The GhostLight Theatre finishes its 2025 Summer Theatre Season with the epic 1980s-era musical CHESS, with a book by Richard Nelson, Lyrics by Tim Rice, and music by Bjorn Ulvaeus and Benny Anderson (from the band ABBA). Directed by Artistic Director Paul Mow, with choreography by Paige Mulick, CHESS marks the 5th production of The GhostLight Theatre’s 6th season, and it will be presented in the GhostLight’s Black Box Theatre space from Thursday, August 14th through Sunday, August 24th. On Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, curtain is at 7:30 p.m. and on Sunday at 3 p.m. at 101 Hinkley Street in Benton Harbor. General Admission tickets are $32, $25 for seniors, and $20 for students aged 18 and under.
Chess explores the high-stakes world of Cold War politics, international intrigue, and emotional conflict — all set against the backdrop of a global chess championship. Rarely performed due to its complexity and ambitious score, Chess offers a unique opportunity for audiences to experience a musical that is as intellectually rich as it is emotionally powerful. With music by ABBA’s Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus and lyrics by Tim Rice, Chess has long been recognized as a work that challenges performers and captivates audiences as well.
“This is not a show many smaller theatre companies attempt, and that’s part of why we’re doing it,” said Paul Mow, GhostLight’s Artistic Director. “Chess demands a level of vocal, dramatic, and musical precision that matches the kind of talent we’ve been fortunate to attract over our first few years here in Southwest Michigan. We believe our audiences are ready for something bold and musically riveting.”
Featuring a standout cast led by Dan Maxon as Anatoly, Julie Peterson as Florence, Michael FInchum as Freddie, & Kate Louise Acosta and Svetlana. Jarad Medukas as Molokov, Lane Alsup as Gregor Vassy, Michael Riggenbach as Walter and Jon Clough as The Arbiter round out the cast of principals. Rounding out the talented ensemble is Laura Chaddock, Nora Clements, Sam Donoho, Kenzie Knudson, Amelia Lifferth, Seth Martin, Kate Mosher, Laura Neuroth, Sofia Pate, Zach Puplis, Eric Walsworth, Gabe Wright, & Triss Wright.
In addition to stage direction by Paul Mow, the design team consists of Paige Mulick as Choreographer; Gabriel Palacios, Music Director; Lindsay Gilmore-Gaspari, Assistant Director; Anastasia Field, Stage Manager; Kasey Wolfgang, Costume Designer; Collin Wagner, Lighting Designer; Marc VanGilder, Sound Engineer; and John Taylor/Andy Sawyer/Paul Mow/Collin Wagner have teamed up for the Set Design. The Chess Orchestra Band will feature live musicians Gabriel Palacios (Keyboard 1), Eleanor Joyce (Keyboard 2), Seth Martin and Burke Lokey (Violin), Eric Walsworth (Cello), Ben Cripe (Guitar), Emily Mikel Rowe & Jason Gresl (Reeds), Ivan Torres (Bass), and Carolyn Lyons Murray (percussion).
*CHESS contains some mature themes and explicit language and is suggested only for ages 11+ unless accompanied by an adult
Tickets can be reserved via online purchase at www.GhostLightBH.com or at https://events.humanitix.com/
CHESS run time is Approximately 2 hours 30 minutes with one 15-minute intermission.
Season Sponsors include Chicago Records Management and On Base Productions, as well as show sponsors for CHESS Timothy’s Restaurant, CIA Insurance, Bern Schwartz, Tom Ives & The Mosher Family
In addition to CHESS, the GhostLight Theatre mainstage season consists of two additional 2025 productions:
• The Rocky Horror Show Musical – directed by Paul Mow/Paige Mulick - October 30- November 2
• The Thanksgiving Play – a play by Larissa Fasthorse – directed by Michael Herman - November 13-23
Tickets range from $20-$32 and can be purchased at https://www.ghostlightbh.com/
2-person VIP tables are also available in limited quantity for a $40 additional add on. Tickets for the April 18th production at the Acorn can be purchased via their website at https://www.acornlive.org/
Show Sponsorship information is available at: https://www.ghostlightbh.com/
“One of the best rock scores ever produced. This is an angry, difficult, demanding and rewarding show.” – TIME
“A genuinely fantastic score, perhaps one of the few musicals between West Side Story and Hamilton to meaningfully sound like a worthwhile product of the popular music of its day. ‘I Know Him So Well’ and ‘One Night In Bangkok’ were actual pop hits, and the other songs are... all pulsing synths and hummable ballads.” – TimeOut New York
“Consistently entertaining... sumptuous arrangements and robust musical set-pieces abound... these effervescent pageant numbers are great mood-lifters.” – The Hollywood Reporter
“A checkmate... The ancient game of chess is the game of choice for the leading characters, it also serves as a metaphor for the U.S. versus U.S.S.R. in 1980 – a cat and mouse game of strategic moves and gambits.” – DC Theatre Scene
“A show with a solid, even wonderfully old-fashioned story that still has a bittersweet, rough-edged view of the world… exciting, dynamic theater… a match of wit and passion.” – Providence Journal
