The Binghamton University Department of Theatre presents Chess, a Cold War-era rock musical that transforms the chessboard into a battlefield of hearts and ideologies.

Featuring the iconic music of Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus of ABBA fame, with lyrics by the legendary Tim Rice, this electrifying production is Directed and Choreographed by Chaz Wolcott and Music Directed by Melissa Yanchak & Madeline Harts.

Performance Dates: April 24 through May 3, 2026
Location: Binghamton University Department of Theatre

Step into the high-stakes world of international chess where grandmaster Freddie Trumper, America's volatile champion, faces off against Anatoly Sergievsky, his brilliant Soviet counterpart. Caught in the crossfire of their fierce rivalry is Florence Vassy, a Hungarian-American assistant with her own haunted past and divided loyalties. As these three brilliant minds converge at the World Chess Championship, the line between patriotism and passion blurs, threatening to topple kings both on and off the board.

With a powerhouse rock score that pulses with anthems of ambition and ballads of longing, Chess weaves a sophisticated tale of political intrigue and intimate human drama. Witness a story where every gambit risks not just victory, but identity itself, and where the greatest sacrifices are made not for country, but for love.