Most musicals have happy endings, but not CHESS. Most musicals have likable characters, but not CHESS. The characters deceive each other to an endgame with the nihilistic song Nobody’s On Nobody’s Side.
CHESS was written by the composers of ABBA, a group that ranks in the top four of music sales in the billions. The ABBA musical, Mama Mia, was a mega-hit, but CHESS was a Broadway flop. However, revivals all over the world have changed the plot, locations, sets, costumes, characters music and lyrics in an effort to make the show work. South Gate Stage takes on the challenge of this difficult but intriguing musical.