Nearly 40 years since “Chess” debuted on Broadway, a revival of the musical by Sir Tim Rice (“Jesus Christ Superstar,” “Evita”) and Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus (ABBA) has opened on Broadway. But this “Chess” is more a revisal — It features the songs of the original (albeit in a different order) and a brand new book by Emmy Award winner Danny Strong (“Game Change,” “Dopesick”).
In this episode of “Broadway Press Day,” host Ruthie Fierberg talks to Strong about rewriting the known “problem musical” to give it a plot that makes sense and clear characters we can root for. Set during the Cold War, Aaron Tveit plays American chess champion Freddie Trumper. He and his strategist (and lover) Florence, played by Lea Michele, are prepared to face off against the Russian champion Anatoly Sergievsky, played by Nicholas Christopher. But chess is more than a board game — it’s the game these three are playing with their hearts, and it’s the game the KGB and CIA are playing with nuclear weapons.
Stars Lea Michele, Aaron Tveit and Nicholas Christopher (the actors playing out this sexy love triangle) describe their characters and why they said yes to the project. Tony Award-winning director Michael Mayer offers up what to expect from the experience; music supervisor Brian Usifer and choreographer Lorin Latarro give a preview of the orchestral sound and high-flying dance; while the supporting cast (Bryce Pinkham, Bradley Dean, Hannah Cruz and Sean Allan Krill) all share secret insights about the Cold War musical.
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