Chicago Spelling Bee First Preview Review:)- Page 2

[MyMeredithMonster]

Posted: 3/31/06 at 12:54am

Yeah, it always seems to get a lot of laughter and applause here.

[liotte]

Posted: 3/31/06 at 1:00am

More reasons to go see the other productions.

[Fosse76]

Posted: 3/31/06 at 11:06am

Be that as it may, it is still extremely cheap to see this show. I am very surprised...Broadway in Chicago is notorious for overcharging.

[theatergeek2]

Posted: 3/31/06 at 11:40pm

My friend says Deborah Craig, the O Marcy improvised that line a long time ago about Jesus when it went from Robb to Jose but they wouldn't let her keep it in. "Jesus you're Asian! I knew it!"

[liotte]

Posted: 3/31/06 at 11:58pm

Just got a plane ticket to go to Chicago! So excited to see the Bee there!

[KChenowethfan]

Posted: 4/4/06 at 11:13pm

I just saw the show tonight. I am in town on business (thank you free hotel internet access in each room!) and chose Spelling Bee over a work dinner. Good decision. I have never managed to catch Bee on my visits to NY, so this was my first taste of this show, though I knew the OBCR by heart. What a charming show! Often, I generally tend to focus on shows for some deep message or meaning, given my cerebral tendencies, but this show brought me out of a very funky mood after a rotten day of work-related insanity and silliness. It put a smile on my face and made me laugh out loud. Something I rarely do, which is saying something. The only other show that has come close to doing that to me is Urinetown.

The cast seems to be in great shape even in previews. The vocal choices seem to mirror the ones found on the OBCR to some extent, though of course differences are apparent and welcome. That is the beauty of live theatre and different casts. All of the ensemble members were particularly strong acting wise. I don't think there was one weak link. It was a very cohesive ensemble.

[MagicToDo82]

Posted: 4/6/06 at 3:01pm

Hey kids. Went BACK to Spelling Bee again last night (these were the tickets I actually bought. The first preview tix that sparked this thread were a last-minute favor.) and wanted to say that there have been a few more changes made, since the show is in previews.

THERE MIGHT BE SPOILERS IN HERE - :)
SPOILER IS SUCH A RELATIVE TERM.

1. At 1st preview, Barfee had the Dan Fogler hair and button-down shirt. As of last night, he had short hair and a blue and green striped polo shirt. (the actor playing him had also - ha - forgotten to take off his wedding ring!)

2. Logan's exit has changed. At first preview, she stormed out the gymnasium doors and there was the echo of the door. Last night, the back curtain just closed on her looking really sad.

...That's all I got - but they were interesting choices.

Also, this cast really rocks. Just wanted to throw that in once again.:) I was front and center last night, and had an amazing time.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 4/6/06 at 3:54pm

Huh, that's interesting. The SF Barfee looks like a clone of Dan Fogler.

[chinkie azn jai]

Posted: 4/6/06 at 6:31pm

Has anyone tried the lottery? If so, how crowded is it?

Updated On: 4/6/06 at 06:31 PM

[Menken Fan]

Posted: 4/6/06 at 10:08pm

Fantastic! I saw this production last night, and it was hysterical and nearly perfect. It was a full house for this preview performance.

I had seen both the Second Stage and Broadway versions before. The Chicago production is staged more like the Second Stage version, due to the proscenium stage, and everyone in the show is perfectly cast and mirror images of the performances on Broadway. I especially liked the amazing Lucia Spina as Piretti, comic genius Bill Larkin as Panch, quirky Derrick Trumbly as Leaf and cutie Brad Weinstock as Chip. Any of the actors could easily move into the NY production and match the talents of the originals.

Not much is changed regarding the set, costumes, staging or dialogue, other than a few Chicago references - taking the Red Line to the competition (I'll overlook the fact that there is no Putnam County stop on the Red Line route) and Logainne's rant about the Dan Ryan construction (she suggests that the $350 million cost of this highway construction project would be better spent buying everyone in Chicago a copy of the Brokeback Mountain DVD).

The audience was roaring with laughter, and I can't imagine this show not building word of mouth and doing very well here. T25thAPCSB, we're thrilled to have you here in Chicago!!
Updated On: 4/6/06 at 10:08 PM

[brdlwyr]

Posted: 4/6/06 at 10:35pm

I will see it soon and I hope it is a hit!

[liotte]

Posted: 4/6/06 at 11:53pm

I will also see it soon! Yay!!

[Brokenlizard14]

Posted: 5/12/06 at 1:11pm

Menken fan, I know that Brad is actually planning on moving to NYC to pursue a career on Broadway, but not until his contract with Chicago's Spelling Bee is up, and even then he said he might renew it, if they ask him too

So who knows, maybe he could step out to play Chip in NYC someday.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 5/12/06 at 1:39pm

My Dad and I are taking my Mom to see it Sunday for Mother's Day. Looking forward to it.

[Brokenlizard14]

Posted: 5/12/06 at 1:43pm

You'll love it. It's absolutely hilarious, and you can tell the cast is having so much fun, and really loves what they do. Derrick, Brad, and Bill are the best. (Leaf, Chip, and Panch). Let us know what you think.

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 5/12/06 at 1:54pm

Looks like I need to plan a trip up to see the Bee, Wicked, and Color Purple in the coming months. Whoo-hoo.

EDIT: Color Purple doesn't start until April '07 - but on the Broadway Across America site, it said that Spelling Bee is only playing Chicago until Sept. 10, 2006. I thought it was open-ended? Updated On: 5/12/06 at 01:54 PM

[Brokenlizard14]

Posted: 5/12/06 at 2:54pm

Spelling Bee in Chicago is (like Wicked) an open ended run. Not sure why it says that.

[uncageg]

Posted: 5/12/06 at 3:11pm

2 friends of mine saw it in Chicago, at my suggestion (I saw it in New York last year) and they loved it and thanked me for suggesting they see it.

[GilmoreGirlO2]

Posted: 5/12/06 at 4:54pm

Spelling Bee is definitley open-ended. I actually just talked to my friend (who is in it) yesterday and he said they've already sold tickets into January.

Perhaps the website got confused - I believe the actors' original contracts are up in September (some may renew, obviously)...maybe that's where the September date came from.

[Brokenlizard14]

Posted: 5/12/06 at 6:16pm

Just out of curiosity, who is your friend in the show? You don't have to say if you don't want. I'm just being curiou...nosy. lol

[respeck]

Posted: 5/12/06 at 6:40pm

It most likely says that because of when tickets are being sold till or something. Tons of people got confused about Wicked when it opened saying, it's only on sale till whenever. Yeah, open ended. Check out Broadway in Chicago, it says it right there.

http://www.broadwayinchicago.com
Updated On: 5/12/06 at 06:40 PM