11th Hour Theatre Company presents ‘Chess the Musical’

The strength of the music

All of the lead actors bring power and passion to their vocals—especially Amanda Robles as Florence and Luke Bradt as Anatoly, in numbers like “Nobody’s Side” and “Anthem,” respectively. 11th Hour strips away the blockbuster elements of the production and brings out the strength of the music.

However, the performances become somewhat limited physically, tethered as they are to microphones. This makes the motivations of the characters and the mechanics of the plot seem a bit murky, especially at the beginning. Adding to some of the murkiness are the persistent high-volume rock vocals for this entirely sung-through musical, with scene-setting lyrics arriving at the same level as major revelations.

Getting political?

The central question of Chess is how certain public figures, like chess grandmasters (or athletes or artists), handle the politics always present in or around their work. Should the players attempt to stay neutral (if one can truly be neutral), or is it worth taking a stand and making certain sacrifices with their ambitions and relationships?

Chess remains a cult favorite despite the show's having gone through multiple incarnations with varying success. The original concept album and British production were popular, but Chess bombed when it came to Broadway with a retooled story. There have also been various concert versions and recordings throughout the years. 11th Hour offers great work in what a concert version does best, especially for a show like Chess.

Holding its own

This production centers the rock-operatic and other eclectic musical elements like the choral ensemble, telegraphing how Chess can hold its own with other epic musicals such as Les Misérables or Evita. The concert staging overcomes Chess’s failure to gel into a definitive and memorable fully staged production precisely because this minimalist version highlights the music and vocals. You may not get every turn of the plot or shift in setting, but you fully absorb the characters’ emotions through the music, which makes for a fulfilling concert.

Concert versions possess many of the strengths of intimate productions, especially for shows that have an epic sweep. 11th Hour’s Chess staging doesn't simply present the show in a new light—it brings out the strengths and beauty that can be lost in other formats whose additional theatrical elements fall short. It’s not a watered-down version of the “real” show, but an artistic form that stands on its own, and this Chess is a worthy entry in the genre.