Produced and directed by Brian Michael Purcell, the evening will pay tribute to director/choreographer Jim Alexander, who passed away May 25.

As previously announced, the evening will feature the talents of Susan Egan (as Svetlana), Kevin Earley (as Anatoly), Cindy Robinson (as Florence), Thomas Griffith (as Molokov), Tom Schmidt (as Walter) and Matthew Morrison (as the Arbiter). Eric Kunze, who has been seen on Broadway in Les Miz, Miss Saigon and Damn Yankees, is the latest addition to the cast; Kunze will play the American. The company will be backed by a 24-piece orchestra.

The creative team will also include choreographer A.C. Ciulla and music director Dan Redfeld.

The Benny Anderson-Tim Rice-Björn Ulvaeus musical Chess debuted on the London stage with a cast led by Elaine Paige, Tommy Körberg and Murray Head, while the short-lived Broadway company featured Judy Kuhn, Philip Casnoff and the late David Carroll. The score includes such tunes as "Nobody's Side," "One Night in Bangkok," "Anthem," "I Know Him So Well," "Pity the Child" and "You and I." The original Broadway cast recording was released on RCA Victor.

For tickets call (323) 461-3673 or visit www.fordtheatres.org beginning July 18. The Ford Amphitheatre is located at 2580 Cahuenga Blvd. East in Hollywood, CA.