NY Spelling Bee Review (Sun 7/16) - Chicago Comparison

[GilmoreGirlO2]

Posted: 7/18/06 at 12:56pm

I saw "Spelling Bee" in New York this past Sunday night (and saw Barrett Foa as Leaf)! I have only seen the Chicago production, so I haven't seen Jesse, but I loved Barrett. Comparing him to Derrick Trumbly in Chicago's production, they both played him very differently, but I love both. Barrett was adorable, and although he couldn't hit the high note at the end of "I'm Not That Smart" (the first time he tried and squeaked, and the 2nd time he didn't even try), I still really like him.

As a whole production, though, I must say I was surprised by how this cast compares to Chicago's. I honestly feel that every person in the Chicago cast has a better voice (give or take one or two) and grasp on their character than their Broadway equivalent, which really shocked me, especially knowing some of the Broadway cast are the originals. I also thought that the Broadway cast missed a lot of moments they could have made a lot more funny or put a lot more heart in - the Chicago cast just seems much more tighter. Don't get me wrong, I loved the Broadway show, it was still really great - but I do feel Chicago has a better production of the show. (And feel that all of the Chicago actors could - and should - easily be welcomed to take over the roles on Broadway eventually, if the opportunity arises.)

One of the characters I particularly noticed was Celia Keenan-Bolger...I, truthfully, really didn't like how she portrayed Olive compared to Cristen Paige in Chicago. Cristen gives Olive such sweetness and innocence and through that is able to give Olive more heart (making the audience even more sympathetic toward her during "The I Love You Song"). Celia, although I still like some of the things she does, is much harsher playing Olive. I also think Cristen has a much better voice than Celia.

Logainne is played very similarly in both shows (and is one of the only exceptions to the Chicago actress having a better voice than Broadway). I loved Sarah Saltzberg, she was fantastic and probably my favorite in the show.

Although I enjoyed the New York production, it really made me thankful and appreciative of the fantastic cast we have in Chicago - we are very lucky!

[gustof777]

Posted: 7/18/06 at 1:12pm

yeah but that's all Cristen Paige's "Olive" was...a sweet little girl and I found her portrayal a little too 2-D. I thought that Celia's character was very developed and layerd. I found her "I Love You Song" Infinitley more moving (and that's not to say that I didn't like Cristen's it was pretty and i cried but it wasn't as personal as Celia's was) I also believed that Celia had a better grip on what it is to be a child of working parents and that maybe is why she plays slightly tougher. I think that Celia has a much better voice than Cristen...who sounded a little too bright for my taste and it stuck during the group numbers. I enjoyed Chicago's production but for me Celia is amazing in the role

[whatyouown223]

Posted: 7/18/06 at 1:30pm

For the voices comment, I'm pretty sure all the actors (especially Barret) can sing pretty well and those voices were just put on to help their characters. Because Celia was in Piazza, Barret was in Q, etc.

[VonTussleGirl]

Posted: 7/18/06 at 1:39pm

I'm not the biggest fan of Celia's Olive, but I have to admit it's a well-developed characterization. I've noticed that the mistake that some adults make when playing kids is overdoing the sweetness, which Celia effectively avoids. Personally, I thought that gave Olive more heart than any "innocent" portrayal could have... I haven't seen Cristen Paige, though.

I'm so excited to see Barrett's Leaf.

[snazzier]

Posted: 7/18/06 at 1:42pm

Personally, I am a fan of Stiles' Olive, as she combines the sweetness with a little of the "edge" that Celia gives Olive. When I saw Celia for the first time last year, she was fabulous, though. With most of these OBC members, they have been doing this for over a year. They are playing some different jokes and parts of their character than the Chicago cast, mainly because it's hard to keep Spelling Bee new and fresh after playing the same role for over a year. We have to give them some credit. :P

[AberJ01]

Posted: 7/18/06 at 4:20pm

I'm from Chicago and have tickets to see Spelling Bee here soon, have no gotten a chance to see it in New York yet, but am planning to on my next trip to New York.

Saw Avenue Q a couple weeks ago when I was in New York and didn't really care for Barrett Foa that much in the show. He doesn't really have a strong voice at all, and struggles with high notes immensely. Really don't think he's got a developed high range because he missed a lot of notes in Avenue Q as well or didn't attempt them. Still a strong actor, but his singing could use a lot of work.

[GilmoreGirlO2]

Posted: 7/18/06 at 6:48pm

For me, Celia's toughness actually made me feel like her character was less developed. I didn't see different sides of her - it seemed like she was always the tough character, except for in "The I Love You Song", which then almost seemed odd for her to be singing. I mean, don't get me wrong, I really did like Celia, but I think that Cristen has actually developed the character more, because I feel Olive is more effectively portrayed as mostly sweet and shy (and then you see her happiness and joking side during "My Friend, The Dictionary" and her sad, angry, and upset side during "The I Love You Song", and the transitions between these emotions are very smooth because you are able to see the change from her shy self to what gets her really excited and what makes her extremely upset).

And, for the voices, I was definitley taking into account what voice they were doing for their characters (the Chicago cast also puts on more kid-like voices for their characters) - it wasn't that aspect at all. It seemed some were struggling and just didn't have as strong voices.

Don't get me wrong, both the Broadway and Chicago productions are wonderful and I enjoyed them both! I just feel the cast is stronger in Chicago. :)

[gustof777]

Posted: 7/18/06 at 6:55pm

I think for me it was just that I didn't see that Cristen had the really big drive to win in the Finale (ie: I won't come in second) She just seemed a little too nice. I loved Celia's almost reservation to show emotion. She was very sweet but yet you could tell she was "damaged" by her parents. I also got a real sense that the Bee was really important to her for so many different reasons and she made you want her to win and not just b/c she was the nice or sweet innocent little kid. I also loved watching her mature and watch olive come out of her "shell" particualarly with her friendship with William. I don't know...maybe you saw her on off night but to me she was much better in character and voice than Cristen. But I did like Cristen as well

[ILoveMyDictionary]

Posted: 7/18/06 at 6:59pm

I haven't seen the Chicago bee so I can't really say anything. But I'm surprised to hear that the Chicago cast seems to have a better grasp on their characters considering some of the Broadway cast created the characters of the bee from scratch.

I really really want to see the Chicago Bee, but I doubt I'm getting to Chicago anytime soon.


Updated On: 7/18/06 at 06:59 PM