Overview
Synopsis
The world of competitive chess becomes a battlefield for political and personal rivalries in this gripping drama. The story follows Freddie Trumper, an arrogant American chess champion, and Anatoly Sergievsky, his disciplined Soviet opponent, as they compete for the World Chess Championship. Amidst Cold War tensions, their game becomes a proxy war between the USA and USSR, with each player's delegation scheming behind the scenes. Freddie’s erratic behavior alienates his devoted second, Florence Vassy, who finds herself drawn to the more composed Anatoly. As the tournament progresses, political forces manipulate the players, leading to Anatoly’s defection from the Soviet Union and a dramatic shift in loyalties. However, the cost of ambition and freedom proves heavy as relationships are tested and loyalties blurred.
A year later, Anatoly defends his title in Bangkok against a new Soviet challenger while facing pressure from his homeland to throw the match. Freddie, now a TV commentator, re-enters the picture and potential information about Florence’s long-lost/presumed dead father is brought to light. As political deals unfold, both Florence and Anatoly must make heartbreaking choices. In the climactic final game, Anatoly triumphs but realizes that true victory eludes him. Forced to return to Russia, he leaves Florence behind, and she, now a pawn in a larger game, faces an uncertain future, abandoned by both love and country.
Note: There are two titles available for licensing from Concord Theatricals; this guide refers to the London version.
Show Information
- Book
- Tim Rice
- Music
- Benny Andersson , Björn Ulvaeus
- Lyrics
- Tim Rice
- Category
- Musical
- Age Guidance
- Thirteen Plus (PG-13)
- Number of Acts
- 2
- First Produced
- 1986
- Genres
- Drama, Romance
- Settings
- Multiple Settings
- Time & Place
- 1979-1980, world chess championship, merano, italy, thailand
- Cast Size
- medium
- Orchestra Size
- Large
- Dancing
- Optional
- Licensor
- Concord Theatricals
- Ideal For
- College/University, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Star Vehicle Female, Star Vehicle Male, Mostly Male Cast, Includes Adult, Mature Adult, Young Adult Characters, Medium Cast
Context
Chess: The Musical has a complex and fascinating history, evolving through various productions and interpretations over several decades. Originally conceived in the late 1970s, the musical was the brainchild of Tim Rice, who sought to create a dramatic piece inspired by the intense rivalries of Cold War-era chess competitions. Rice, a renowned lyricist known for his collaborations with Andrew Lloyd Webber on Jesus Christ Superstar and Evita, envisioned a story that went beyond the game
to read the context for Chess (London Version) and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Plot
Act One
Behind a translucent gauze, a life-sized, ancient chess set stirs to life, bathed in a mystical blue glow. As the overture unfolds, the chess pieces reenact the legend of the game’s invention, moving with deliberate grace. Then, on the final words of "They thus invented Chess," the pieces align into their traditional starting positions, revealing a massive, underlit chessboard beneath them. The game’s history plays out in a stylized match, with captured pieces exiting one by one
to read the plot for Chess (London Version) and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lead |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Lead |
Male |
Baritone |
|
|
Lead |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Bass-Baritone |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Bass-Baritone |
|
|
Ensemble |
Either Gender |
Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Baritone, Bass, Bass-Baritone |
Songs
Act One
- Prologue: The Story of Chess – Arbiter, Chorus
- Merano – Mayor, Chorus
- Rock Merano – Freddie, Entourage
- Merano Reprise - Mayor, Citizens
- Commie Newspapers – Florence, Freddie
- Press Conference – Reporters, Florence, Freddie
- Anatoly and Molokov – Molokov, Anatoly
- Where I Want To Be – Anatoly
- Diplomats - American & Russian Delegates, Molokov, Walter
- The Arbiter - Arbiter, Chorus
- Hymn to Chess - Company
- Merchandisers - Merchandisers
- Opening 1st Game – Orchestra
- Chess #1 – Orchestra
- Arbiter Reprise - Arbiter, Chorus
- Quartet – Molokov, Florence, Anatoly, Arbiter
- Florence/Molokov – Molokov,Florence
- 1956 Budapest is Rising - Florence, Freddie
- Nobody's Side - Florence, Chorus
- Der Kleine Franz - Chorus
- Mountain Duet - Florence, Anatoly, Freddie
- Opening 2nd Game - Orchestra
- Chess #2 – Orchestra
- Florence Quits – Freddie, Florence
- Pity the Child - Freddie
- Defection Scene – Orchestra
- Embassy Lament - Civil Servants
- Heaven Help My Heart - Florence
- Anatoly and the Press - Reporters
- Anthem - Anatoly
Act Two
- The Golden Bangkok - Orchestra
- One Night in Bangkok - Freddie, Chorus
- One More Opponent - Anatoly, Florence
- You and I - Florence, Anatoly
- Soviet Machine - Molokov, Cronies
- Soviet Machine (cont'd) - Molokov, Cronies
- Interview - Walter, Freddie, Anatoly
- The Deal (Part 1) - Arbiter, Molokov, Svetlana, Anatoly, Florence
- The Deal (Part 2) - Freddie, Anatoly, Walter, Molokov, Florence, Svetlana
- The Deal (Part 3) - Arbiter, Svetlana, Florence, Freddie, Molokov, Walter
- I Know Him So Well - Florence, Svetlana
- Talking Chess - Monk Choir, Freddie, Anatoly
- End Game (Part 1) - Chorus
- End Game (Part 2) - Chorus, Molokov, Walter, Florence
- End Game (Part 3) - Anatoly
- End Game (Part 4) - Anatoly, Svetlana, Florence, Chorus
- You and I (Reprise) - Florence, Anatoly
- You and I - Anatoly, Florence
- Walter-Florence Finale - Walter, Florence
- Epilogue - Florence
- (Optional) Someone Else's Story - Florence
A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.
Monologues
Scenes
Key Terms
A song that uses short stanzas to tell a story about love.
A period of political tension between the United States and Russia and Russian allies that developed after World War II.
A country that covered much of Eurasia until it was dissolved into smaller countries in the early 1990s. Much of the Soviet Union is now Russia.
A production designed especially to show off the talents of a particular performer.
Videos
Quizzes
Themes, Symbols & Motifs
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Quote Analysis
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Guide Written By:
Alexandra Appleton
Writer, editor and theatre researcher