PM&L Theatre presents

Book by RICHARD NELSON Lyrics by TIM RICE Music by

BENNY ANDERSON and BJÖRN ULVAEUSBased on an idea by TIM RICE

Broadway Production presented by The Shubert Organization/3 Knights, Ltd./Robert Fox, Ltd. Directed

Directed for PM&L by Lorrie Ferguson

The videotaping or making of electronic or other audio and/or visual recordings of this production or distributing recordings on any medium, including the internet, is strictly prohibited, a VIOLATION OF THE AUTHOR’S RIGHTS AND ACTIONABLE

UNDER UNITED STATES COPYRIGHT LAW. for more information, please visit:

WWW.SAMUELFRENCH.COM/WHITEPAPERPlease protect the arts and our ability to present them to you.

“Chess” is presented by special arrangement with SAMUEL FRENCH, INC.

“My land’s only borders lie around my heart.”

CHESS Production Team

Prologue FilmHead of Production, Filming, Editing ........................... GARY L. LUZDirector ............................................................ LORRIE FERGUSONSound ...................................................................... GENE LeFAVELighting ............................................................. KENELM SCHESKECostumes ............................................................... JEAN NEWTONProperties .............................................................. KATHY LeFAVE

Main Stage ProductionDirector ............................................................ LORRIE FERGUSONAssistant Director .............................................. DARIUS RUSSELLEVocal Director ...................................................... KENZIE HUGHESMusic Director ...................................................... PAUL BLEADOWChoreographer .................................................. COLLEEN WALKER Stage Manager ....................................................... KATHY LeFAVEStage Crew .. HEATHER ANDERSON, RYAN BAVIDO, PATRICK BLAKE, JAMIE GROSS, DAWSON HANSEN, JULIAN WILKERSONSet Design, Master Carpenter ....................................... ART JONESSet Construction ...................... PATRICK BLAKE, MATTHEW CRAIG, HAROLD NEWTON, WOW TEAMScenic Decorators ................ LORRIE FERGUSON, CHRIS HEILGEIST, KATHY LeFAVE, HAROLD NEWTON, KAREN OSBORNE, LYDIA OSBORNE, REGINA REYNOLDS, MONICA STARK, HILARY SCHNEIDERProperties ............................... LORRIE FERGUSON, KATHY LeFAVE, CONNIE WURSTER, CASTCostumes ..................... JEAN NEWTON with MERIDY NIEDERKORN, TRISH JANSTA and CASTLighting & Projection Design .............................. KENELM SCHESKEAssistants ........... KEN ALBRECHT, MARK AUDRAIN, MIKE RACETTELighting Assistant & Operator ........................... HAROLD NEWTONSound Design ........................................................... GENE LeFAVESound & Projection Operator .................................. EVAN GEROLDProducer .......................................................... REGINA REYNOLDSMembers of the Band .................. PAUL BLEADOW, AARON BRAUN, NICK LEPTICH, ALEX POYNER, CHRIS RITERPhotographers ......... GARY L. LUZ, IVA TROCKE, CONNIE WURSTER MELISSA FRANK, BECKY KAVKAPublicity ............................................................. REBECCA ZELLARProgram ........................................................... KATHLEEN LeFAVEHouse Manager ................................................ RANDY MARGISON

CHESS Characters

Prologue FilmGREGOR VASSY ........................................................ Paul BleadowYOUNG FLORENCE ............................................... Madeline BoothENSEMBLE ..................... Shirley Austin, Erin Booth, Izabella Booth, Debra Gass, Quinn Hausman-Chapman,Tom Hausman, Rollie Hinz, Valerie Hinz, Fran Jansta, Trish Jansta, Jeff Louis, Joanne Louis, Paula Mantas, Judith Perryman, Oscar Scharrer, Bryce Swaim, Iva Trocke, Sheila M. Wright, Connie Wurster

Mainstage ProductionFREDERICK TRUMPER ............................................... Jeffrey DuBois FLORENCE VASSY..................................................... Rebecca ZellarANATOLY SERGIEVSKY .......................................... Michael MetcalfALEXANDER MOLOKOV .............................................. Mark BadtkeNIKOLAI ..................................................................... Ryan BavidoWALTER ANDERSON .......................................... Matthew J. LeptichARBITER (weekends 1 & 3) ........................................ Kevin PollackARBITER (weekend 2) ................................................. Sean WalkerSVETLANA SERGIEVSKY ...................................... Jessica AugustineENSEMBLE/DANCERS ............................ Patrick Blake, Trisha Blythe,

Jessica Buehler, Matthew Craig, Caryl Davidson, Alexis Dreyer, Cristianna Formeller, Lynnea Fredrickson-Smith, Jamie Gross, Dawson Hansen, Fran Jansta, Trish Jansta, Michele MacLennan, Karen Osborne,

Susie Perkowitz, Hilary Schneider, Monica Stark, Julian Wilkerson, Connie Wurster

CHESS Director’s NotesLORRIE FERGUSON, Artistic DirectorI grew up during the cold war and remember air raid drills and the constant fear of the Russians. The Berlin Wall in Germany, separating the East and West, was a reality. The idea that people were not able to have the freedom of choice for their lives was unfathomable. This show is about passion. Passion for what you love in life, whether it is what you do, who you love, or where you

live. Passion in our heart allows us to live, not just exist. I am so thrilled to share with you, the audience, my current passion, CHESS, the musical.

Special Thanks toAntioch Senior Center, Gene LeFave, Michael Trocke, Leah Swaim, Gerard Wurster, Glenn Szalkowski

CHESS Musical Numbers/SettingsPROLOGUE FILM Budapest, Hungary, 1956The Story of Chess ........................................................ Gregor

ACT ONE Bangkok, Thailand, 1986Freddie’s Entrance ........................................................ FreddiePress Conference ........................ Freddie, Florence, ReportersWhere I Want to Be ....................................................... AnatolyArgument ......................................... Florence, FreddieMerchandisers ................................ Walter, MerchandisersDiplomats ......... Molokov, American & Soviet DelegatesQuartet ............. Molokov, Florence, Arbiter, AnatolyFlorence/American ......................................... Florence, FreddieSomeone Else’s Story ...................................................... FlorenceOne Night in Bangkok ..................................... Freddie & CompanyTerrace Duet ........................................ Florence, AnatolyFlorence Quits ......................................... Freddie, FlorenceA Taste of Pity ........................................................ FreddieNobody’s Side .................................... Florence & CompanyReporters .................................................... ReportersAnthem ....................................................... Anatoly

INTERMISSION

PROLOGUE Kennedy Airport, New York, 8 weeks laterArbiter’s Song ..................................... Arbiter & Company

ACT TWO Budapest, HungaryHungarian Folk Song .................................................... CompanyHeaven Help My Heart .................................................... FlorenceWinning ............................................ Freddie, WalterYou and I ......................... Anatoly, Florence, SvetlanaFreddie Goes Metal ........................................................ FreddieLet’s Work Together .......................................... Walter, MolokovI Know Him So Well ....................................... Florence, SvetlanaPity the Child ........................................................ FreddieFather’s Lullaby .......................................... Father, FlorenceEndgame ....................... Anatoly, Freddie & CompanyYou and I (reprise) ........................................ Anatoly, FlorenceFinale (reprise) ...................................................... Florence

PATRICK BLAKE, Ensemble, KGB agentPat is excited to be in his first musical at PML. He has been a member of PML for 3 years and appeared in PLAZA SUITE and BAD SEED. Pat’s previous work comes from Kirk Players in Mundelein where he has been in numerous roles over the past 26 years. Pat is also a member of the Mundelein Picard Players improv troupe. Pat lives in Libertyville with his wife and two college daughters. Pat thanks his wife Kathy for her love and support of his theatre endeavors.

CHESS Cast Profiles

RYAN BAVIDO as NikolaiRyan is grateful to be part of such an incredible and

talented company, cast and crew. Previous PM&L appearances include Harry in COMPANY and CC Showers in THE DIVINERS. Love always to friends, family and his

loving spouse. “Shoot for the moon; if you miss, you’ll be among the stars!”

JESSICA BUEHLER, Ensemble, ReporterThis is Jessica’s first production with PM&L. She is thrilled to be back on stage. Some favorite roles include Rona (THE 25th ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE), Kate Monster (AVENUE Q), and Lily (THE SECRET GARDEN). Jessica spends her days teaching music and choir in Round Lake Park. She would like to thank her family and friends for their love and support.

MATTHEW CRAIG, Ensemble, RussianThis is Matthew’s fifteenth show at PM&L. It’s also his third consecutive show, following THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE, and IT RUNS IN THE FAMILY where he played Dr. Bonney. It’s fair to say he’s been keeping busy, and he doesn’t plan

on slowing down.

JESSICA AUGUSTINE as Svetlana SergievskyJessica is excited to appear on the PM&L stage once again!

Her past notable roles include Hope in URINETOWN THE MUSICAL, Nancy in OLIVER!, and Gabriella in BOEING

BOEING. Jessica is a foster parent, world traveler, and lover of pretty dresses. She thanks her husband for his

constant love and support.

MARK BADTKE as Alexander MolokovThis is Mark’s 38th season at PM&L. He was Old Man Strong and Hot Blades Harry in last season’s URINETOWN THE MUSICAL. He recently directed VANYA AND SONIA AND MASHA AND SPIKE. Mark spends most of his time helping his daughter Colleen run the Christian Art Centre at Chapel on the Hill in Lake Geneva.

TRISHA BLYTHE, Ensemble, DancerThis is Trisha’s first performance at PM&L. Trisha captained her dance team at Glenbrook South HS, and danced at the University of Arizona. She’s worked as a poms coach and ballroom dancing instructor before teaching 5th grade in Glenview. Trisha has a Masters in Education and currently works as the Director of Development for a nonprofit organization in Waukegan. Trisha’s true passion is performing, and is

excited to share in this excitement with the cast.

CARYL DAVIDSON, Ensemble, Arbiter’s Asst., DancerCaryl adds her PM&L debut in CHESS to her long list of North Shore area theaters with which she has performed. Favorite roles include Annie Oakley in ANNIE GET YOUR GUN (Gaslight Players) and Martha in THE SECRET GARDEN (Devonshire Playhouse). Caryl sends thanks to her family, friends, and amazing husband for their support and encouragement.

CHESS Cast Profiles

ALEXIS DREYER, Ensemble, Russian, DancerAlexis is very excited to be a part of CHESS. This will be

her second show at PM&L! You may have seen her last fall in URINETOWN THE MUSICAL as one of the poor folk.

She would like to thank her family and friends for their ongoing love and support! Alexis’ role this winter will be

at the Wilmot Tubing Hill!

LYNNEA FREDRICKSON-SMITH, Ensemble, ReporterLynnea is excited for her debut on the PM&L stage having just recently moved to the area. Lynnea earned her BFA in Musical Theatre from Nebraska Wesleyan University and her MA from Bowling Green State University. Originally from Northern Iowa, Lynnea was a vocal proponent for community theatre, rekindling Forest City’s Brickstreet Theatre in 2015 where she directed CAROUSEL, WHITE CHRISTMAS, and THE SOUND OF MUSIC over the last five years.

CRISTIANNA FORMELLER, Ensemble, Arbiter Asst., DancerCristianna is excited to make her debut with PM&L. She lives in

Palatine with husband Josh and can usually be seen onstage in that area. 2019 roles include Wife/Ensemble in JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING

TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT (Music On Stage), Young Sally in FOLLIES (LZP Productions), and a featured soloist in Theatre Nebula’s

BROADWAY BACKWARDS and ISTH’s MAGICAL MUSICALS & PIXIE DUST. As always, thanks to Josh for his love and support.

JAMIE GROSS, Ensemble, Arbiter Asst., DancerJamie is an elementary school speech language pathologist with a love of dancing, theater, and being in the spotlight! She was in her first ever musical this past summer playing

Mush in Northbrook Community Theater’s production of NEWSIES and is thrilled to be back on stage in the ensemble

of CHESS! “Break legs, everyone!”

DAWSON HANSEN, Ensemble, ReporterDawson is excited to make his musical acting debut as part of the CHESS team. He also works at “Dungeon of Doom” in Zion, IL, as a scare actor and helps with set design and lighting. He would like to thank the cast and crew for their encouragement and support. Come the cold weather, Dawson will be at the Wilmot Tubing Hill!

JEFFREY DUBOIS as Freddie TrumperJeffrey has been performing in shows at PML Theatre for a few years. Some of his more prominent roles include Romeo in THE PEOPLE vs FRIAR LAURENCE and Inspector Kemp in YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN, and he is excited to be playing the charismatic, enigmatic, systematic, American Chess champion Freddie Trumper! He is here, and he is ready to stomp some commies! He wants to thank his family and theatre folks for their continued love and support!

TRISH JANSTA, Ensemble, ReporterTrish is thrilled to be a part of the amazing musical, CHESS! She has been performing at PM&L since 1991. Her favorite roles are SHIRLEY VALENTINE, Hannah (SPITFIRE GRILL), Katie O’Rourke (MEET ME IN ST LOUIS), and Mother (SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE). Trish enjoys designing costumes and did so most recently for PIRATES OF PENZANCE. She is happy to share this stage with her husband Fran. “Love to all our Kids, Grandkids and GG.”

MICHAEL METCALF as Anatoly SergievskyMichael is thrilled to be in PM&L’s production of CHESS, one of his all time favorite musicals. Other work, WSR: ALL SHOOK UP, ADDAM’S FAMILY; Brightside Theatre: JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT. Training: AMDA, New York. Michael would like to thank everyone who continues to support him in following his dreams.

CHESS Cast Profiles

MICHELE MacLENNAN, Ensemble, CIA agentMichele is excited to be back on the PM&L stage! Some of her favorite parts have been Fiona in SHREK THE MUSICAL, Mrs Webb in OUR TOWN, and Lady Larkin in ONCE UPON A MATTRESS. Thanks to Dave and the kids for your love and

support. “Karen - we finally got to do a show together!!”

KAREN OSBORNE, Ensemble, Reporter, DancerThis is Karen’s first musical with PM&L and she couldn’t be more excited! Her last role was Grace in the musical ANNIE almost ten

years ago. She has been singing for over 20 years and is excited to dust off her acting shoes! Karen is a military wife, married to a Navy

chaplain, mother of two teenagers, and a preschool teacher for 3 and 4 yr olds. She also shares her love of baking and cooking by teaching a cooking class to children. She and her family reside in Lindenhurst.

SUSIE PERKOWITZ, Ensemble, Reporter, DancerSusie is thrilled to be in her first PM&L production! Recent credits at other area theatres: THE PRODUCERS, THE SCARLET PIMPERNEL IN CONCERT AT LINCOLN CENTER, SOUTH PACIFIC, BACK TO THE THEATRE, ANYTHING GOES, BUSYTOWN, INTO THE WOODS, ANGEL DOWN AT LOVE, BRIGADOON, SHORT STORY THEATRE, and A CHRISTMAS CAROL. Susie also narrates original bedtime stories for children (www.AhwayIsland.com).

FRAN JANSTA, Ensemble, Father, ReporterFran last appeared in THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE and recently

directed COMPANY. Also at PM&L he’s performed and directed a one-man show EINSTEIN and directed his wife Trish in her one-woman show SHIRLEY VALENTINE. Favorite roles include Fagin in OLIVER!, Henry Higgins in MY FAIR LADY, John Dickenson in 1776, and Dr. van Helsing in two versions of DRACULA. He has

served PM&L as Treasurer and twice as President.

MATTHEW J. LEPTICH as Walter AndersonActor/improvisor & singer/songwriter, Matthew is excited to be a part of this incredible musical and working with this amazing cast and crew. Most recently he played Dr. David Mortimore in IT RUNS IN THE FAMILY, directed by Jim Behr, here at PM&L. Matthew has trained and performed at Chicago’s iO theater. He is married and has four children.

SEAN WALKER as The Arbiter (Weekend 2)Sean is pleased to participate in his third production at PM&L, after playing in the ensemble for JOSEPH... and Mr. Darcy in PRIDE AND PREJUDICE. Sean is married to the lovely and endlessly talented Colleen, and they have one daughter and three sons. Sean is the pastor at Chapel on the Hill in Lake Geneva, where Colleen leads a Christian theatre ministry.

CHESS Cast Profiles

MONICA STARK, Ensemble, Reporter, DancerMonica is thrilled to be returning to PM&L for show number

four! Previous PM&L credits include MAN OF LA MANCHA, ALMOST, MAINE, and URINETOWN. Other recent credits

include THE COMEDY OF ROMEO AND JULIET…KINDA SORTA with Lakeside Players, BLACK COMEDY with Kirk Players,

and completing her third season performing with the Bristol Renaissance Faire.

JULIAN WILKERSON, Ensemble, AmericanJulian is excited to be in his third muscial at PM&L. After playing Bobby in URINETOWN THE MUSICAL and being a

part of THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE as a pirate and a cop, he has been itching to sing on stage again. He thanks his

family and friends for their continued support, and his directors for the opportunities.

CONNIE WURSTER, Ensemble, Diplomat, DancerConnie has been involved in many shows and in many capacities here at PM&L. She is particulary grateful for the community portion of community theatre. PM&L is her home away from home and its volunteers are her family away from family. She thanks you and her family for all their support.

HILARY SCHNEIDER, Ensemble, Arbiter Asst., DancerFresh off stage-managing for IT RUNS IN THE FAMILY, Hilary is thrilled to be part of a completely different production! She loves the music and the show, and hopes it is enjoyed by you, the audience, as well. You may have met Hilary in her capacity as tour guide to guests visiting this venue through Village of Antioch and Chamber events. Have a great time!

REBECCA ZELLAR as Florence VassyRebecca has been a member of PM&L Theatre since 2011 and acts (COMPANY, SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE, and ASSASSINS),

directs (THE SECRET GARDEN and A CHRISTMAS CAROL), and serves on the board as VP of Marketing. She has a BA in Theatre from

Michigan State University and ran a nonprofit theatre company in Chicago (GreyZelda) with her husband. Love to Chris (the guitarist) and Clara (the coolest). Thank you to the cast and crew of CHESS!

KEVIN POLLACK as the Arbiter (Weekends 1 & 3)Kevin is excited to be making his PM&L Theatre debut. Past credits include Franklin Hart, Jr. in 9 TO 5 (Big Noise Theatre), Audrey 2 in

LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS (Deerfield Family Theatre/Woodstock Opera House), Roger Ebert in THE BLACK/WHITE LOVE PLAY and Joe Cocker in MEN OF SOUL (Black Ensemble Theatre). Most of the year Kevin can be seen as Joliet Jake in The Blooze Brothers, the #1 Blues Brothers tribute

in the Midwest. He also has a hit single and award-winning music video “Man About Town” and his latest single “Holiday.”