Video Highlights: Act One - Act Two    Photos: One - Two - Three

Masquers Production of Chess, Brilliant
The Mount Michael Masquers production of the musical CHESS, a Cold War tragedy, was a challenging selection that succeeded both musically and in the acting of the cast.

Elisabeth Whitaker and Natalie Sullivan were tremendous in this their final appearances with the Masquers. Both actresses have played numerous roles at the Mount over the last several years and will be sorely missed next fall. Sam Lathrop’s vocals harmonized and resonated beautifully throughout. Dan Whitaker danced with his usual grace and gave a heart wrenching performance on “Pity the Child.” Nick Mikalak gave his usual great performance while Casey McCullen was very impressive with his first major role. Mikalak and McCullen put the cold in Cold War. Ryan Daly also sang beautifully in both of his roles. The cast and crew did a great job with this very heavy and difficult musical.

ACT ONE

The story begins at a chess match in Bangkok where Florence (Natlie Sullivan), a Hungarian immigrant who lost her parents during the 1956 Hungarian Uprising, is an advisor for the American champion Freddie (Dan Whitaker). Freddie is self centered and a bit insecure (paranoid). Soon Florence has a falling out with Freddie and falls in love with the Soviet Champion Anatoly (Sam Lathrop) who defects from Russia.

ACT TWO

After several years of happiness together Anatoly and Florence find themselves in Hungary for a rematch between Anatoly and Freddie. Anatoly’s Russian wife Svetlana (Elizabeth Whitaker) shows up. Is something going on? The Russians want Anatoly back and soon set about blackmailing him. Molokov (Nick Michalak) the Russian agent and former handler for Anatoly meets up with Walter the advisor to Freddie and who is also an American agent. Together they make a deal that benefits both governments. In true Cold War fashion and like all war it is the innocent that suffer the consequences of governmental intrigue.