Swedish pop icons Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus reunited on Sunday night at the opening of the Broadway revival of Chess at New York’s Imperial Theatre.
The two celebrated songwriters, best known for their work with ABBA, were joined on the red carpet by Sir Tim Rice, their longtime collaborator on the Cold War-era musical.
Fashionably Dapper on the Red Carpet
Björn, 80, cut a classic figure in a tailored black suit paired with a coordinating turtleneck, while Benny, 78, added a nod to ABBA’s 70s flair by sporting a floral shirt beneath a long black coat and leather boots.
Tim Rice, 81, looked sharp in a steel grey corduroy suit and button-up shirt, perfectly complementing his co-creators’ ensemble.
A Musical with a Storied History
Chess first premiered in London’s West End in 1986, starring Elaine Paige, and ran for three years before returning in 2018.
A Broadway version debuted in 1988 but only lasted two months, making this current revival its first major return to New York in decades.
The new production stars Lea Michele, Aaron Tveit, and Nicholas Christopher, with a book by Danny Strong, who is known for writing The Hunger Games and Empire.
The musical centers on love and political intrigue during the Cold War, following two grandmasters — one American, one Soviet — and the woman who becomes entangled with both.
From ABBA to Broadway
Björn and Benny began working with Tim Rice on Chess after ABBA disbanded in 1982.
The legendary group, made up of two married couples — Björn and Agnetha Fältskog, Benny and Anni-Frid Lyngstad — rose to international fame with their 1974 Eurovision victory for “Waterloo.”
Between 1973 and 1981, ABBA released eight albums, selling an estimated 150 million to 385 million records worldwide, solidifying their status as one of the best-selling groups in history.
ABBA’s Lasting Legacy in Musical Theatre
Their music inspired the hit musical Mamma Mia in 1999, later adapted into two films — 2008’s Mamma Mia and 2018’s Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again.
ABBA reunited in 2016 to create a virtual concert experience in London, where “ABBA-tars” perform alongside a live 10-piece band using motion-capture technology from Industrial Light and Magic.
ABBA Voyage and Continued Success
The ABBA Voyage show opened in May 2022 at a custom London venue in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, featuring classics like Mamma Mia, The Winner Takes It All, and Voulez-Vous.
The concert has generated over 5,000 jobs in London and earned acclaim from fans, critics, and the band itself.
ABBA also released their first new studio album in 40 years, Voyage, which has sold over 2.5 million copies worldwide and is said to be the band’s final album.
Timeless Impact
From Eurovision glory to Broadway collaborations, ABBA’s influence stretches across decades, continents, and mediums.
Their reunion at the Chess revival serves as a reminder of the enduring appeal of their songwriting, both on stage and in popular culture worldwide.
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