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All photos from the London Playbill |
Second Fiddle Productions, according to the message from Ruthie Baker (Artistic Director & Founder), was created to breathe life into uncommon and rarely produced musicals. It also strives to give artists a chance to collaborate with fellow artists, go after dream roles and have input on show selection (adapted from the back of the program.) These productions are done at Camp Bar in downtown St. Paul. There is a stage, chairs, music stands, microphones and a small band - which is really all you need for a staged reading. Drinks are available through out the show, and the space is intimate and perfect.

After the Cold War ended, but while the London production was still playing, Trevor Nunn decided to revise the show for Broadway. They added some new music, some backstory and sent it out into the world...which did not care for it at all. However it did have some great performers - Judy Kuhn, David Carroll, Richard Muenz, and Jessica Molaskey were all involved. This production was revised again before it was sent on tour in 1990. I also saw this production and while I enjoyed the music, it was not a good production...despite great performers like Carolee Carmello, Gregory Jbara, and Barbara Walsh.

The cast from the Second Fiddle reading included so much amazing local talent - Ruthie Baker sang the role of Florence, while Ben Bakken killed it in the role of Freddie Trumper (what an amazing voice). Singing across from Ben was John Brink (as Anatoly) and Zoe Pappas as his wife (both previously seen at the Ordway in the Kander & Ebb Songbook). Jim Ramlet sang Molokov with a very lovely bass voice that just rang through the room. The remainder of the cast was top-notch and very comfortable with a very wordy and difficult score. It is even more proof that Second Fiddle knows exactly what it is doing and how to do it so well - even with a very limited rehearsal period. It was a joy hearing this wonderful music again, and the performances were just incredible. I will continue to attend their shows and support them in any way I can. By the way, if you still want more info about Chess, this may be the book for you.