Spelling Bee Question- Marcy

[whatyouown223]

Posted: 9/3/06 at 12:19am

In Spelling Bee, I know there have been non asian Marcy understudies. Have they ever go on? If they do, what's different in the show? Thanks!

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 9/3/06 at 12:24am

I would assume "I knew you were Asian!!" isn't in that performance.

(The only Marcy understudy in SF is Michelle Noh, who is Asian, so I wouldn't know. Not that I've seen her, anyway.)

[broadwaydestined]

Posted: 9/3/06 at 12:42am

I think the thing about spelling bee is that none of the characters really need to be a certain race. Its really easy to change a couple of lines and its easy.

[BertCCRI]

Posted: 9/3/06 at 12:51am

I've seen Lisa Yuen as both Marcy and Rona, and she does a fine job in each role.

[somethingwicked]

Posted: 9/3/06 at 1:00am

I know Lisa also understudies Olive. Does anyone know if she's gone on in that role?

The one thing I find funny about her as Rona is that during "The I Love You Song" when she plays Olive's mother it must be quite a sight to see little old Celia as the product of a black man and an Asian woman.. hehe.

Updated On: 9/3/06 at 01:00 AM

[liotte]

Posted: 9/3/06 at 1:10am

Yes, Lisa has gone on as Olive.

Kate has gone on as Marcy, and Mo (Maurice) has gone on as Coneybear.

It's great that the show can have anyone playing the roles.

[somethingwicked]

Posted: 9/3/06 at 1:11am

Did you see Lisa as Marcy? If so, how was she?

[liotte]

Posted: 9/3/06 at 1:16am

I have seen her many times, she is great!

[OOTI2004]

Posted: 9/3/06 at 1:43am

When I saw the show, Lisa Yuen was on for Rona and she was amazing. I would love to see her play Marcy.

[thevolleyballer]

Posted: 9/3/06 at 2:32am

I wouldn't put it past Finn and Shenken to have wanted to write something, whether lyrics or dialogue, about Marcy's being Asian, as it could have worked into a song. I'm sure they purposely took it out, though, because one line can define a character's appearance, and that's not always good. (I use the "Blonde!" line from Wicked, because that forces Glinda to have to be blonde.) Still, Chip was changed to a Jewish sort of character in the Chicago production, I believe. It all works. :)

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 9/3/06 at 2:49am

Yep, he's Isaac "Chip" Berkowitz.

They didn't change his name for the Australian production, though.

[bwayondabrain]

Posted: 9/3/06 at 7:49am

"The one thing I find funny about her as Rona is that during "The I Love You Song" when she plays Olive's mother it must be quite a sight to see little old Celia as the product of a black man and an Asian woman.. "


haha! that cracked me up :)