LIFE ON THE CIRCUIT : ‘Chess’ Gains Advantage With Arts Center Fans

One Night in Birraporetti’s Cast and crew and a hundred-odd locals gathered at Birraporetti’s bistro-in-the-mall Tuesday after the opening night performance of “Chess”--the touring production of a musical that came to Orange County after a long run in London and about 10 minutes on Broadway in ’88. The Performing Arts Center shows (ending Sunday) are the last stop on the company’s five-month road trip. The actor/singer/dancers showed up to party early--the first to hit the buffet, Tom Flynn, was munching pizza 20 minutes after the curtain dropped--and stayed late. Most of the Arts Center somebodies (schmoozing by invitation only) had cleared out by midnight. Chess Mates The show features a love triangle (lyrics by Andrew Lloyd Webber ex-collaborator Tim Rice; music--including the chart-climber, “One Night in Bangkok”--by two members of the Swedish group ABBA). Yes, it’s about a championship match between a Soviet and an American, but other games dominate the stage.

Will the beautiful Hungarian emigre end up with dark, brooding Anatoly or surfer-blond Freddie? East or West for Florence’s love-torn heart?

“Of course, she should be with the American,” said Connie Quarre of Newport Beach, who sat at a table with her friend Janell Berte and let the party swirl past. “I’m an American girl,” Quarre declaimed, “and you have to root for the U.S.A.”

Others--the clear majority--swooned for the Sov.

“I wanted her to go with the Russian,” said Hinda Beral of Newport Beach as she and her husband, Hal, scanned the crowd for the stars. “I’m a romantic.”

“The Russian,” said Ed Stanton of Laguna Niguel, an opinion seconded by his wife, Rose. “He was very appealing,” she noted.

“Oh the Russian! “ said Mary Ellen Rourke, purring. “You know how we (women) are.” Making Moves The usual flurry and fuss accompanied the arrival of the show’s stars, including an especially giddy buzz encasing Carolee Carmello, who plays Florence, the glasnost gal. Accepting praise and posing for pictures, Carmello, in a skimpy pink silk slip of a dress, said she found the opening night audience “very receptive.”

Over at the bar with a beer in his hand, Stephen Bogardus, who plays the American chess king, cracked a big smile at mention of the audience.

“Amazing,” he reported. “I was backstage (between scenes) listening to them, and I thought, ‘I guess Republicans really like this stuff.’ ”

Actor Flynn--a Corona del Mar high school grad (‘76), who has a bit part as a Soviet sidekick--noted the show’s mixed reviews. “After what we’ve been through, (the audience was) incredible tonight.”

(Where’s the Russian? rubbernecks wanted to know. Alas, actor John Herrera was a no-show.) Boffo Buffet Restaurant specialties dished up in generous helpings included lasagna, fettucini primavera, linguini with sausage and peppers, assorted pizzas, tossed salad and fresh fruit. Dolores Aleccia, Birraporetti’s banquet director, sliced and served a chocolate-fudge-filled yellow cake iced with checkerboard squares. Champagne and liqueur concoctions were offered at the door, but many guests and most of the cast ordered from the open bar. Quote The sartorial stand-out of the night was actor Ken Ard, the musical’s “Arbiter” character, who wore a military-cut black jacket, black baggie shorts, black garters supporting black socks descending into black army boots.

“I am the first person who has done this,” said Ard, thrusting a gartered leg for inspection. “When Janet Jackson and Paula Abdul and all of them start wearing garters and Army boots, I want everyone to know I did it first! I made it up!”