Derekmckean
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if Chess was a Major Motion Picture" by a studioLet's say Tri Star or Paramount wanted this musical concept to become a Major Motion Picture--let's say, directed by a big director, who would you cast as Freddie, florence...etc.? How would you adapt it to make it sucessful for both, musical and non-musical, both male and female, ages 14+(pg-13)? Would you make it a thriller where the US politicians didn't want the KGB involved, especially in a match...they try to arrest Molokov claiming him to be a commie, so the UN director and the arbiter agree that if Anatoly looses, they will let Molokolv go back home scott free? And Molokolv claims he's treated like crap, plus he's in love with floerence? Let's say the secret service finds out that florence is dating Anatoly, so the secret police bomb the diplomatic house/sanctuary. Florence can sing Nobody's Side because Freddie picks on Florence calling her a commie lover, thus "florence quits." Also, let's say someone has a baby, and it just makes things worse. Anatoly doesn't loose and wins, and reprises Anthem. Evereyone is stunned. Anatoly makes friends with Freddie, they sing No Contest not against each other but against the system. He explains how everyone in one way is an immigrant, no one different than anyone. The Press is amused. Becuase of the uproar, he does go t court, but in the intrests of diplomatic immunity, they're free to stay in the US. The judge claims to Florence, that one time "girl, I was on nobody's side...everyone's playing a game...but you've got to make your rules insane....you've got to not go it alone....stepup it up girl, and you will not make it all alone." Florence smiles....a random person enters the court saying the child that florence has is her sister. She sings Apukad Eros Karzen(sp)" and images her father singing to her. That's 1 way i would make a movie, a movie with heart and Drama. Freddie does sings the Story of Chess" but with a montage showing teens fighting, and king and queen, rook, and bishop night and pawn being he situations and authority in where people have not gotten along, and he says it's" like a champion for any kid of sport that deprives of what they could and use to be...thus the modern game was born...it's hard to believe this game still goes on......but can we have no farce and appreciate the life for what it's for" thus creating a whole new context for the song, followed by the overture in which a man,presumaly florence's father running from soldier's.He is shot, and they (soldiers) kidapp 2 kids.
therefore, it is 50% sung, but there is action!
My cast ideas:
Freddie: Joe Pesci
Anatoly:Sean Connery
Walter: Harrison Ford
Florence: Christina Aguilara
Molokolv:Christopher Lee
Arbiter: Antonio Banderas
Svetlana:
Reporters:William H. Macy, Bryan Cranston, Jane Kaczmarek, Jim Carey, Elijah Wood, and Alexx Trebek
Kid in budapest/kid in bancock: Frankie Muniz
kid in bancock:Alex Linz
Friend of Freddie:Michael Rapaport
Embassy Person: Patrick Stewart
Judge: Aretha Franklin
Diplomats: john lithgow, mathhew brodderick, and carolle Burnnett
Protestor: Justin Berfield
Gregor: Al pacino
So what are your ideas for a Chess Moviie?
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Mademoiselle Lanoire
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Tell me that was sarcasm on your part.
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Descartes
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Joe Pesci.
Goddamn.
Des.
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Chessfan
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Wow... I mean... wow...
If ever someone wants to make sure that Chess will never be performed EVER again this guy has all the right ideas. Btw I'm just for the moment going to assume that derekmckean is being sarcastic.
Although I would like to see Chess as a movie, but with the london libretto storyline. Broadway Chess sucked.
Can't say who I'd cast as the leads. It would be a tough casting because not only to the actors but they also have to be flawless singers.
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Salome
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The broadwya script was not as coherant as it should have been but the plot line was better than thel ondon version...the australian script has them ost potential...when I did the show our director spent 3 months amalgamating those 3 versions.
it worked beautifully.
anyway my cast for a film version..I am casting only actors who have sung or can sing well enough so they wouldnt be dubbed.
FLorence: Kate Beckinsale
Freddy: Adam Pascal (he has done a few films now so let him shine)
Anatoly: not sure..i'll get back to you
Molokov: Christopher Lee (great choice)
Walter: Chris Walken
Svetlana: Nicole Kidman
Arbiter: Hugh Jackman
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Chessfan
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Hmmm... okay I disagree with you completely about the Broadway show (mainly because it rejects most of the Concept Albums lyrics in exchange for the childish lyrics that sound like they are strugglin to fit the music and we have the horrible hybrid songs like Lets Work Together and No Contest). I'm sorry but the London Libretto is FAR superior in both plot nd execution and is also completly yogurt free 
But back to the question at hand. Who to cast in the movie? I've thought about it and still am pretty far off making a decision.
Anatoly. Not really sure. he has to be perfect for the role or else everyone is just wasting their time. (Though now the thought of Hugh Jackman is intruiging)
Freddie. No clue. If its the london story then we're gonna need a REALLY good actor, one who is larger than life but who can play both haunted and yet brilliant. One who can make his attempt at redemption believable)If its any other version, any obnoxious American will do. Hmmm I do like the thought of Mr. Pascal getting another run at the show.
Florence. I once heard rumour that Kylie Minogue was being considered for Florence in the movie Chess. I didn't hate the idea. Though she is VERY small and also I wonder can she hit the high note at the end of Anthem Reprise (this is vital to the ending...any actress who can't manage it need not audition)
Molokov: Brian Blessed. Mr. Lee is getting on in years and also his singing voice ain't what it used to.
Walter: If they can sing then Charlie Sheen maybe Micheal J. Fox or If we wanna go for the more traditional older man then Mr. James Woods is your only man (and he can sing...i've heard him)
Svetlana: I wonder would Minnie Driver be a good choice. She was terrific as Carlotta but then her singing was dubbed. And shes good at looking rejected. Also she is okay at accents.
The Arbiter: Colm Wilkenson. Unique voice, unique talent. And he's Irish
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Salome
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Lets work together is a wonderful number. the lyrics fit the music perfectly. Even bettert han the ltics fit that same tune in "One Night in Bangkok".
the broadway score also got rid of osme inane lyrics in the mountain duet..and in U.S. vs USSR.
No Contest is also a greatn umber and it helps build Wlater's relationship with Freddy.
there has never been a perfect version of "Chess" each has merits and each have their problems.
I am glad that in the production I was in they decided wisely to get rid of the role of FLorence's father. it was a plot point but we never saw the character.
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Lexi
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| Chessfan wrote: | | Although I would like to see Chess as a movie, but with the london libretto storyline. Broadway Chess sucked. |
Hah, Chessfan, you really don't like the Broadway book, do you? 
Anyway, I cannot say enough times that Pascal is the perfect Freddie. I understand that there will always be people who dislike him because they hate Rent, they hate his obnoxious fanbase, whatever it may be... but if you can look past that, you'll find someone with a lot of talent and charisma. I know many started to doubt his talent even more after he turned in what they felt was a mediocre performance in the Rent movie. While I personally didn't find too many flaws in his performance, Freddie and Roger are two entirely different characters, the former being a role that I think he could pull off even better than the latter due to his natural charm. Additionally, his rendition of Pity the Child is both angry and tragic all at once.
I don't know if Raul Esparza would translate well to film, but the man is so brilliant that I can't imagine him not succeeding in a film. He'd be my choice for Anatoly. His voice is perfectly suited to the role, with a very baritone quality to his voice but still able to reach somewhat high notes on occasion. Just thinking about his possible rendition of Anthem gives me chills. Just as importantly, he's a brilliant actor who exudes a certain sense of genuineness and a deeply emotional quality that is key for Anatoly. Also, he'd make a great contrast to Pascal's Freddie; while Pascal can easily ooze that "look at me!" quality, Esparza is more self-contained.
Granted, I don't know if casting these two would translate into a lot of success at the box office, but those are my ideal choices for Freddie and Anatoly. If a project like this were ever to materialize, I suppose a bigger-named actress could be cast as Florence or Svetlana for a bit of a box office draw.
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Salome
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technically they could get away with an unknown for svetlana..even in the uatralian version her role isnt huge...she has 3 musical numbers You and I (reprise), I know him so well(with Florence) and in some versions, Someone Elses Story.
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Lexi
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| Salome wrote: | | technically they could get away with an unknown for svetlana..even in the uatralian version her role isnt huge...she has 3 musical numbers You and I (reprise), I know him so well(with Florence) and in some versions, Someone Elses Story. |
Her role certainly isn't huge, but I was suggesting that they would perhaps cast a bigger name as Svetlana as well simply so the studio could advertise the film with her name attached to it. Casting a well-known actress as Florence with relative unknowns for the rest of the parts might suffice, though.
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Salome
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I think Kate beckinsale would be outstanding..she is a wonderful actress,she sings,she looks european obviously.
She and Christopher Lee as Molokov should be enough as far as names..although Alec Baldwin (as well as the above mentioned Walken ) would make a good Walter.
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meva1
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A Chess movie , I'd rather see a West End revival and then if that's succesful a Broadway run.
I asked Tim Rice last week if there were any plans to revive the show and he said they were really hoping to.
If Hollywood made a Chess movie I bet they'd cast Madonna as Florence.Brad Pitt and George Clooney as Freddy and Anatoly anyone.Actually if the producers are Moulin Rouge fans probably Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor as Flo and Fred.How about Kevin Kline or Mandy Patinkin as Anatoly, they both sing.
On a slightly more serious note I've only seen snippets of Adam Pascal as Freddy but he seemed a bit camp, anyone else think that ?
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Lexi
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| meva1 wrote: | | On a slightly more serious note I've only seen snippets of Adam Pascal as Freddy but he seemed a bit camp, anyone else think that ? |
Camp? In what way? I thought he nailed the part perfectly, and had he been allowed to perform the role more than once, I can only imagine that he would improve even more.
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meva1
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| Lexi wrote: | | Camp? In what way? . |
A bit effeminate.
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Lexi
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| meva1 wrote: | | Lexi wrote: | | Camp? In what way? . |
A bit effeminate. |
Adam gives off the effeminate vibe on occasion, but I can't say that I detected it in Chess, save for maybe the wrist flip in Florence Quits.
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meva1
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Re: if Chess was a Major Motion Picture" by a studio[quote="Derekmckean"]
My cast ideas:
Freddie: Joe Pesci
Anatoly:Sean Connery
Walter: Harrison Ford
Florence: Christina Aguilara
Molokolv:Christopher Lee
Arbiter: Antonio Banderas
Svetlana:Arnold Schwarzenegger
Reporters:William H. Macy, Bryan Cranston, Jane Kaczmarek, Jim Carey, Elijah Wood, and Alexx Trebek
Kid in budapest/kid in bancock: Frankie Muniz
kid in bancock:Alex Linz
Friend of Freddie:Michael Rapaport
Embassy Person: Patrick Stewart
Judge: Aretha Franklin
Diplomats: john lithgow, mathhew brodderick, and carolle Burnnett
Protestor: Justin Berfield
Gregor: Al pacino
[quote]
There you go, perfect.
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Derekmckean
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Re: if Chess was a Major Motion Picture" by a studio[quote="meva1"][quote="Derekmckean"]
My cast ideas:
Freddie: Joe Pesci
Anatoly:Sean Connery
Walter: Harrison Ford
Florence: Christina Aguilara
Molokolv:Christopher Lee
Arbiter: Antonio Banderas
Svetlana:Arnold Schwarzenegger
Reporters:William H. Macy, Bryan Cranston, Jane Kaczmarek, Jim Carey, Elijah Wood, and Alexx Trebek
Kid in budapest/kid in bancock: Frankie Muniz
kid in bancock:Alex Linz
Friend of Freddie:Michael Rapaport
Embassy Person: Patrick Stewart
Judge: Aretha Franklin
Diplomats: john lithgow, mathhew brodderick, and carolle Burnnett
Protestor: Justin Berfield
Gregor: Al pacino
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There you go, perfect. |
I didn't say to use arnold as a Svetlana.......i just wrote"???" Besides, arnold is my governor....casting him as a girl is disrespectful.
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Salome
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| Lexi wrote: | | meva1 wrote: | | Lexi wrote: | | Camp? In what way? . |
A bit effeminate. |
Adam gives off the effeminate vibe on occasion, but I can't say that I detected it in Chess, save for maybe the wrist flip in Florence Quits. |
plus freddy like alot of bad boys may be bisexual...think james dean.
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Slaine
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Our director originally wanted Freddy to be played as a gay/bisexual man and I sort of get where he's coming from but in the end he decided against it.
I like the idea of Ewan McGregor but I'd think that he'd be better as Anatoly than Freddie.
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Brother Marvin Hinten, S.
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All I'd care is that Thom Boyer wrote the screenplay.
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klutzyk8ie
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Adam Pascal could make a pretty good Freddy... and that would virtually guarentee hoards of Rent fans flocking to theatres. Ewan McGregor could also pull it off. Catherine Zeta-Jones comes somewhat to mind for Svetlana, but I don't think she'd be a perfectfir, just a nice one. I don't think Nicole Kidman would make a very good Florence, however. I don't think her voice is quite suited to the role, particularly Nobody's Side.
I think the movie should be a little abstract, particularly during the soliliquies. Song's like Nobody's Side and Pity the Child are sort of detatched from the actual world... they could pull a Chicago sort of thing and have those numbers taking place on stage with the full-on rock concert lights, showing that these are sort of the concert in their minds. The problem is, of course, that most of the songs are not soliliquies, but I'm sure this could work somehow.
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aNGie_BaBY
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im surprised that no-one has argued against Christina Aguilera as Flo... so i'll say NOOOO!!
I'd like to see Adam pascal and Mandy patinkin in there somewhere...and def film the Oz or UK version.
I also didnt know Kate Beckinsale sings. if she's any good i'll agree with her as Flo, she looks good. i actually dont mind Catherine ZJ as Svetlana.
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what_the_heck013
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Salome, excellent choices. Especially Pascal, Lee, and Kidman.
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Salome
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yes..Beckinsale did alot of musical theatrei n her college days. I heard her sing on Letterman years back during her press junket for Haunted. Quite a good voice.
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Jekkienumber24601
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I'd love to see Mandy Patikon as Freddy.
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Thom_Boyer
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The following choices are based purely on looks (though the three oldest men listed could easily pull off the vocals, and I'd love to hear them in the respective parts, and Hank's voice acting chops should lend him to being a fine vocal stylist).
Florence - ? (A tougher casting search than Wonder Woman, no doubt)
Anatoly - Hank Azaria
Freddie - Chris Evans
Arbiter - Anthony Stewart Head
Walter - Garrison Keillor
Molokov - Hugh Laurie
Svetlana - Ekaterina Chtchelkanova
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Salome
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| Jekkienumber24601 wrote: | | I'd love to see Mandy Patikon as Freddy. |
except he is 20 years too old.
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Jekkienumber24601
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yeah. Adam Pascal would be great if he started doing more films. Hugh Laurie is too skinny for Molokov. I always picture Tevye from Fiddler on the Roof as Molokov. Hugh Laurie would make an great Arbiter looks wise and using his Dr. House personality. But I'm pretty sure he can't sing.
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Salome
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well..Harry Goz who played tevye in fiddler during its initial run was broadways molokov.
i actually would love Christopher Lee in that role.
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Jekkienumber24601
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anyone remember an episode of FRIENDS where Pheobe was dating someone foreign and he had a translator. That translator and they guy would both make great Anatoly's looks wise.
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The_Wicked
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I thought Adam Pascal was really good as Freddie. He was so badass. Svetlana holds a special place in my heart and so does Catherine Zeta Jones... but she may be a tad old for it I hate to say. But lord I love her. I'd keep Sutton. It's about time she broke into movies. That woman is the Messiah, I'm sure of it. Or if you want a name... I'd say break in Gwen Stefani. She can act and she can handle the part I imagine. As for Christina Aguilera... um... don't get me wrong. I own her CD's and I love her voice... but she just wouldn't fit in musical theatre methinks. I don't know if she can act but she would absolutely ruin every song by riffing up every other word. I'm kind of in love with Eden Espinosa right now so just thinking out loud, she would be a really good choice for Florence I think.
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Salome
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noo eden would suck. you need a cool european like kate beckinsale.and catherine isnt too old for svetlana if anything she is young. anatoly is in hi early 40s so svetlana should be late 30s early 40s.
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The_Wicked
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Be warned I am basing this on the concert version that I saw on video. In which Josh Groban (who is like mid-20's) was Anatoly and Svetlana was played by like a 28 year old Sutton Foster. And never heard Kate Beckinsale sing...
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Ghost
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| Quote: | PostPosted: Thu Oct 12, 2006 12:30 pm Post subject:
yeah. Adam Pascal would be great if he started doing more films. Hugh Laurie is too skinny for Molokov. I always picture Tevye from Fiddler on the Roof as Molokov. Hugh Laurie would make an great Arbiter looks wise and using his Dr. House personality. But I'm pretty sure he can't sing |
Hugh Laurie can indeed sing and play pretty much every instrument.
[/quote]
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Ghost
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Zeta-Jones too old for Svetlana? How young do you think she should be? Anatolij is 40+ anyway.
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The_Wicked
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Silly biscuit, I just said I was basing my opinion off of a late 20's Sutton Foster. 'Scuuuuuuse me for livin!
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Salome
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concerts dont have to cast roles age appropriate.
breakdown-
florence- early to mid 30s
freddy-early to mid thirties
anatoly- early 4os
svetlana- late 30s-early 40s
molokov- 45 +
walter- 45 +
arbitor- 35 +
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Thom_Boyer
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Man, Anatoly just keeps getting older and older with each passing production, though I'd agree with the early 40s figure. As for Svetlana, her relationship to Anatoly seems like one of a trophy wife. I imagine her being about ten years younger than him, some pretty thing Molokov had awarded Anatoly with for being such a prodigy, etc., etc. But that's just my twisted vision of the whole thing...
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Jekkienumber24601
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I always imagined the show done with them being thirty but played by twenty year olds. It's more passonite when the cast is younger.
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Thom_Boyer
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Age is a primary theme of the show, though. Most of the characters speak and act as though they have a history behind them -- when it's at its best, it's about middle age. The final "You and I" really isn't something I feel can be taken seriously from a twenty-year-old.
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Jekkienumber24601
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| Salome wrote: | Lets work together is a wonderful number. the lyrics fit the music perfectly. Even bettert han the ltics fit that same tune in "One Night in Bangkok".
the broadway score also got rid of osme inane lyrics in the mountain duet..and in U.S. vs USSR.
No Contest is also a greatn umber and it helps build Wlater's relationship with Freddy.
there has never been a perfect version of "Chess" each has merits and each have their problems.
I am glad that in the production I was in they decided wisely to get rid of the role of FLorence's father. it was a plot point but we never saw the character. |
Let's Work Together is fine. It provides a certain comic releif and coolness to the show. However Soviet Machine also did that.
The Normal Version of US vs USSR from the danish and london cast is perfect. Broadway's is sooo short it's not even a song. During previews they did the London version and the new concert did the london version.
I prefer Florence lying and saying "All I can say is moments ago, he was right here ready and waiting" to "How could I not Miss Vassy regrets, anything goes with your opponent." But both of those is far better than, "He couldn't wait to meet you up here. maybe he walked, cable cars scare him"
No Contest is decent, but the "relationship" between Walter and Freddie, goes nowhere. The Interview and The Deal show perfectly how Walter uses Freddie and they are far superior songs.
All in all adding a book to Chess was a bad idea. Almost all the songs in the London/Danish Tour are better than the broadway production and it can't be denied the show works better as a concert which is pretty much what the london production is.
Sure Broadway has some classic lines like the passing the salt scene in the terrace, or the CIA agents in the airport, but they are useless time fillers to an already long show.
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Cadriel
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| Jekkienumber24601 wrote: | | The Normal Version of US vs USSR from the danish and london cast is perfect. Broadway's is sooo short it's not even a song. During previews they did the London version and the new concert did the london version. |
The "normal version" of US vs. USSR is static and boring. Trevor Nunn put people in chairs and had the song extended. It sounds fine on an album but it has no business being on stage. Nothing is happening. The Broadway version or concept album version of US vs. USSR takes plenty of time on stage and allows you to play it without trying to turn it into a dance number. The only production that did something really worthwhile with the longer US vs. USSR was Sydney, which cuts the songs into two pieces and does the bits of "opening ceremony" around them.
| Quote: | | I prefer Florence lying and saying "All I can say is moments ago, he was right here ready and waiting" to "How could I not Miss Vassy regrets, anything goes with your opponent." But both of those is far better than, "He couldn't wait to meet you up here. maybe he walked, cable cars scare him" |
I loved the London line. It was witty. It was actually played more like:
Florence: "Maybe he walked."
Anatoly: "Walked?"
Florence: "Cable cars scare him."
(laughter)
London doesn't have enough interesting moments like that, and needed it badly.
| Quote: | | No Contest is decent, but the "relationship" between Walter and Freddie, goes nowhere. The Interview and The Deal show perfectly how Walter uses Freddie and they are far superior songs. |
"The Interview" is unfortunate. It's a great theme, but it can't be used correctly in a single-match format, which is much, much better for Chess as a show. "The Deal" is great. It was a high point in the London show. It was one of the few moments that was retained from Michael Bennett's vision for Chess -- very abstract and high-concept, fluid, with a lot of movement and really integrating the chessboard stage. The execution of "The Deal" in Sydney was also brilliant.
| Quote: | | All in all adding a book to Chess was a bad idea. Almost all the songs in the London/Danish Tour are better than the broadway production and it can't be denied the show works better as a concert which is pretty much what the london production is. |
I can deny it.  The concert productions have been pretty bad. Seriously, what decent concert is there? The 2003 concert was hit & miss, and that was better than most of the ones that preceded it.
None of the concerts are better than Sydney, or even measure up to it. There are real script issues in Sydney (I love Heaven Help My Heart ending Act I, but an Act II Anthem is just kind of awkward), but it is flat-out better than London or Broadway, and I even prefer it over Stockholm. London isn't a concert; it's a musical with severe book problems and very little motivation in the entire second act. Sydney was a well thought out and executed show with some issues.
| Quote: | | Sure Broadway has some classic lines like the passing the salt scene in the terrace, or the CIA agents in the airport, but they are useless time fillers to an already long show. |
The Broadway book is a liability, but I wouldn't go as far as calling it filler. It creates a comprehensive and logical story, but in the process it really screws the pooch in terms of character and just being a good musical.
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Jekkienumber24601
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| Ghost wrote: | | Quote: | PostPosted: Thu Oct 12, 2006 12:30 pm Post subject:
yeah. Adam Pascal would be great if he started doing more films. Hugh Laurie is too skinny for Molokov. I always picture Tevye from Fiddler on the Roof as Molokov. Hugh Laurie would make an great Arbiter looks wise and using his Dr. House personality. But I'm pretty sure he can't sing |
Hugh Laurie can indeed sing and play pretty much every instrument.
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[/quote]
I mean I'm pretty sure he can't sing the arbiter....maybe the swedish version.
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windscreen
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Any objections to Kate Winslett playing Florence?
In addition all Chess fans on this forum should have input concerning the final script, cos we are the ones with the greatest love and passion for the show.
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Salome
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I'd prefer Kate Beckinsale. she looks it she can sing better and she is a wonderful actress.
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Jekkienumber24601
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In my jesus christ superstar program last night. Tim's bio said Chess reciveved horrible reviews on broadway, particular from the bloke at the NY times. Tim is now working on a rewrites for Chess for both stage and "Screen", the Bloke from NY times having recently left.
Funny wording. But I take it this bio has been in effect for a couple of years now and may or may not be relevant.
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Cadriel
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| Jekkienumber24601 wrote: | In my jesus christ superstar program last night. Tim's bio said Chess reciveved horrible reviews on broadway, particular from the bloke at the NY times. Tim is now working on a rewrites for Chess for both stage and "Screen", the Bloke from NY times having recently left.
Funny wording. But I take it this bio has been in effect for a couple of years now and may or may not be relevant. |
Tim Rice is always working on rewrites for Chess. I imagine he will continue to be working on them until someone finally breaks down and finances a revival. As for me, I'll believe it when I see it.
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