Various Artists - Chess In Concert Review

Posted by Michael Melchor on 08.22.2009

Josh Groban helps a star-studded cast bring “Chess” to life once and for all.

Chess has always been somewhat of a curiosity to some and a source of fanaticism to others. On one hand, it’s a musical written partly by Abba’s BjornUlvaeus and Benny Andersson handling music, with longtime Andrew Lloyd Webber collaborator Tim Rice writing the lyrics. The piece can also boast a Billboard hit in “One Night In Bangkok,” which peaked in the US at #3 with Murray Head on vocals – something very few musicals can boast.

On the other hand, Chess began life as a concept album rather than a fully-realized Broadway production, much like Jesus Christ Superstar and Evita. Unlike the latter two, however, by the time Chess finally landed on Broadway, it fared poorly and disappeared almost as fast as it had arrived. A few other incarnations have come and gone, but the piece has remained more of a cult hit, if that.

After several years of different song combinations, a version of Chess was performed at the Royal Albert Hall in London that Tim Rice himself, after years of trials and tribulations with the piece, has declared the “official version” of Chess. It doesn’t hurt a bit that multi-platinum classical singer Josh Groban was recruited to play/sing the principle part of Russian player Anatoly Sergievsky. All in all, it is the moist full version of a show that once reveled in its kitschy pop roots and now manages to deliver a metaphorical and well-told story with more classical roots.



Chess follows its original format for the most part, though some of the longer songs, like “Merano” (and the interjection by Freddie Trumper, the American Chess champion) are broken into shorter tracks. The breaking up serves to highlight the singers involved – which, along with Groban, include Idina Menzel (Wicked) and Adam Pascal (Rent). This particular version, from a mainstream/marketing perspective, almost seems to be more about the singers than the piece they are playing. Putting more attention on the performers than the performance would be a mistake that could topple an entire production. The producers – especially Rice, who has worked for years to give Chess a definitive version and showcase – knows better than to go to that extreme.

The showcasing of the singers is evident, but kept to a minimum. The attention is obviously on them to showcase their talents, but the story of Chess (not the song in Act 2, mind you) takes as much center stage as the performers. The Arbiter (Marti Pellow), in a brilliant turn, also serves as a narrator of sorts (as well as other cast members from the company as news reporters and other characters) to fully define the events. This touch, as well some video cues (seen on the DVD) bring the story to life once and for all. Also aiding in that is the shortening of some of the songs (such as “Anthem) that needed it, helping rein-in the long-winded nature of the original album (though some of it still seems to drag no matter what is done to it)

As for the performers and their work, all of them shine well here. Groban sings better than he acts, to be sure, but in a production of this nature that’s what’s required of him. Groban serves the show and even the part of Anatoly well despite not having to act it out. As far as proper Broadway performers, Menzel (as American second Florence Vassy) and Pascal shopw their veteran talents in bringing the show to life.

The story itself, a metaphor for the Cold War of the 1980s as well as a “Romeo and Juliet”-esque love story, is done justice here. Despite those plot descriptions begging for it, nothing here is too melodramatic or schmaltzy. Each plot element is handled with just the right amount of grace and drama without being overbearing.

The 411: Chess in Concert is a tightened, cohesive, and excellent version of a show that needed the overhaul. The presence of Groban and a Broadway-experienced cast help to bring the show to life. At 2 CDs, a love of musicals and a little prior knowledge may be needed to really appreciate the full experience. However, the show has enough entertainment value on its own that it’s not necessary to be a Broadway aficionado to enjoy this album.

Final Score:  7.0   [ Good ]