Chess certainly has a checkered past. When I got the press release that the wonderful Winters Lane Productions headquartered at the cute little space in Building Q (what a location for Avenue Q) at Catonsville Community College would be staging a concert version I immediately circled it on my calendar. And when I noticed Shawn Doyle would be returning to the stage for this version, I anticipated this would be something not to be missed.
The problem theater fans it is ONLY this week-end and ends Sunday, Feb. 8. But don't miss it.
When one attends a concert version, one would expect to see a group of performers standing before music stands belting out the songs with an orchestra in the pit or on stage.
Well, this is NOT your typical show "in concert".
There is clever choreography (Jason M. Kimmell) danced by a large ensemble, a terrific six piece house band led by Chris Rose (also on keyboards), effective lighting (Gary Adamsen), all under the superb direction of Mark Briner.
While some members of the ensemble sit on chairs with music stands, most of the evening the cast members perform sans music and what a talented bunch it is.
There are three principles. There's Freddy as the Bobby Fischer-type American (Robert E. Tucker), the quiet Russian star Anatoly (Shawn Doyle), and Freddy's former flame Florence (Barbara E. Hartzell in a lovely red dress). The problem is Anatoly is married to Svetlana played by Tamarin K. Lawler. There is a gorgeous duet between Florence and Svetlana "I Know Him So Well". It must have helped Tamarin Lawler to have her talented husband, Doug, playing keyboards.
But the essence of this show is not the story but the music by Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus (yes, the men of ABBA and composers of Mamma Mia!) and lyrics by Tim Rice.
It was first introduced to Chess many years ago at the Maryland Arts Festival which also starred Doyle and fell in love with the music.
There are so many great numbers such as "Heaven Help My Heart", "Someone Else's Story", and "One Night in Bangkok". But the house was brought down at the end of Act I, when Doyle sang "Anthem". It was goose-bump city.
Prior to the show, for the first time publicly, artistic director Anya Randall Nebel surprised the audience that the future of Winters Lane Productions at Catonsville Community College was in trouble. They were informed by the President of the college that there continued use of the space was "tentative". It would certainly be a shame for the Catonsville community and the entire Baltimore theater community to lose this terrific company.
May I suggest to my readers to urge President Sandra Kurtinitis to continue to allow Winters Lane Productions the opportunity to continue in Catonsville. You may email her at skurtinitis@ccbcmd.edu.
Theaters in general are really hurting. So, please, help. Go to a play!!!
For tickets, call 410-780-6369 or visit www.winterslaneproductions.org.
For comments, write to cgshubow@broadwayworld.com.
