CHESS AIDS Benefit  (Hollywood's Ford Amphitheatre, 17. Sept. 2007)

A one-night-only benefit production of Chess-Musical, raising money for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, played at the Ford Amphitheatre in Los Angeles September 17, 2007 with a star-studded cast and multimedia heavy design.

" ....Those who attended Chess benefit (in Los Angeles) for Broadway Cares Equity Fights AIDS expecting “just a concert” were in for a dazzling surprise. What had been advertised as “Chess in Concert” turned out to be a fully staged, fully choreographed, fully off-book production of the 80s Broadway hit. And what a production it was!
Tom Schmid (Walter) and Thomas Ian Griffith (Molokov) did fine work as well, and were in fine voice."
(Sheryl Mandel)

"Early and Griffith were superb..."

"Bravo to the cast and creative team."

"As an interesting aside, Svetlana, Anatoly, and Molokov all sported Russian accents, even in singing."

"SO AWESOME. Will this production go on tour? This show needs to be seen."
"Phenomenal event. What theatre is all about. Surperb talent."

  
click to enlarge

Castmembers actors Thomas Ian Griffith and Tom Schmid during the party for the benefit performance of "Chess the Musical" held at the John Anson Ford Amphitheatre on September 17, 2007 in Hollywood, California

  

   Thomas with Mary Page Keller, Julie Ann Emery and Kevin Earley

"Camelot" as Sir Dinadan
(green suit)
(Hollywood Bowl, August 2005)

    links:
    Review of Camelot
    www.calendarlive.com/

"As three faithful knights who attempt to vanquish Lancelot at the queen's request, Kevin Earley, Thomas Ian Griffith and Anthony Meindl sang splendidly and brought vigorous comedic energy to their parts." (Variety Review, Aug, 14, 2005)

Review of Camelot with pics
www.hollywoodbowl.com

I'm Getting My Act Together as Joe
(The Freud Playhouse, 2004)

"Director Kay Cole has made a conscious and clever choice. In the original, Joe was a harsher figure, a manager type who embodied every unflattering stereotype. Cole has guided Griffith into a more subtle and affecting interp that shows the character's practical side but also genuine caring for his client. Griffith's shaded portrait adds poignancy to all his skirmishes with Heather." (Variety, 27. Jan. 04)

Gianni Schicchi
(USC Opera)
 

Guys and Dolls
(The Guthrie Theatre, ca. 1984?)
 

Threepenny Opera
(The Guthrie Theatre, 1983 (?))
 

   The First
   (Broadway)
 

The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas
(Broadway, 1979)
 

In 1776 as Thomas Jefferson
(The Freud Playhouse, 2001)

     Links:
   Thomas Jefferson

   
                                                                                             Camelot