Off-Broadway (1992)

The **production off-Broadway in 1992** was a production of Chess with a revised script by Tim Rice. It was directed by David Taylor. The script was the first to feature a rematch in Act 2, and had an ambiguous ending where neither Freddie nor Anatoly won. Rice also wrote many new lyrics for the show. The show is mostly a revision of the London version, but has many elements of the Sydney production.

## Synopsis

### Act 1

The World Chess Championship 1972 ("The Story Of Chess") is to take place in Merano, Italy. The current champion is Frederick "Freddie" Trumper, who arrives with a show ("Merano") with his second Florence Vassy. Behind him is his challenger, Anatoly Sergievsky, accompanied by his wife Svetlana and second Alexander Molokov. The three argue about Freddie's outbursts, with Anatoly insisting that Freddie is perfectly sane ("The Russian and Molokov"). Anatoly reflects on his own rise to the top ("Where I Want To Be") Meanwhile, Florence and Freddie are practicing, and the two argue about Freddie's overconfidence ("How Many Women"). Florence, mirroring Anatoly, laments her dissatisfaction with her current position ("Where I Want To Be (Reprise)").

At the opening ceremony the delegates all insist that their player will win ("US vs USSR"), while the Arbiter asserts his control over the match ("The Arbiter's Song"). During the chess match, Freddie storms out of the room ("Chess #1"), leaving Florence, the Arbiter, Anatoly, and Molokov to argue ("A Model of Decorum and Tranquility"). After the four go their separate ways ("Hymn to Chess"), Anatoly and Svetlana argue at their hotel about what Anatoly should do ("Argument"), and Svetlana regrets how her marriage is falling apart ("Someone Else's Story"). Meanwhile, Florence and Freddie argue about Florence's plan for a meeting ("The American and Florence"), and Florence decides the only one she can rely on is herself ("Nobody's on Nobody's Side").

Freddie, avoiding the meeting, goes around the hotel lobby and works with the various merchandisers ("The Merchandisers' Song"). Florence and Anatoly arrive at the Inn for the meeting, and though it is initially awkward, they eventually develop romantic feelings for each other ("Mountain Top Duet"), until Freddie arrives and breaks up the meeting ("Who'd Ever Guess It?"), after which he justifies his actions to himelf ("A Taste of Pity").

After eleven games, Anatoly is leading five games to two ("Chess #2"). Freddie, upset, takes his anger out on Florence, who immediately leaves him ("Florence Quits"). This causes Freddie to break down in self-pity ("Pity The Child"), and resign. Anatoly, now the World Chess Champion, shares his victory with Florence ("Where I Want To Be (Reprise)"). Reporters begin bombarding Anatoly with questions, and Anatoly says that he believes that to be a good champion, he must stay in the West, but insists he will always love his homeland ("Anthem").

### Act 2

One year later, Anatoly is living in Switzerland, and the championship is taking place in Bangkok, Thailand, and Anatoly is playing a rematch against Freddie. The Arbiter ("The Story Of Chess") introduces us to the Oriental locale ("One Night In Bangkok"). Florence reflects on the year she has been with Anatoly ("Heaven Help My Heart"), but they soon find out that Molokov and Svetlana are in town ("Argument"). Anatoly goes to their hotel room, where he and Molokov argue about his actions and their consequences ("The Confrontation"), and Svetlana laments the end of their relationship ("Someone Else's Story (Reprise)").

Anatoly and Freddie have a psychological fight about the game in the lobby ("No Contest"), while Florence and Svetlana each reflect on how Anatoly needs the other more ("I Know Him So Well"). In an attempt to manipulate Anatoly, Molokov sends Svetlana to try to bring Anatoly home, but she fails. In the meantime, Freddie tries to manupulate Florence into coming back to him, but she is uninterested. He then tries to convicne Anatoly that she wants to leave him, but this also fails ("The Deal").

Freddie is leading Aantoly five games to four. Anatoly is conflicted about his choices, while the Arbiter stresses the importance of the game, Svetlana wonders if he has let fame go to his head, Molokov suggest that Anatoly has sold himself, and Florence wonders if her love has truly made her forget the tortures of her past. Anatoly, however, soon realizes that in this situation, all he can be true to is chess, and destroys Freddie, leaving the match tied at five-all ("Endgame"). After the game, Anatoly and Florence realize they can no longer be together and reflect on their relationship's end ("You And I"). As the show closes, the final game begins ("Epilogue").

## Song List

### Act 1

1. The Story Of Chess
2. Merano
3. The Russian and Molokov
4. Where I Want To Be
5. How Many Women
6. Where I Want To Be (Reprise)
7. US vs USSR
8. The Arbiter's Song
9. Chess #1
10. A Model of Decorum and Tranquility
11. Hymn to Chess
12. Argument
13. Someone Else's Story
14. The American and Florence
15. Nobody's on Nobody's Side
16. The Merchandisers' Song
17. Mountain Top Duet
18. Who'd Ever Guess It?
19. A Taste of Pity
20. Chess #2
21. Florence Quits
22. Pity The Child
23. Where I Want To Be (Reprise)
24. Anthem

### Act 2

1. The Story Of Chess
2. One Night In Bangkok
3. Heaven Help My Heart
4. Argument
5. The Confrontation
6. Someone Else's Story (Reprise)
7. No Contest
8. I Know Him So Well
9. The Deal
10. Endgame
11. You And I
12. Epilogue