Adam Pascal Joins Menzel and Groban in London Chess Concerts

Adam Pascal has joined the upcoming London concerts of Chess, to be held on May 12 and 13 at Royal Albert Hall. Pascal will play Frederick Trumper opposite the previously announced Josh Groban Anatoly Sergievsky and Idina Menzel Florence. Kerry Ellis, who is currently playing Elphaba in the London production of Wicked, has been cast as Svetlana. This special two-night event will be introduced by the musical's lyricist, Tim Rice.

Chess features music by ABBA's Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus also known for their international hit Mamma Mia!,lyrics by Rice and a book by Richard Nelson. The musical tells the tale of love and betrayal set against a Russian versus American chess match during the Cold War. Its score includes "One Night in Bangkok," "Heaven Help My Heart," "I Know Him So Well," "Pity the Child" and "Anthem." Although the protagonists were not intended to represent any specific individuals, the characters' personalities are loosely based on those of Victor Korchnoi and Bobby Fischer.

Pascal returned to the Broadway company of Rent last summer as Roger, the role he created in 1996 and for which he received a Best Actor Tony Award nomination. His other Broadway credits include Aida and Cabaret. Pascal sang the role of Freddie in a 2003 benefit concert at Broadway's New Amsterdam Theatre co-starring Groban and Julia Murney.