Spelling Bee: NYC vs. Boston

[hellostar]

Posted: 12/11/06 at 11:17pm

i've seen 'spelling bee' on broadway but i'm thinking about seeing it in boston...

for those of you who have seen both: is it a good idea to see the boston cast? i don't want to be disappointed; i loved the show when i saw it in new york.

Updated On: 12/11/06 at 11:17 PM

[shesamarshmallow]

Posted: 12/11/06 at 11:27pm

They were great in SF!

[mrs felciano]

Posted: 12/11/06 at 11:36pm

I loved the Boston production. They have cheap $25 seats if you're worried about wasting money. I haven't seen the NYC cast but I really did like the Boston cast.

[liotte]

Posted: 12/11/06 at 11:44pm

They are both great! I am extremely partial to the New York cast, but the Boston cast was phenomenal, they were all super nice and I got to chat with almost everyone, and I hope I can see them again!

The NY show I see almost weekly, I love it and recommend it to everyone. This cast has some of my favorite people in it.

You really can't go wrong with either one.

I have also seen the show on Tour, and in Chicago a few times. It's great everywhere!
Updated On: 12/11/06 at 11:44 PM

[forgetregret]

Posted: 12/11/06 at 11:45pm

I've seen both and I love both, although in my opinion there's no contest in terms of which cast is better- and that's the OBC. But I still really enjoyed seeing it in Boston and I don't think you'd be disappointed. There are a couple of really strong cast members... Jenni Barber (Olive) and Sara Inbar (Logainne) are my favorites.

[ElphabaRose]

Posted: 12/12/06 at 12:11am

I've seen it both places and the different casts have their merits. Jared Gertner is by far the best Barfee I've seen and Jenni Barber actually edged out Celia as my favorite Olive.

[misto625]

Posted: 12/12/06 at 12:49am

I'm suprised no one has mentioned my personal favorite yet- Stanley Bahorek as Leaf!

[yellibean2]

Posted: 12/15/06 at 4:31pm

it's DEFINITELY a good idea. You have not lived yet if you haven't seen the Boston cast.

And of course, Stanley =D

[crzyrocket]

Posted: 12/16/06 at 12:15am

Bumping this to say that tonight, the speller spelled "cow" wrong.

And where is Betsy Wolfe? She was out tonight. I hope she's well.

[timote316]

Posted: 12/16/06 at 12:18am

She was out last night too. I saw in the casting announcement for the new musical Ace in San Diego that she is in the ensemble... maybe rehearsals for that has begun? I can't say I was terribly impressed with her understudy...

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 12/16/06 at 12:25am

How is Elsa Carmona as Rona?

[FinallyAmember]

Posted: 12/16/06 at 1:39am

Persoanlly, I think Rona was great! I loved her voice. She has a great instrument. Sometimes she gave me chills. I can't exactly remember any specific points because I do not know the show that well. She was also funny - which isn't surprising since the show is just THAT good. But it takes talent to deliver it anyways.

EDIT - eek I was commenting on Betsy's performance... I need to read more carefully... however i'll keep this review of her performance just incase anyone cares Updated On: 12/16/06 at 01:39 AM

[timote316]

Posted: 12/16/06 at 1:59am

As I said, I wasn't impressed with Elsa. I wouldn't say she was bad, but she was the weakest in the cast. I don't know if she was having an off day or maybe the beginnings of a cold or whatnot, but her voice cracked a few times in the performance. Her comedic timing was also inconsistent.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 12/16/06 at 2:16am

Interesting! I saw Elsa as Olive once, and she was fine, but didn't blow me away. A very different Olive than I was used to; really made me curious about her as Rona.

[catharsis]

Posted: 12/16/06 at 9:52am

I saw it last night, and I thought Elsa was okay. Although I prefer Betsy Wolfe in the role, Elsa did a good job. However, some of the spellers were taller than her, which seemed a little odd.

The guy spelling "cow" wrong...that was pretty funny. A few of the cast members looked rather amused.

It was a fun night, and I was Marigold.

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 12/16/06 at 10:22am

How did the person spell cow...kow? How can someone get it wrong? Is it rigged for them to spell certain words wrong?

[catharsis]

Posted: 12/16/06 at 10:45am

He started 'cow' with an 'o.' He went "..o..w..C-o-w."

It's not rigged for them to get the real words wrong, but they use fake words to eliminate some of the spellers.

[crzyrocket]

Posted: 12/16/06 at 10:48am

I think the speller was thinking about it too much, he started off with an "o" and then realized his mistake.

Elsa is decent, but I think we've been spoiled by Betsy Wolfe. Elsa's Rona is much more serious and more matronly. I think it plays better having a quirky Rona, who's may be an adult figure, but still has a childish innocence about her. And yes, Betsy Wolfe has a gorgeous, gorgeous voice.

[catharsis]

Posted: 12/17/06 at 1:15pm

I just got my ticket for the final performance of the Boston Bee!

Anyone else going?

[yellibean2]

Posted: 12/17/06 at 3:07pm

I'm going. But it still makes me sad just thinking about it. It's been a great three months, but I guess all good things must come to an end. Plus we were lucky to get them for as long as we did (especially compared to the fact that the tour only stays a week in each city).

[Raviolisun]

Posted: 12/17/06 at 3:33pm

Have fun. :]

I think they should just transfer the Boston cast to Broadway.

[crzyrocket]

Posted: 12/17/06 at 7:15pm

I'm expecting full reports on the last performance! Can you believe that I, of all people, can't make it?

Last night was my very last time seeing the show. The audience was very energetic, and it was a great show all around. Unfortunately, Betsy Wolfe was still out. Elsa is getting more relaxed as Peretti, so perhaps it was just nerves the beginning of the week.