25th annual spelling bee revival?

[The Lion Roars]

Posted: 9/10/18 at 8:50pm

Will we see one?

[dramamama611]

Posted: 9/10/18 at 8:52pm

Prolly.

[Bwayfan292]

Posted: 9/10/18 at 8:54pm

Yeah. I dont think anytime soon, was the original production well recieved?

[JBroadway]

Posted: 9/10/18 at 9:25pm

Someone else on this message board came up with the following idea (my apologies - I don’t remember who), AND I’ve already reiterated the idea in several other threads, but I’m going to keep putting it out there’s until it happens:

I really want a revival of Spelling Bee where every few months they re-cast the role of Panch with a different celebrity comedian. I think it would be brilliant.

[BroadwayConcierge]

Posted: 9/10/18 at 9:53pm

JBroadway said: "Someone else on this message board came up with the following idea (my apologies - I don’t remember who)"

It was me.

But yes, I absolutely adore this show, and would love to have it back. I think of it as a perfect little jewel of razor-sharp comedy with immense heart. 

[bwaylinds]

Posted: 9/10/18 at 10:15pm

I always loved the 18+ "Adult Productions" of Spelling Bee and would love to see one in an Off-Off Broadway Theatre. Spelling Bee needs a more intimate setting in order for it to succeed in my opinion. Any Broadway theatre is too big IMO.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 9/10/18 at 10:36pm

It was great at Circle in the Square...not too big at all.

[TheSassySam]

Posted: 9/10/18 at 10:44pm

I can imagine a 2030 Encores! production for the.. well, 25th anniversary. 

[GeorgeandDot]

Posted: 9/10/18 at 10:44pm

The original production was phenomenal. I do agree that this would be perfect in an Off Broadway house, as would Little Shop of Horrors. I would welcome a revival, but I feel like it's nearly impossible to replace those original performances.

[AEA AGMA SM]

Posted: 9/10/18 at 11:18pm

Bwayfan292 said: "Yeah. I dont think anytime soon, was the original production well recieved?"

The original production ran for over 2.5 years, racking up over 1100 performances (which I believe is the long-run record for Circle in the Square). Even without the Tony win it spent much of its first summer completely sold out and pulling in over 100% of its gross potential. The show certainly did well enough with both audiences and critics during its Broadway run, and has had a fairly healthy life regionally. It's only a matter of time before someone does try to bring it back hoping to replicate the success of that original run.

[Bwayfan292]

Posted: 9/10/18 at 11:22pm

The cast recording brings me such joy, I would love to see it in person. And wow! It did pretty good