Chess

May 2015

Performances:
May 9, 15, 16, 17, 22, 23, 29, 30
Fri/Sat @ 8:15pm | Sun @ 2:00pm

Music by Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson
Lyrics by Tim Rice, Björn Ulvaeus
Book by Richard Nelson
Directed by Lisa Anne Bailey
Music Direction by Scott Richards
Choreography by Cathy Oh
Produced by John Nunemaker

Location:
Kensington Town Hall / Armory
3710 Mitchell Street, Kensington, MD 20895

Here the ancient game becomes a metaphor for romantic rivalries, competitive gamesmanship, super power politics and international intrigues. The pawns in this drama form a love triangle: the loutish American chess star, the earnest Russian champion and a Hungarian-American female assistant who arrives at the international chess match in Bangkok with the American but falls for the Russian. From Bangkok to Budapest the players, lovers, politicians, and spies manipulate and are manipulated to the pulse of a monumental rock score that includes “One Night in Bangkok” and “Heaven Help My Heart.”

	Maria Ciarrocchi (Ensemble) is ecstatic to be making her KAT debut in Chess, a musical she has dreamed of doing for close to 20 years! Some favorite roles include Rose Seller in Oliver! (LTA), Shelby in Steel Magnolias and The Most Happy Fella (TAP). Maria resides in Alexandria, VA and is a Vice President at the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce. This one is for her best friend of 29 years, who by some miracle happens to be in town at the same time as this show, and of course her angel of music. Love and thanks to all the amazing people who support and inspire her!
	Jason Damaso (Ensemble) is thrilled to be making his KAT debut! He was most recently seen as Bernard in Boeing Boeing (MP). Other credits include DTC: She Loves Me (Waiter - WATCH nomination), Cabaret (Emcee), Seussical (Mr. Mayor), Joseph...Dreamcoat (Jacob/Potiphar), Oliver! (Mr. Sowerberry), Spelling Bee (Panch), and Dirty Rotten Scoundrels; RMT: The Great American Trailer Park Musical (Duke), Evita; SMP: Chicago; Zemfira: Spamalot (Prince Herbert); SSS: One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (Ruckley), Farragut North; CCP: Sunshine Boys (Ben) and Incorruptible (Felix). Special thanks and love to Mario who makes this, and everything else, possible.
	Teresa Danskey (Florence Vassy) is back for her second show at KAT! Recent credits include: Rona Lisa Peretti in Spelling Bee (KAT), Holly in The Wedding Singer (TAP), and Cleo in The Most Happy Fella (TAP). Teresa is currently pursuing her Masters in International Education at GW, teaches high school Spanish in DC, and coaches their Latin Dance Team. She will be taking her first break from teaching this fall in order to complete her degree and further pursue theater. Shout outs to her students, family, and friends in the audience! Special thanks to Nathan for his support and encouragement.
	Randy Dunkle (Freddie Trumper) is happy to be making his debut at KAT. Some of his favorite past roles include George in Sunday in the Park with George and Jamie in The Last Five Years. He would like to thank his family and friends for their love and support.
	Megan Evans (Ensemble) is thrilled to be making her KAT debut. She recently appeared in HSP’s Shrek the Musical as Fiona as well as RMT’s productions of Grease and The Music Man. Megan is originally from East Grand Rapids, MI and some favorite performances from her hometown include Fiddler on the Roof, Really Rosie, A Comedy of Errors, Hello Dolly, My Sister Eileen and 42nd Street.
	Ward Ferguson (Anatoly) Orlando - Disney’s Animal Kingdom & Pleasure Island; Universal Studios; She Loves Me (Kodaly); JCS (Judas); Just So (Jaguar); The Rocky Horror Show (Eddie/Dr.Scott); Meat Street (world premier); NYC - Give and Take (world premier, Lincoln Center); DMV - Les Miserables (Javert); Music Man (Harold Hill); BFA/Theatre, Auburn University Originally from Houston, TX, Ward tours internationally with his a cappella band, Snowday. An accomplished musical director and pianist, he also performs solo piano gigs and with band, Cheap Sunglasses. Love to Katie and the pups. And much appreciation to the cast and crew for their support.
	Constance Genter (Ensemble) is thrilled to be back on the KAT stage after appearing as Luisa Contini in the 2006 production of Nine. Constance trained professionally for two years at the Boston Conservatory of Music, graduated from Emerson College with a B.S. in Speech Communication, and received a J.D. from Drake University School of Law. She is an attorney for the Federal government and spends her spare time playing tennis and "reading" for book club (yes, they do talk about the book). Constance thanks her #1 fan, Will, her supportive family, friends, and co-workers, and the Chess production staff for casting her after a long hiatus from the stage.
	Nina Jankowicz (Svetlana Sergievsky) is thrilled to be making her debut at KAT! Nina studied in Russia and her day job focuses on the former Soviet Union, so Chess holds a special place in her heart. She most recently appeared as Sally in RCP’s You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown. Favorite roles include the title roles in Peter Pan and Kiss Me, Kate, Roxie in Chicago and Queenie in Lippa’s The Wild Party. Nina thanks the cast and crew for listening to her Russia stories; Lisa, Scott, and Cathy for giving her the chance to bring Svetlana to life; her husband and dog for dealing with her rehearsal schedule, and family and friends for their continued support!
	Garrett Matthews (Arbiter) is excited to be joining the cast of Chess in his first production with KAT. His previous roles have included Danny in Grease at RMT, Ralph Rackstraw in HMS Pinafore at SLOCO and Blind in Die Fledermaus at Hartt Opera Theatre. Garrett received his Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from The Hartt School in 2013 and has also been working on a film production of King Lear and other film projects. Hoping to have a well-rounded career in musical theatre and film, Garrett is excited to have been able to be a part of this wonderful fuse of opera, rock, and musical theatre.
	James Maxted (Ensemble) is thrilled to be doing one of his dream shows and make his KAT debut at the same time. A graduate of William and Mary with a BS in Computer Science and a Music minor, he recently got back into theatre in October 2013 and has been in or helped out with 14 productions since then. Recent credits include Jesus Christ Superstar (Herod/Ensemble) with PWLT, The Rocky Horror Show (Riff Raff) with Unquiet, and Shrek (King Harold/Papa Bear/Bishop) with TAT. Special thanks to all his family and friends who have always been there for him.
	Quinn McCord (Walter) This is Quinn’s first show with KAT, although he previously appeared in the proto-KAT production of Chess at the Armory back in 2001. His favorite roles include Jesus in Godspell (MP), Neville/Dickon in The Secret Garden (TL/DTC), Cornelius in Hello Dolly (RMT), Dr. Madden in Next to Normal (MCP), Jack in Into the Woods (SSTG), Ciccio in The Most Happy Fella (TAP), Gangster #1 in The Drowsy Chaperone (MCP), and Aaron/Dewey in Legally Blonde (MCP). He is proud to still hold the record of an 11-season run with the Wildwood Summer Theatre.
	Christopher Overly (Molokov) is happy to be making his KAT debut. He has performed with numerous companies in the area the past two years and has also performed in NY, LA, and Germany, in musicals, operas, and ballets. Some of his favorite roles have been Sweeney Todd, Munkustrap in Cats, Archibald in The Secret Garden, Hunter in [title of show], Roger in Rent, Tybalt in Romeo and Juliet, and most recently, Father in The Children of Eden at 2nd Star Production. His next project will be directing The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas with RMT this summer. He is ecstatic to have the unrelenting support of his beautiful wife, Rebecca.
	Dean Reichard (Ensemble) is excited to return to KAT after appearing in KAT’s 2011 production of Jekyll and Hyde. Other theatrical credits include Jesus Christ Superstar (SMP,2006), Side Show (ESP,2007), and Once on This Island (Chalice Theatre,2010). Dean also sings with the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington and the a cappella group Not What You Think, and has appeared in numerous Gilbert and Sullivan operettas and fundraising cabarets at the Capitol Hill Arts Workshop (CHAW). Many thanks to Lisa, Cathy, Scott, Denise, Patty, John, the entire production team, cast and crew for their hard work and friendship. Thanks for coming! Enjoy the show!
	Peyton Rydzewski (Young Florence) is excited to appear in her first musical with KAT. Peyton is in 2nd grade at Kent Gardens Elementary School, has taken ballet for 3 years, and likes to sing, act, and do hip hop. She would like to thank Lisa and Scott for the opportunity and her parents for helping her get the chance to be in the show!
	Rich Shegogue (Gregor/Ensemble) is excited to return to KAT after appearing as the Bishop and ensemble member in Les Miserables. Recent credits include: A Little Night Music (Carl-Magnus) with DTC, and The Music Man (Jacey Squires/ Quartet), Nunsense A-Men (Sister Mary Amnesia), Forever Plaid (Jinx), Annie (Rooster), Evita (Magaldi), The Full Monty (Malcolm) with RMT. Hugs to Marci, Camryn and Jamie for being my biggest fans. Break a pawn, Chess teammates!
	Amy Winter (Ensemble) is very excited about making her KAT debut! She has been a part of productions at The Kennedy Center, The Round House, Burn Brae Dinner Theater, and RMT. Thank you to her family, friends, pets, and colleagues for their continued support and understanding!