Spelling Bee in Australia?

[bigrab1018]

Posted: 3/11/06 at 8:07pm

Spelling Bee is running in Australia, right?

If so, does anyone have any links about it?

[somethingwicked]

Posted: 3/11/06 at 8:07pm

Isn't this the production where Barfee is being played by a woman?

[bigrab1018]

Posted: 3/11/06 at 8:43pm

bump

[Laura-Kate]

Posted: 3/11/06 at 10:43pm

Yeah it was a very limited run with Marina Prior starring.
It ran through two weeks in february. (I live in NY and my family live in Australia. I made them see it) I know it has already played its run in melbourne I'm not sure about Sydney, or if it even made it up the coast. PM me and I can give you more details (I just need to find them again!)
Laura xx

[Urban]

Posted: 3/11/06 at 10:44pm

Magna Szubanski is playing Barfee. She is a noted comedienne who has done alot of skits playing guys. I think the run finished two days ago.

[stage_door76]

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

Actually, closing night was last night.

Marina Prior (Rona Lisa Peretti) was out for the matinee and closing night last night, as the season sold out so quickly and extended. She was previously contracted to do an opera gig in the country somewhere. However, Jackie Rae Lythgo (the Spelling Bee female swing) went on for her in both of yesterday's shows and was brilliant.

The closing night was very emotional, with Magda (William Barfee) tearing up tremendously at the final curtain call.

It looks like the show will indeed be produced again next year in Sydney as part of the Sydney Theater Company's 2007 season (similar to Urinetown transferring up there this year).

The show was an absolute hit, with audiences raving. It was a wonderful show - REALLY brilliant.


Try here for some info

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 3/12/06 at 2:18am

Another review here:
StateArt.com.au

[lfae]

Posted: 3/12/06 at 3:39am

oh, you saw Jackie as well? You lucky thing :) my friends did at the matinee yesterday and another friend had previously seen her as Olive. I'd have loved to have been able to see her myself - met her when she came out after the show and she was such a sweetheart :)

[stage_door76]

Posted: 3/12/06 at 4:22am

Jackie's an awesome girl, one of my closest friends actually (we used to dance together!)

Yes, I went to see her go on as Rona for closing night. I'd previously seen her go on for Natalie Mendoza a week or so ago, and her dancing during I Speak Six Languages sent the audience into spontaneous applause! She's a very, VERY talented woman and should be closely watched when Wicked heads our way as a serious contender for the role of Glinda.

[lfae]

Posted: 3/12/06 at 5:47am

Ah, I wish I'd seen her. I should have sucked it up and raced from work to that matinee!

Although I'm firmly in the Lucy Durack as Glinda camp

[liotte]

Posted: 3/12/06 at 10:55am

I hope that the Austalian Company was recorded on video, and maybe I'll actually see it if it's ever released at Lincoln Center or something.