Synopsis and Musical Numbers
(click on song titles for lyrics and photos)
ACT ONE
The story begins with a ballet redolent of ancient Thai
rituals with the "Story
of Chess"
played out by warriors and a queen. A brief scene in the
hotel lobby introduces us to the
characters: Freddie,
Florence and Walter, Anatoly, Molokov and Svetlana
(she's in the top of the show for the first
time, and an equal
to the other main characters). "One Night in
Bangkok"
introduces
the city, and it's
sung by both Freddie and Anatoly, united in curiosity
and tourism before the competition begins. The scene in
the Arbiter's chambers, the children's
hymn"Tournament Anthem," The
Arbiter's Song," "U.S.
vs. U.S.S.R" and "The Merchandiser's Song" are
mixed and blended together, followed by the
"Quartet," which is staged on
the chessboard. In Florence and Freddie's bedroom
("Argument/Nobody's Side"),
battle begins. Florence, long in Freddie's shadow,
is fighting for her soul. In Anatoly and Svetlana's
bedroom, we learn he's tired of his wife, Russia, chess
and his
life ("Where I Want to Be").
In the hotel lobby bar, the chorus and the Arbiter
comment on relationships, romance and life("Cocktail
Chorus").
Molokov finds
"this new openness is such a strain." He longs for the
Cold War days when dealing with opposite numbers was
easier: "You knew you couldn't trust them." The chorus
comments again, setting up the duet, where Florence is
truly entranced by the sexy Russian ("Terrace
Duet"). Freddie
and Anatoly square
off in "No Contest"
(originally written for Walter and Freddie) then
Florence breaks
up with Freddie ("Florence
Quits"). Anatoly wins the next game and, with
Walter's
help, defects, asking Florence to share his new life in
the West ("Heaven Help My
Heart").
Svetlana is devastated, Molokov astounded, Freddie
furious. The act ends with the entire company singing
"One night in Bangkok and the world's in turmoil, not
much between despair and
ecstasy...."
ACT TWO
The second act opens with "Embassy Lament"
while
Anatoly cools his
heels waiting for his papers. Svetlana and Anatoly
have an emotional scene together
("You and I"), then
Anatoly says goodbye to Russia
("Anthem"). Svetlana says
her goodbye to their life together
("Someone Else's Story").
Freddie catches Florence moving her luggage
and they also have a memory-filled goodbye. He's
more upset than he lets her see, and soothes his
ego with "Pity the Child."
Molokov and his cohorts then unite in
"The Soviet Machine," now
set in a sports club where they plot how to
turn the situation to their advantage. Molokov and
Walter work out a deal (
"The Deal I") whereby Molokov will give
Florence evidence proving her father is still alive
in
Prague if Walter "Let's Work
Together" gives Anatoly the bureaucratic
run-around. "The Deal II"
is sought between all of the principal players,
culminating in "I Know
Him So Well," now sung by Florence about
Freddie
and Svetlana about Anatoly. "Endgame" has
the force of
London plus the
clarity of New York, with Anatoly and Freddie in
pitched battle for the championship. Anatoly
wins,
decides to return to Moscow and Svetlana. She's
a
graceful winner and there's a nice moment of
compassion for Florence. Walter reveals it's all
for
naught, that the papers from Prague are suspect.
She and Svetlana part with respect and she and
Anatoly part with regret (
"You and I"). But Florence's cry at the
end
is hopeful: she's lost Freddie, Anatoly and her
father
but has found herself.
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The Company: Dean Lotherington, Michael Turkic, Anhtai Anhtuan, Wilaluksana Ariyamethe, Robert Beryy,
Emmma Callaghan, Chai, Chris Dickson, Rodney Dobson, Ramon Doringo, Di Emry, Duncan Esler, Ron Fung,
Nicole Hamilton, Delia Hannah, Renee Isaacs, Angela Johnson, Jason Langley, Laura Lattuada,
Michael James McCarren, Michael Montgomery, Angeline Nocera, Miki Oikawa, Anita Plateris, Wendy Purdy,
Kathryn Sadler, Marcus Santos, Kris Schumacher, David Smith, Mariuan Chanophap Walsh, Jemma Wilks,
Shu-Cheen Wong, Darren R. Yap, Hao Zhou
