CHESS

October 27 – November 19, 2006 – Hennepin Stages

Music – Benny Andersson & Bjorn Ulvaeus
Lyrics – Tim Rice
Book – Richard Nelson
Based on an Idea by – Tim Rice

From the composers of the smash hit Mamma Mia, this highly acclaimed musical transforms the fiercely competitive globe-trotting world of Grand Champion Chess into a supercharged mix of romantic rivalries and political intrigue.  Based on an East meets West love triangle, the players, lovers, politicians and spies make their moves to the pulse of a monumental and diverse rock score, including the international hits “One Night in Bangkok”, “Anthem”, and “I Know Him So Well”.

photo credit: Roy Blakey

Director / Choreographer – Steven Meerdink
Musical Director – Suzanne Reyburn

Assistant Director – Marlin Rothe
Costume Designer – Renata Shaffer-Gottschalk
Light Designer – Dennis Joslyn
Sound Designer – Tom Bothof
Scenic Designer – Steven Meerdink
Set Construction – Jay Schueller
Prop Designer – Robbie Droddy
Stage Manager – Joyce Norman

Cast
Arbiter – Shaun Nathan Baer
Ensemble – Catherine Battocletti
Walter – Joe Bombard
Ensemble – Jill Marie Diem
Ensemble – Robbie Droddy
Florence – Emily Brooke Hansen
Molokov – Michael Jurenek
Anatoly – Tom Karki
Nikolai / Ensemble – Shawn A. Krueger
Ensemble – Carrie Kuehl
Freddie – Tim Kuehl
Svetlana – Marissa Joy Selvig
Ensemble – Christian Unser
Ensemble – Angela Walberg
Ensemble – Karen Weber

Musicians
Kim Franken (Woodwinds)
Brian Gruidl (Bass)
Emily Hansen (Keyboard 1)
Suzanne Reyburn (Keyboard 2)
Tony Schiefert (Percussion)
Rick Widen (Guitar)

“… the Minneapolis Musical Theatre production of Chess is one terrific show!  As directed by Steven J. Meerdink, with musical direction by Suzanne Reyburn, it’s been given a creatively efficient production that moves lightening quick, never allowing the energetic performances to wind down.  This new approach to theatre becomes MMT very much.  This production of Chess is very good news and makes those chilly nights worth going out to the theatre.” – On The Purple Circuit

“…excellent performances, including turns by Emily Brooke Hansen as Florence and Thomas Karki as Anatoly.  The production is generally solid, with good direction from Steven Meerdink and a nicely crafted set from Jay Schueller.” – TalkinBroadway.com

“About five minutes in, following a tune called “The Story of Chess” delivered by a fussy overlord called the Arbiter (Shaun Nathan Baer, throwing himself into it), … it becomes apparent that the cast is going to approach the action with gusto.  Tom Karki plays his Russian as a big, soulful lug with a taste for irony.  Emily Brooke Hansen spars nicely as a romantic foil searching for her own identity.  The cast draws out their daft characters with reckless passion … And as far as nostalgia for the ’80s goes, the feel of plastic and uranium that runs through this show suits it fine.” – City Pages

“Steven J. Meerdink gives life to the static storytelling … The physical production is first-rate.  The set and Renata Shaffer-Gottschalk’s stylized costumes in black, white, gray and red provide striking visuals.” – Minneapolis Star Tribune

“Tim Kuehl (Freddie), Thomas Karki (Anatoly), Emily Brooke Hansen (Florence) and Shaun Nathan Baer (Arbiter) all have strong voices capable of handling a score filled with rocky anthems and “popera” pretentions.” – St. Paul Pioneer Press

This production sponsored, in part, by Gray Plant Mooty.