Chess--Broadway Cast Album

I don't like the graphic for the Broadway incarnation of this show nearly as much as the British version with its cascading checkerboard. The British concept album of Chess is the version I have imprinted on my brain, as I owned that album in college. So how would the American version (and an actual cast album, as opposed to a conceptualized version) compare? Very well, actually.

Previously when I had talked about liking Judy Kuhn's voice in a different show, a reader suggested I listen to the Broadway Chess album to get a real sense of Ms. Kuhn's abilities. Thank you for suggestion that, this album demonstrated her to be an an amazing singer, and there is a lot of her to enjoy on this cast album. Even more than there was of Elaine Paige on the concert album. Besides "Heaven Help My Heart" and the duet "I Know Him So Well" the Broadway version has a new song "Someone Else's Story" which is a wonderful addition to the score.

From just listening to the score, it seems like the focus of the show is placed firmly on Florence, with the competition between the Russian and the American more secondary. I wonder if the production supported that focus, or if I'm misreading it?

Philip Casnoff and David Carroll both have nice voices, and I have nothing to complain about either man's singing, although they do sound a bit alike to me. The photos included in the liner booklet also make them look a bit alike too. Maybe the producers wanted Florence to have a specific "type" of man, but from this listener's audiopoint and viewpoint, I wanted some differences--at least vocally.

There is an interesting note in the liner how the lyrics of "Endgame" were changed without the consent of lyricist Tim Rice. What could be so show-altering to warrant this footnote?

Chess
Music by Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus
Lyrics by Tim Rice
Created in 1984, the Broadway production opened in 1988
Cast: Judy Kuhn, Philip Casnoff, David Carroll

Chess--concept album on CD

There are several versions of Chess that were recorded, and I look forward to hearing a version that was put on stage (it's been suggested I listen for Judy Kuhn in the Broadway version), but for today I am listening to the concept album that was released in anticipation of the show. If that last phrase is not very specific, it's purposeful; I don't know if this album was created to rouse audience interest in the original stage version or to raise money for the original stage version--maybe both.

Either way, when I listen to a staged version of the show, I'll be interested in what might happen to the long instrumental sections of the score. From a musical standpoint, they are some of my favorite parts of the score, but from a theatrical standpoint, they might really slow down the story-telling of the show. This seems particularly true in the second act of this two-disc set.

There is a lot of singing on this album that I like very much. Elaine Paige somehow finds a way to be strong up and down her whole range without getting too nasal or too pushed. I'm very interested in Tommy Korberg and what else he may have done--I like his singing very much. It is pop-twinged without loosing the core of its sound. "Anthem" has long been one of my favorite baritone songs. I look forward to hearing other singers present this song in later cast albums.

Chess
Music by Benny Anderssen, Bjorn Ulvaeus
Lyrics by Tim Rice
Concept Album released in 1984
Cast: Murray Head, Elaine Paige, Barbara Dickson, Tommy Korberg, Denis Quilley, Bjorn Skifs

Sunday in the Park with George stage version on DVD

Do you think Georges Seurat was OCD? What about Stephen Sondheim? How about Mandy Patinkin? I say meds are needed all around.

Fortunately, everyone is at the height of their powers in the creation and performance of Sunday in the Park with George, filmed from the stage musical in 1985. Sondheim, Patinkin, Peters, Lapine and even Seurat combine in some kind of alchemy to produce one of the greatest musicals of all time--beloved by many.

Movement and stillness are important components of this production, and I assume director and book writer James Lapine is due the thanks for so carefully choreographing this aspect of the show. Light also plays an important part of the show, and the physical aspects of the production are exceptionally good and really help build the drama (not to mention the painting) in the first act.

I was surprised by my reaction to Act Two. I have never seen this show on stage, but had heard the cast album many times. I was prepared to think less highly of the second act than I did of the first act. Judging just by the music, it feels, at times, a little preachy on issues that have been dealt with more subtly in the first act. On the contrary, I found the second act very emotionally moving. I had a good cry during it, actually. Perhaps it was because of the family connection that Marie dotes on, or the love of a grandparent exhibited by second act George, but it was very moving. I was moved. Now I have to move on.

Sunday in the Park with George
Music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
Book and stage direction by James Lapine
Original broadway cast filmed on stage in 1986
Cast: Bernadette Peters, Mandy Patinkin, Charles Kimbrough, Brent Spiner, Barbara Bryne