas. Casting is by Jim Carnahan and Jason Thinger, and Lisa Lacucci will serve as production stage manager.
Chess debuted on the London stage with a cast led by Elaine Paige, Tommy Körberg, and Murray Head, while the Broadway company featured Judy Kuhn, Philip Casnoff, and the late David Carroll. The score includes such tunes as “Nobody’s Side,” “One Night in Bangkok,” “Anthem,” “I Know Him So Well,” “Pity the Child,” and “You and I.” The original Broadway cast recording was released on RCA Victor.
In 2003 The Entertainment Community Fund (then the Actors Fund) presented a benefit concert of Chess starring Julia Murney, Adam Pascal, Norm Lewis, Josh Groban, and more.
Chess was originally produced on Broadway by The Shubert Organization, 3 Knights Ltd., and Robert Fox Ltd.
For tickets visit EntertainmentCommunity.org/Chess. For sponsorship opportunities, contact Douglas Ramirez at [email protected].
