Musical deals with love, Cold War, chess

Even in a game of chess, things are never just black and white.
Viterbo's theatre department will perform the musical "Chess" from Feb. 26-28 in the Fine Arts Center Main Theatre. With lyrics composed by Tim Rice ("Jesus Christ Superstar" and "Evita") and a score composed by two members of ABBA, "Chess" boasts a variety of hit songs from the 1980s, including "One Night in Bangkok."
The story of "Chess" was inspired by the 1972 World Championship chess matches between Bobby Fisher, an American, and Boris Spassky, a Russian. According to the synopsis from the original Broadway production, "Chess" is set in 1988, near the end of the Cold War. The musical follows the journey of a young woman, Florence Vassy (played by Jill Iverson, a sophomore music theatre major from Minocqua, Wis.).
According to the synopsis, Florence was separated from her father in 1956 while they were playing chess. In 1988, still longing for a connection to her father, she is serving as the chess second to American Freddie Trumper (played by Mark Sopchyk, a junior music theatre major and dance minor from Huntley, Ill.). Florence and Freddie are also dating. However, Florence soon falls in love with Freddie's rival, Russian Anatoly Sergievsky (played by Charlie Ward, a freshman music theatre major from Seattle, Wash.). The musical then follows Florence through the love triangle and her continuous search for her father.
Ken Risch, dean of the School of Fine Arts, is directing the musical. Risch has assisted with directing operas for Viterbo's music department in the past. "Chess" will be his musical theatre directorial debut at Viterbo.
Risch had a personal interest in the show because of the 1972 Fisher-Spassky match. "It was a huge media event because of the politics involved," he said.
"Chess" was also a strong choice for a Viterbo production because it has a large following of fans. "People have called me and said they're so excited that we're doing this show," Risch said.
Music lovers will appreciate the unique eclectic soundtrack of symphonic rock. "It's a sophisticated score," Risch said. "At times, the songs are beautiful ballads, and at other times, you'll hear the beginning of rap."
History and political science devotees will also find the historical context interesting, said Risch. And the behavior patterns of characters under stress will appeal to those interested in psychology and sociology.
As director, Risch is in charge of a 36-member cast. The large cast is required for the multiple ensemble scenes that involve Americans, Russians, news reporters, Hungarians, and people of Bangkok.
To accommodate the variety of accents required for the show, Paul Meier came to Viterbo early in the rehearsal process. Meier is a dialect coach for both theatre and film. Guest lighting designer Jim Gage, from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, is also working on the production.
"Jim has an impressive resume," Risch said. "It's important for our students to see someone who is really working in the field."
Risch found inspiration for the production from an online graphic of a bloody chess piece, which has fallen over onto a chessboard. This graphic is now on Viterbo's main promotional poster for "Chess."
The colors in the poster have inspired the set and costume designs. The show's main colors are black, white, and red.
"The graphic gave us the color palette to tell the story of a woman's journey," said Risch. "She has nothing to hold onto from her father but the memory of his playing chess. The red color represents both real and emotional bloodshed."
Lisa Jones, a senior theatre and arts administration double major from Bettendorf, Iowa, followed this color palette as costume designer for the production.
There are over 500 costume pieces for 36-member cast, Jones said. Costume pieces can include pants, socks, jewelry, and more.
To design for the production, Jones went to the VU library and looked at old Vogue magazines from the 1980s. Along with the style of the time period, Jones also took inspiration from the direction of Risch.
"He talked a lot about how the characters put on different layers throughout the show," Jones said. "But at certain moments, they can also be very vulnerable."
"Florence develops a very hard shell because of her separation from her father," Risch said. "It's not until she meets Anatoly that she begins to open up and discover the innocence she had as a child."
Annie Deutsch, a sophomore music major and theatre minor from New Hampton, Iowa, is a member of the female ensemble. She said the cast has been focusing on the complex relationships between the characters.
The entire cast is working hard to make "Chess" a successful production, said Deutsch. During any free moment in rehearsals, cast members can be seen outside, practicing singing parts and dance moves.
"The work ethic of the cast is incredible," Deutsch said. "My experience in ‘Chess' is definitely one of the things I'll remember when I leave Viterbo."
"Chess" will run on Feb. 26 and 27 at 7:30 p.m. and Feb. 28 at 2 p.m. VU students can purchases discounted tickets, ranging from $3.25 to $8.50, by contacting the Theatre Box Office at 608-796-3100 or BoxOffice@viterbo.edu.