David Carroll '72 is "Chess" Star

Because of an Equity ruling, actor David Carroll '72 was known as David-James Carroll during his first few years in the profession there was already another actor using "his" name. But ever since graduation this talented actor-singer has worked regularly in theater, television, and film. Now, as David Carroll, he won a Tony-award nomination for his performance in the Broadway musical Chess, and it looks as though he will be in demand for a long time to come.

The advance sale for Chess was a respectable $4 million, but reviews for the musical itself were a bit mixed though not for David and his coleads. The New Yorker said, "The acting of the three principals... is of a strength that goes beyond musical comedy, and their singing... is

pretty wonderful, too." Time also praised "three superb leading performances by actors willing to be complex and unlikable... This is an angry, difficult, demanding and rewarding show, one that pushes the boundaries of the form."

David Carroll was a drama major at the College, a member of the Players and of Kappa Kappa Kappa, and a Tucker Foundation intern. He was an early member of the Summer Repertory Company and also found time to earn his D in swimming. But it's been all show biz ever since.

He was Joseph in Joseph and theAmazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. He played opposite Debby Boone in Seven Brides for Seven Brothers and sung Rodolfo to Linda Ronstadt's Mimi in the New York Shakespeare Festival production of La Boheme. That won him a Drama Desk nomination. He also played Rat opposite Toad in the short-lived musical version of Wind in the Willows.

As for television, David has done guest shots on such series as "The Rockford Files" and "Knot's Landing." And in the estimable "Ball Four" David played the rookie pitcher.

Chess features an international love triangle, with two grandmasters competingfor the same girl during an internationalmatch. David Carroll is Anatoly, theRussian, Judy Kuhn the love-interest.