Chess Musical in Shirlington

The new musical season has begun at Signature Theater, and my first show was "Chess".  You may remember that "Chess" was first staged in 1986, and the song "One Night in Bangkock" became a hit.  The musical, up against "Cats", "Phantom of the Opera", and other big hits, did not survive on Broadway in New York City.  The benefit of a theater like Signature in Shirlington is that good musicals -- unique shows -- can have their chance to be seen.

My first observation about this musical was the obvious talent that was hired for the cast.  In a theater as small as the one in Signature, every audience member sees the detail of anger in the eye, and hardness of the firm-set mouth.  There were so many times that the cast conveyed the feeling so well, that the man who sat next to me became uncomfortable!  He wasn't accustomed to being so close to so much passion.

Unlike some easy-going musicals of earlier eras, "Chess" is edgy, full of songs from angst-ridden people.  It is, after all, set during the Cold War.  And the chess match that the musical's name is based on is between a Soviet and American.  As if that rivalry isn't enough, the American's "second", an attractive blond woman, has a love affair with the Soviet player.  All the conflict and passion that theater lovers go to see is based on these three characters; and the actors put everything they have into the show.  Sparks fly and emotions run wild!

A final nod to the audience that the song writers put together are the background songs for each major character.  The Soviet sings about what its like to be an ambitous player controlled by his nation; the American male sings about why he's such a jerk -- his terrible childhood; and the woman sings about how she got herself into a situation that she hates -- and how hard it is to get out of it.

In the grand finale, you see the struggle for happiness and the strain it puts on the three main characters.  I could hear audience members sitting behind me sniffling back their tears by the time the actors came out to take their bow. 

Last time I saw "Chess" was in London, in 1986.  The musical has waited a long time to return to the stage, and I am glad to see it back.  If you like musicals and don't want to pay a lot of money, try Chess.  You will not be disappointed.