Foster replaces Lara Fabian as Svetlana, the wife of the Russian chess player. According to a production spokesperson, Fabian departed the company due to scheduling conflicts. The Benny Anderson-Tim Rice-Björn Ulvaeus musical Chess, which began life as a two-LP recording in 1984, will be presented at 7:30 PM at the New Amsterdam Theatre. Seth Rudetsky is the artistic producer and musical director of the evening; Peter Flynn is the director.
Foster joins a cast that includes the previously announced Julia Murney as Florence, Adam Pascal as the American, Josh Groban as the Russian, Raul Esparza as the Arbiter, Norm Lewis as Molokov and Jonathan Dokuchitz as Walter. The company boasts an array of stage talents, including Meredith Aikins, Yassmine Alers, Albert Altovilla, Kim Alvarez, Farah Alvin, Carrie Ellen Austin, David Barrus, Kristine Bendul, Stephen Bienskie, John Bolton, Jerad Bortz, Kevin Bott, Stacey Lynn Brass, Rachel Bress, Ed Carlo, Lou I. Castro, Lanene Charters, Katherine Lynne Condit, Tim Cross, Stephanie D'Abruzzo, Justin Daniel, Ryan Dietz, John Treacy Egan, Markeisha Ensley, Mary Faber, Phil Fabry, Barrett Foa, Susan Fulginiti, Laurie Gamache, Julie Garnyé, Tanesha Gary-Stickney, Chris Ghelfi, Brian M. Golub, Sue Goodman, Ann Harada, Nina Hennessey, Stephen Alexander Horst, Mary Ann Hu, Cristin Hubbard, William Hubert, Adam Hunter, Jessica Jackson, Gerti James, Natalie Joy Johnson, Naomi Kakuk, Raissa Katona, Damian Keenan, Trent Armand Kendal, Michael Klimzak, Audrey Klinger, Lynette Knapp, David Ladd, Anika Larsen, Jason S. Little, Kristoffer Lowe, David McKeown, Naomi Naughton, Darius Nichols, Terri O'Neill, Amanda Ryan Paige, Max Pearlman, David Petrolle, William Ryall, Charlie Schwartz, Nicole Ruth Snelson, Doug Storm, Eileen Tepper, Shelley Thomas, Grant Turner, Richard E. Waits, Jessica Walker, Nyjah Moore Westbrooks, Jason Weston, Schele Williams, Gustavo Wons, Wysandria Woolsey, Matt Zarley, Kristine Zbornik and Christopher Zelno.
Sutton Foster, who currently stars in the title role of Thoroughly Modern Millie, received the Tony, Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle and Astaire awards her performance in the musical at the Marquis Theatre. Her other Broadway credits include roles in Les Misérables, Annie, The Scarlet Pimpernel and Grease!. Foster's regional and tour credits include What the World Needs Now, Dorian, Three Musketeers, South Pacific and The Will Rogers Follies.
Chess marks the third benefit concert for the Actors' Fund. The series began with an all-star Dreamgirls concert featuring the talents of Lillias White, Heather Headley and Audra McDonald. Last year’s Funny Girl concert boasted a slew of Fanny Brices, including Carolee Carmello, Kristin Chenoweth, Sutton Foster, Ana Gasteyer, Whoopi Goldberg, Spencer Kayden, Jane Krakowski, Judy Kuhn, La Chanze, Ricki Lake, Andrea Martin, Idina Menzel, Julia Murney, Bebe Neuwirth and Lillias White.
Chess debuted on the London stage with a cast led by Elaine Paige, Tommy Körberg and Murray Head, while the 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. Tickets for the Chess concert are available by calling (212) 221 7300, ext. 133. For more information, go to www.actorsfund.org.
The Actors' Fund of America, a nonprofit organization founded in 1882, provides for the social welfare of all entertainment professionals. Its headquarters and The Aurora Residence are located in New York City, and its nursing home and assisted living care facility are in Englewood, New Jersey.
