The cast and crew of “Chess,” the SF State theatre department’s first main-stage musical during the fall semester, are gaming up for opening night on Nov. 14. “Chess” tells the story of the 1972 World Chess Championship between Russian Boris Spassky and American Bobby Fischer. Through a game of chess, the production mirrors the tension of the Cold War.

“The piece is loosely based on the chess match, with an added love interest and some drama,” said actor Stephen Brookins.

Interwoven into the main theme of Soviet-American tension in “Chess,” is a love triangle between the two male opponents, Anatole and Freddie, and Freddie's former lover, Florence, whom he brings to the chess tournament. The music in “Chess” is written by Bjorn Uluques and Benny Andersson, former members of the Sweedish pop group Abba, and the lyrics are written by Tim Rice.

The cast of “Chess” has been rehearsing five days a week since mid-September under the direction of Theatre Arts Professor Barbara Damashek. The production’s rehearsal time is a few weeks shorter than most SF State musicals because of scheduling conflicts with other theatre department productions. “The short rehearsal process has been a challenge for everyone involved,” Brookins said.

Some of the parts of the musical were double-cast due to the piece’s demanding vocal requirements. The amount of singing and range of vocal expectations for some of the parts is nearly impossible for one actor to do for seven full performances. “We double cast some parts to save our actor’s voices,” Damashek said. “The vocal range expected of some of the main characters is galactic.”

In addition to learning song lyrics and dance choreography, the cast had to learn a lot about the game of chess throughout the rehearsal process. Many of the actors even found themselves playing a game or two during their down-time. “I think we’ve created a lot of new chess players in the theatre department,” Damashek said.

Almost all aspects of the production, even the behind the scenes work, are done by students in the department. The dance and fight choreography is student-directed and the sets are designed and built by students, also. “The imaginations of students compensate for the lack of financial resources the department has,” Damashek said.

The “Chess” crew spent last week doing tech rehearsals, which brought together all the elements of the stage production, including lights, sound and sets. “Tech week is always good to work on the technical kinks, the final details, and the finishing touches,” said actor Matt Vaughan.

After all their hard work, the “Chess” cast is eagerly awaiting opening night. On Monday, dress rehearsals began in preparation for its first official show that begins tomorrow. “I’m looking forward to it,” Vaughan said. “I love doing musicals, they’re my passion.”

Brookins, who plays the lead role of American chess player Freddie, is equally anticipating performing for a live audience. “I’m extremely excited,” Brookins said. “This is the biggest role I’ve had in my decade of acting.”

“Chess” will run Nov.14, 15, 20, 21, and 22 at 8 p.m. and Nov. 16 and 22 at 2 p.m. in the Little Theater in the Creative Arts building. Tickets are $20 regular price and $15 for students and seniors. The theatre arts box office opens one hour prior to each performance.