Pieces in place for Civic Theatre’s ‘Chess’ production

Love? Intrigue? Chess?

Those three concepts are compatible in the musical “Chess,” by the ABBA team of Bjorn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson.

It’s about a love triangle between two chess grandmasters and the woman who manages one of them.

When this musical first arrived on the scene (in 1984, as a concept album), international chess intrigue was still relatively fresh in people’s minds.

American grandmaster Bobby Fischer had engaged in a highly publicized match with Russian Boris Spassky in 1972, in a contest that was touted as a Cold War battle. One of the characters is based loosely on Fischer.

“Chess” went on to have a successful 1986 run in London’s West End and a not-so-successful 1988 run on Broadway.

The Spokane Civic Theatre’s production tonight and Saturday is the theater’s annual “in-concert” fundraiser. Songs are presented in concert style, not fully staged.

Yet that doesn’t mean this is a small production. This version of “Chess” will feature 40 singers and musicians.

Executive artistic director Yvonne A.K. Johnson directs this show and the orchestra will be conducted by Max Mendez.

Robby French sings the role of Freddie, Andrea Dawson sings Florence and Jordan Gookin sings Anatoly.