The Berkshire Eagle from Pittsfield, Massachusetts • 6

The BlfiSliife Eagla ENTERTAINMENT Friday, January 1, 1988 Page A6 A 'Chess 9 musical's opening i one iiew cnecKmawa By Jeremy Gerard 1987 New York Times News Service Nunn, who could not be reached for comment, is one of the busiest directors in the industry. A dispute emerged over whether the show would try out on the road before coming to New York, or open Broadway as it had in London. "Trevor Nunn was happy to have a longer rehearsal in New York and open there," Rice said. however, wanted "Chess" to have an out-of-town tryout, preferably at the National Theater in Washington, which it runs. "I would have been happy with an out-of-town tryout or not," Rice said.

A changing political climate has affected the show's fortunes. NEW YORK The British and American producers of the musical "Chess" have postponed indefinitely an American production Of the show, leaving in question when and if the musical will open in New "York. "I think it will open, and I hope it will open, because it's a terrific show," Tyler Gatchell, an executive producer and the general manager of the production, said Wednesday. Last week Gerald Schoenfeld, president of the Shubert Organization, said that rehearsals for the Broadway production would begin in early February. On Wednesday, however, the producers Three Knights Shubert and Robert Fox Ltd.

together cited "insurmountable scheduling difficulties" as the reason for the postponement. "It's nothing superdramatic," Tim Rice, the lyricist and a producer of the show, said of the decision to postpone in a telephone conversation from London. "We were keen to get it in this season, but we were cutting it a little fine." Rice said the primary obstacles to a spring opening were construction of the set and fitting the rehearsal period to "the schedule of the show director, Trevor Nunn. Trouble all along -'7 0 x.v 1 i 1 U-J EddieMurphyC a film gold mine By Vernon Scott 13S4 original has absolutely no HOLLYWOOD Eddie chance to win any of the golden Murphy is the hottest star burning statuettes in April, in filmdom today, with his three The truth is no comedy has won flicks in 1987 grossing an incredible the Oscar for best picture since $256 million. "Annie Hall" a decade ago.

"Beverly- Hills Cop II" at year's Although 1987 set a new box-office end had grossed $153.6 million; record for movie grosses of some "The Golden Child" amassed $79.8 $4.2 billion, it was not a banner year million and "Raw" grossed $22.1 for Academy Award prospects. million in its first two weeks: There was np single film clearly Murphy also had the distinction of favored to come away with the Os- starring in the No. 1 and No. 4 top-, car for best picture of the year, nor grossing pictures in a single year, were there any performances an astonishing feat stamped with Academy" Award dis- Both "Beverly Hills Cop IV and tinction among box-office hits. "The Golden Child" were critically Since Jan.

1, 1987, the second panned but nonetheless attracted most popular domestic box-office enormous business. "Raw," film was "Platoon," which won the Murphy's film version of his scat- Academy Award for best picture in alogical nightclub act, not 1986, but earned most of its $137.9 reach the astronomical grosses of million during 1987. the other two films, but it should Both of the year's top box-office assure him 6fboxcar salaries in attractions are no longer showing. 1988. "Fatal Attraction," still being Murphy has surpassed both Syl- exhibited in more than 1,000 thea- vester Stallone and Clint Eastwood is one of Ihe few' as the property in the film pictures with a good chance to land business.

several Oscar nominations. The comedian has been a golden It was the only picture, aside goose for Paramount Studios, which from "Beverly Hills Cop II" and laced four filrrfs of the top five "Platoon," to crack the $100 million omestic box-office grossing pic-- milestone in 1987. "Fatal Attrac- tures of 1987, In addition to "Bev- tion," starring Glenn Close and Mi- erly Hills Cop II" and "The Golden chael Douglas in a stark drama of Child," the studio also released marital infidelity and the terrifying "Fatal Attraction" ($123.5 million at amassed $123.5 mil- year's end) and "The Untoucha- lion. 4bles" ($76.2 million). Its closest competition for Oscar Oscars unlikely nominations among boxffice win- ners will most likely be "Broadcast While Paramount may cele- a devastating insider ex- brating, it still isn't expecting any amination of the inner workings of of Murphy's films to win the Oscar network newscasters and the people for best picture, X.

who write and produce the 7 o'clock Despite the fact that "Beverly news. Hills Cop II" won the dollar race, "Broadcast News," brilliantly the. sequel to the enormously popu- directed by James L. Brooks and The year's top 15 According to the Hollywood Reporter trade paper, these were the top 15 box-office movies of the past year: 1. "Beverly Hills Cop II" million 2.

$137.9 million 3. "Fatal $123.5 million 4. "The Golden $79.8 million 5. "The Untouchables' $76.2 million 6. "The Secret of My $67 million 7.

"Stakeout" million 8. "Lethal Weapon" ,1: $65.1 million 9. "The Witches of Eastwick" $63.7 million 10. "Three Men and a Baby" $59.9 million 11. "Dragnet" $57.2 million 12.

"Predator" million 13. "La Bamba" $54.2 million V. Dancing" $53.5 million i $53.4 million Drug abuse revealed A changing political climate, also, has affected ther show's fortunes. A musical about a match between an American and a Soviet champion, "Chess" in London reflects a cold war sensibility that has lost some resonance in, the age of glasnost and the nuclear arms treaty. Rice acknowledged that that was one of the considerations in rewriting the book.

"It was my belief all along," he said, "that for Broadway we should play down the politics." Although disappointing for Rice, the postponement of the show was good news for the producers of "Cab- aret," which is running at the Imperial Theater, where Shubert wanted to house "Chess." The revival of" "Cabaret" has done strong business since opening in October. Barry Weissler, co-producer with Fran Weissler of that show, said that there had been some discussion of moving "Cabaret" to another theater if "Chess" were brought in, but that his understanding with Shubert was that "Cabaret" "would stay as long as business is good." That understanding was shaken when Shubert suggested that "Chess" might open in the early spring. Weissler added that at no time did he think his show was in danger. "They have been straight, forthcoming and truthful," he said of the theater owners. marks Rice's first venture in producing.

"I would like to have come in nine months ago," he said of the American production. With vague talk of a fall 1988 production, he must now consider the possibility of finding new director if Nunn is not available. "Obviously, I'm disappointed," Rice said, "In ret-y rospect, I think the less people you get involved, the better. The barrier of the Atlantic has not been conducive to doing the show." From the outset, -however, "Chess" has been running in London since May 1986' has had trouble getting to Broadway. It is Rice's first show since he and the composer Andrew Lloyd Webber went their separate ways after "Evita," in 1979.

1 In addition to the lyricsrRice wrote the original book for to music by two Swedish composers, Bjorn Ulvaeas and Benny Andersson. The three also formed a partnership, Three Knights to co- Eroduce the show. ''Chess" has almost repaid its ondon investment: The original director, Michael Bennett, withdrew because of illness after several months of work on the London production. Bennett died in July. Nunn, who was co-directing the London and New York productions of "Les Miserables" and staging "Starlight Express," took over.

For the Broadway production, Rice rewrote the book with Richard Nelson and added several new songs." The show seemed to be headed for a Broadway opening this season, but the exact date had been a matter of debate for more than a year. Rice acknowledged that while coordinating the British, Swedish and American interests in the show was a complex matter, it was nothing compared with fitting the director's schedule to a Broadway timetable. Eddie Murphy in "Raw" starring William Hurt, Holly Hunter and Albert. Brooks, earned $5.4 million in its opening week during the Christmas holiday and promised to become one of 1988's major box-- office attractions. The rest of the class of 1987 big box-office films leave something to be desired in the Oscar race.

Movie Schedules Cinema Center Wall Street (R); Broadcast News (R); Pinocchio and the Emperor of the Night (G) Overboard (PG); Raw (If); Nuts Batteries Not Included (PG); Leonard Part 6 (PG); Throw Momma From'the Train (PG-13); Three Men and a Baby (PG); Planes, Trains and Automobiles (R); Cinderella (G); Fatal Attraction (R); Dirty Dancing (PG-13). Check ad for times. North Adams Cinema Wall Street (R) andfhree Men and a Baby (PG) 7, 9:15, mat. today, tomorrow and Sun. at 1 and Throw Momma From the Train (PG-13) 7, 9:15, mat.

today, tomorrow and Sun. at Planes, Trains and Automobiles (R) 7, 9:15, mat. today, tomorrow at Leonard Part 6 (PG) today, tomorrow and Sun. only at 3 only; Cinderella (Gl today, tomorrow and Sun. only at 1 only.

Crandell (Chatham, N.Y.) Fatal Attraction (R) 7 and 9:10, through Thurs. Images (Williamstown) Hope and Glory (PG-13) 7 and 9, through Tues. Mahaiwe (Great Barrington) Nuts (R) 7 and 9:20 tonight and tomorrow, Sun. through Thurs. at 7:30 only; Cin- derella (G) today, tomorrow and Sun.

only at 2. "wall STREET (R) Showtimes 7:00 9:15 p.m. Frl Sun. Mat, at 1 3 p.m. BROADWAY'S COMEDY SENSATION! WINNER 1986 TONY "AWARD BEST PLAY Funding seminar set TROY, Y.

The Rensselaer "County Council for the Arts will host a capital region seminar on applying for funding from the New York State Council on the Arts on Wednesday from 6 to 9 p.m. in the council's galleries at 189 Second St. THROW MAMA FROM THE TRAIN (R) Showtimes 7:00 9:1 5 p.m.' Sun. Mat, at 1 p.m. Ends Sunday LEONARD PART VI (PC) Sun.

Mat. at 3 p.m. only ITMtllTTIim THREE MEN AND A BABY (PC) Showtimes 7:00 9:15 p.m. Sun. Mat, at 1 3 p.m.

1 PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES (R) Showtimes 7:00 9:15 p.m! Sun. Mat, at 3 p.m. Ends Sunday CINDERELLA (C) in THRU THURS. 7:00 9:10 ADULT 2.00 CHILD 1 .00 MICHAEL DOUGLAS 4 GLENN CLOSE NEW YEAR'S DAY BRUNCH Our Superb buffet brunch will be the perfect start td 1988. JOIN US! Served i lAM.

5 P.M. Reservations Appreciated 445-6228 sun. Mat. at 1 p.m. Springfield Symphony Hall January 7th-8pm All Seats 17.50, 15.50 TICKETS ON SALE NOW at Ovlc Center Box Office' and all Ticketron Outlets.

PHONE CHARGE: (413) 787-6600 or (800) 382-8080 Now on Sunday: relax with Sunday Eagle! 443-3550. 7 V20 (R) THE BLARNEY ROOM IS NOW OPEN NIGHTLY WITH MUSIC VIDEOS! THIS SATURDAY NIGHT FEATURING MUSIC BY QG(3GPDD3 was completed Wednesday but a toxicology report on the cause of death was not expected for two or three weeks, officials said. Dismissed twice Pontarelli, who noted earlierthat Bissell had been dismissed from the company twice since 1980, apparently for- drug-related problems, said that during the two-year period that Bissell was required to submit to urinalysis, the tests were positive on only a "very few" occasions. He said Bissell had to pay a fine when they were, and that the dancer continued to perform regulaxljf. during that time.

Pontarelli said, however, in September the dancer was admitted to the Betty Ford Clinic in California for a month for further treatment, including an alcohol program. Kirkland, author of "Dancing On My-Grave," which chronicles her use of cocaine with Bissell, said in a statement released Wednesday that Bissell's death was "caused at least in part by the failure of the ballet world and the American Ballet Theater in particular to acknowledge and deal openly with fee drug problem." By David Holmberg 1987 Newsday NEW YORK Drug abuse by renowned dancer Patrick Bissell found dead of undetermined causes in his Hoboken, N.J., apartment Tuesday was so serious that he was required to take weekly urine tests for a two-year period-ending last summer, according to an official of the American Ballet Theater. Robert Pontarelli, a spokesman for the theater who had previously declined to discuss allegations of extensive drug use by the 30-year- old dancer, said Wednesday that Bissell was told by theater officials in ,1985 that "one of the conditions for maintaining his status with the company was a very frequent urinalysis' The-ballet company's disclosure came as former ABT dancer Gelsey Kirkland author of a 1986 autobiography disclosing extensive drug use by herself and Bissell issued a statement criticizing the theater's handling of drug abuse. Bissell's body, fully clad and with no visible markings, was found Tuesday by his fiancee, Amy Rose, also an ABT (lancer. An autopsy COUPON CHRISTMAS INN i 3 A A CHARLIE SHEEN 4 DARYL HANNAH mwu goumehawn kurt russell Five ordinary people BRQAOCACT rm She has everything needed a miracle.

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