Chess: The Musical Reviews

Fischer/Karpov/Capablanca/Euwe/Lasker from Dowling,On

OH, SO GOOD!

We, two chess pieces and myself, went ready to watch and listen, hoping to pleased with the presentation of a great story & lyrics and an even better musical score. The plastic chess pieces and I couldn't be happier. The 30 performers were great players and very capable singers who didn't disappoint. We were pleased to see the performance was far more exciting than Royal Albert Hall. A mountain of hard work has been done to prepare this show and it shines from start to finish. Other than the odd cellphone ringtone from the audience, we loved what we heard. Visually, including the stage floor, it was spectacular. Although there were only 30 performers, the grandness of the presentation rivals the sound of three times their number. Too bad the drummer and keyboard player weren't visible and setup on the stage, in the corners behind the other performers. Great humour, adventurous and brilliant choreography. Worth seeing multiple times. The arbiter ruled that game!! Oh, so fine!!!!

Fischer/Karpov/Capablanca/Euwe/Lasker from Dowling,On

OH, SO GOOD!

We, two chess pieces and myself, went ready to watch and listen, hoping to pleased with the presentation of a great story & lyrics and an even better musical score. The plastic chess pieces and I couldn't be happier. The 30 performers were great players and very capable singers who didn't disappoint. We were pleased to see the performance was far more exciting than Royal Albert Hall. A mountain of hard work has been done to prepare this show and it shines from start to finish. Other than the odd cellphone ringtone from the audience, we loved what we heard. Visually, including the stage floor, it was spectacular. Although there were only 30 performers, the grandness of the presentation rivals the sound of three times their number. Too bad the drummer and keyboard player weren't visible and setup on the stage, in the corners behind the other performers. Great humour, adventurous and brilliant choreography. Worth seeing multiple times. The arbiter ruled that game!! Oh, so fine!!!!

Florience from Northern Ontario

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

I recently had the pleasure of experiencing Chess and cannot understand all of the vitriole and hate in so many reviews. Were people expecting to see Mary Poppins instead? Chess is a unique story born out of a contentious time in history. It is not a simple tale by any means but it beautifully conveyed complex emotions of love and hate. The music was and always will be the star of the show for me. "Anthem" and "Nobody's Side" were stunning showstoppers. The performers were full of passion and demonstrated so much talent. I was particularly impressed by David Erik as The Arbiter. Refereeing a chess game never looked and sounded so good. Oh so good! The staging was brilliant and visually sumptuous. No, it is not a traditional production like "My Fair Lady" or "Les Miz". I would never expect it to be nor should the audience. Chess is an audaciously ambitious musical that I look forward to seeing again soon. The snow covered mountains of Merano have never been more peaked with excitement!

Pollytzania from Budapest, Hungary

I REALLY CAN'T IMAGINE WHY.....

...there are so many reviews trashing Chess. The audience that I saw Chess with gave the show a standing ovation. There was one fellow in my row that kept yelling "More!" after each song. The musicians were remarkable as they contortioned their bodies as they sang and played their musical instruments. They were a marvel to behold! Sitting in the balcony above the orchestra allowed for stunning visuals of the ever-changing stage. For those who were bored, I am tempted to quote Anatoly and say something about where they should go instead.

Rael Broadway from Merano/Bangkok/Parry Sound

WHERE I WANT TO BE

After reading some reviews posted here, we were worried before we went to see Chess. Once it started, our concerns were washed away just as drinking water from Merano would make one feel. The main characters did a fabulous job singing and acting. The big hits from the show were as one expected: BIG! What surprised us the most, was the strong presence of the other performers/Chess pieces on stage. They lifted the atmosphere and level of presentation to dizzying heights. From the Black Queen through to the Rooks, they were mesmerizing. The riser on the stage floor was used as a projection screen. If you were not sitting higher up, one wouldn't know. The sound quality was very good, but the volume could have been a bit louder. We loved the fact they didn't treat the presentation as family entertainment and made it fun for adults. Thankfully, it is certainly not a Disney-type of affair. The calibre of musicianship is superlative. After seeing it once, I know Where I Want to Be (again)!

Leonard from Montreal

I'M NOT THE KIND TO BE VINDICTIVE!

Great songs, wonderful musicians, superlative singers, sexy costumes, an almost blinding light show and an imaginative interpretation made for three hours of awesome entertainment. Tim Rice loved it. What's the fuss? If it be your will to see Chess,ignore the negative reviews and get out your get up and go and stand in line!

Leonard from Montreal

PERHAPS I AM A WEE BIT VINDICTIVE :)

This should be a place to write reviews, not trash the opinion of others. Thanks to an attack on my thoughts, here I go: Great songs, maybe if you could hear the lyrics- Turn your ipod off and/or remove earphones before the show starts. It's not the New York philharmonic on stage- They need a much bigger venue and I don’t remember the NYPO moving around much or singing when I saw them (x4). DOH!- Glad to see you’re trying new words and expanding your vocabulary. An almost blinding light show, that's a plus? Migraine Sufferers Beware!- Scientific research has proven great light shows reduce headache pain. Studies also suggest if people pay attention, they can hear and understand things much better. An imaginative interpretation See off the wall and bizarre- Again, if one pays close attention, you will or may understand. 3 hours of awesome entertainment, it wasn't for me, It left me nonplussed with a nasty after taste in my mouth- As for that nasty taste, no comment!

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