What did the critics think of Chess?
News Desk, February 19th, 2018The 1984 musical, Chess, returned in a new production by Tony award winner Michael Mayer at the Kennedy Center. The musical, which ran through February 18, starred Ramin Karimloo, Raul Esparza, Ruthie Ann Miles and Karen Olivo.
Chess received mixed reviews from the critics, with DC Metro Theater Arts saying ""While several principal cast members have book in hand during the first act, as the action rises to critical mass in the second act, the cast is off book and the performances are searing"". The variety also praised the melodies stating they were ""delivered with authority"". But when it came to the sound, all critics shared the same opinion saying it needed work; Washington Post said ""in a musical about the balance of power, it's the balance between orchestra and vocalists that most urgently needs to be resolved"".
However, even though the orchestra received bad press for overpowering the work of the cast, it didn't stop Washington Post praising the work of the cast, they said ""the dazzling Olivio's work here demonstrates her range and magnetism; Karimloo and Miles infuse a mellifluousness into everything they sing"" and they also wished to see them back on Broadway, just in something else...
We'd love to know what you thought of Chess! If you were fortunate enough to go and see it, why not leave a review?
