Features
Scheduled To Appear – 06/17
So. What to watch tonight? How about something a little different? Something a little more highbrow than the usual television fare. How about some “Chess”?
More than 25 years ago ABBA’s Bjorn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson teamed up with lyricist Tim Rice to write a musical inspired by the 1972 chess match between American Bobby Fisher and Russian Boris Spassky.
In the ensuing time, that show, “Chess,” has been released as a concept album that spawned two hit singles (“One Night in Bangkok” and “I Know Him So Well”), had a three year run on London’s West End (despite mixed reviews when it premiered), opened and closed within the blink of an eye on Broadway (okay, so it ran eight weeks) and has inspired dozens of productions around the globe.
But as far as Rice is concerned it was never done correctly. Until now.
Photo: Tristram Kenton and Simon Williams
Josh Groban as Russian chess master (and good guy) Anatoly Sergievsky in "Chess in Concert."
Following a 2003 Actors Fund of America benefit concert of the musical, which featured Josh Groban, Rice decided an official version of “Chess” should be declared and documented, and “Chess in Concert” was born.
Groban and Broadway stars Idina Menzel (“Wicked”) and Adam Pascal (“Rent”) are starring in Rice’s ultimate concert production of the musical tonight on PBS’ “Great Performances.”
Photo: Tristram Kenton and Simon Williams
Adam Pascal as American chess master (and bad guy) Frederick Trumper and Idina Menzel as Florence Vassy, the third leg of the triangle in "Chess in Concert."
The show, which will be broadcast in 5.1 digital surround sound on PBS HD, was taped earlier this year at London’s Royal Albert Hall with the 50-piece City of London Philharmonic and the 100-voice West End Chorus.
And for those who can’t get enough “Chess,” Warner Brothers is releasing an edited CD and full-length DVD of the production.
Wednesday, June 17
Keane – “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” – rerun
Loni Love, Brad Wollack, Heather McDonald – “Chelsea Lately”
Alanis Morissette – “The Hour with George Stroumboulopoulos” – rerun
Incubus – “The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien”
Street Sweeper Social Club – “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon”
Rosanne Barr – “Jimmy Kimmel Live!”
Zee Avi – “Last Call with Carson Daly”
Thursday, June 18
Rosanne Barr – “The Tavis Smiley Show”
Holly Williams, Bryan Callen, Chris Franjola – “Chelsea Lately”
Phoenix – “Late Show with David Letterman”
The Dead Weather – “The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien”
The Fray – “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon”
Kathy Griffin, Ben Harper – “Jimmy Kimmel Live!”
Metric – “Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson”
Peaches – “Last Call with Carson Daly”
Friday, June 19
George Lopez, Mario Cantone, Lewis Black – “The View”
New Kids on the Block – “Live with Regis and Kelly” – rerun
Arden Myrin – “Chelsea Lately”
Billy Bob Thornton and The Boxmasters – “The Bonnie Hunt Show” – rerun
The Sounds – “Late Show with David Letterman”
Holly Williams – “The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien”
Kathy Griffin, The Ting Tings – “Last Call with Carson Daly”
Saturday, June 20
Bettye LaVette, Pinetop Perkins – “Austin City Limits” – rerun
Jonas Brothers – “Saturday Night Live” – rerun