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Apples2for10
Broadway Legend
Joined: Tue Feb 13, 2007 2:05 pm Posts: 1616 Location: Eastern U.S.
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 Song Discussion: "The Story of Chess"
My exposure to this song actually began with a very different show. I did Run Crew for a production of 'The Lion In Winter', and this song began every performance. I didn't even realize it was from CHESS until several months later. But beyond that, I love how flowing and mellow the melody is; it has an almost zenlike quality that instantly calms you (or maybe that's just the effect it has on me). Thoughts on this great song?
_________________ Brian aka Apples2for10
"...Apples is probably the one who's posted the most relevant musical stuff long term in the past few months."- UniquePerspective
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Tue Jul 28, 2009 6:43 pm |
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jackrussell
Tony Winner
Joined: Wed Nov 12, 2008 12:17 pm Posts: 283
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The music is very distinctive and the lyrics are pure Tim Rice - you will either love them or hate them depending on your view of him.
I'm not sure it's indispensible to the show (you could cut it and the show would still work just as well), it's also probably too long, and the music is used again anyway, but it's clever and it does make a good introduction.
_________________ Blessed are those who go in circles, for they shall be called "wheels".
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Sat Aug 01, 2009 2:54 am |
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Cadriel
Off-Broadway Lead
Joined: Mon Jul 08, 2002 8:04 am Posts: 223 Location: South Jersey
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As for length: I don't think it's a coincidence that the Broadway, Sydney and Stockholm versions of the show all start off with the song shortened in the exact same way. It definitely works better that way.
_________________ "Everybody's playing the game
But nobody's rules are the same
Nobody's on nobody's side!"
-Florence Vassy
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Sat Aug 01, 2009 3:35 am |
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RainbowJude
Broadway Legend / MdN Veteran
Joined: Wed May 14, 2003 8:33 am Posts: 3056 Location: Musical Cyberspace
Current Obsession: Musicals!
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It is a hard number to place, because the number has no dramatic action in relation to the narrative. In that sense, it is dispensable. It's more like an end credits song than anything else.
In the theatre, it doesn't work well at the top of the show at all.
Later days
David
_________________
 VISIT MUSICAL CYBERSPACE: A TRIBUTE TO THE MUSICALS OF BROADWAY AND BEYOND.
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Sat Aug 01, 2009 3:55 am |
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High-baritonne
Broadway Legend
Joined: Sun Jul 22, 2007 4:21 pm Posts: 1146 Location: Norway
Main Role: Performer
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Well, that would depend on the script. The Broadway version used it in a very good manner. It was very enchanting to hear Gregor Vassy sing to Florence right before he leaves to join the uprising.
_________________ I never use smilies. So do not mistake me for being rude for not returning a wink or a smile.
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Sat Aug 01, 2009 5:28 am |
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Cadriel
Off-Broadway Lead
Joined: Mon Jul 08, 2002 8:04 am Posts: 223 Location: South Jersey
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It's kind of a pain in the neck for amateur productions though - you need to wrangle a child actress for literally two lines in one scene. Not that the scene isn't good theatre, but it's sort of a drag on the casting.
_________________ "Everybody's playing the game
But nobody's rules are the same
Nobody's on nobody's side!"
-Florence Vassy
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Sat Aug 01, 2009 7:47 am |
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Hans
Broadway Legend
Joined: Thu Apr 18, 2002 4:55 am Posts: 1957 Location: Norway
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Didn't you use to be of the totally opposite opinion? That it is some sort of mise-en-abyme, like The Dance At The Gym in WSS or Good Thing Going from MWRA?
_________________
Formerly known as Dvarg
\"Hans usually knows his shitt when it comes to theatre.\" - Salome
\"You all are f***ing crazy, except Hans, who is actually quite smart\" - Jennyanydots
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Sat Aug 01, 2009 7:50 am |
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jackrussell
Tony Winner
Joined: Wed Nov 12, 2008 12:17 pm Posts: 283
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I think you have to see it as a mise-en-abyme for it to have any point at all, but it's not easy, except for the opening line perhaps. It doesn't even (contrary to the last verse) explain the appeal of the game very well - you can happily enjoy the game of chess without knowing any of that.
_________________ Blessed are those who go in circles, for they shall be called "wheels".
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Sun Aug 02, 2009 2:48 am |
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Apples2for10
Broadway Legend
Joined: Tue Feb 13, 2007 2:05 pm Posts: 1616 Location: Eastern U.S.
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 Re:
How exactly is it shortened? What lyrics are excised? Couldn't the child be worked into other scenes as Ensemble?
_________________ Brian aka Apples2for10
"...Apples is probably the one who's posted the most relevant musical stuff long term in the past few months."- UniquePerspective
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Fri Nov 25, 2011 12:20 pm |
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Cadriel
Off-Broadway Lead
Joined: Mon Jul 08, 2002 8:04 am Posts: 223 Location: South Jersey
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 Re: Re:
The song ends after "They thus invented chess." You can hear it on the OBC or Chess På Svenska. Not particularly. The ensemble in Broadway are primarily playing reporters and various participants and hangers-on in the chess match. There are no lines or vocal parts for a young child, and it would seem awkward if the girl from the beginning were onstage.
_________________ "Everybody's playing the game
But nobody's rules are the same
Nobody's on nobody's side!"
-Florence Vassy
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Thu Dec 08, 2011 8:16 pm |
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