The Muny's Chess begins performances in its outdoor theatre July 5. The St. Louis production features a roster of Broadway and Off-Broadway alums in the cast, and plays through July 11.
Starring are Jessica Vosk as Florence Vassy, Jarrod Spector as Frederick Trumper, John Riddle as Anatoly Sergievsky, Rodney Hicks as Walter de Courcey, Tally Sessions as Alexander Molokov, Phillip Johnson Richardson as Arbiter, and Taylor Louderman as Svetlana Sergievskaya.
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 benefit features a new book by Emmy winner Danny Strong. Rice has said recently that a Broadway revival of the musical is in the works.
The ensemble includes Annelise Baker, Jett Blackorby, Eric Allen Boyd, Sydney Chow, Cicily Daniels, Spencer Dean, Matt Faucher, Anna Gassett, Brian Golub, Omega Jones, Sydney Jones, Gareth Keegan, Sage Lee, Daniel May, Brady Miller, Trina Mills, Alysha Morgan, Kristen Faith Oei, Alex Prakken, Emilie Renier, Shelby Ringdahl, Michael Seltzer, and Avilon Trust Tate.
Josh Rhodes directs and choreographs the production which features music directing and conducting by Jason DeBord.
The work 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.
Chess is the third offering in The Muny's 2023 summer season, and will be followed by West Side Story July 15-21, Little Shop of Horrors July 25-31, Rent August 4-10, and Sister Act August 14-20.
For more information, visit Muny.org.
