Spelling Bee seating

[badseed]

Spelling Bee seating#1

Posted: 8/2/07 at 12:31pm

Before everyone jumps on me, I DID search this topic and read everything that's already been posted. What I'm wondering about is a comment I read about the floor seats not being raised....I'm barely 5'4", so will I have a hard time seeing from row CC in the center? I have an option to get Row A 102 or Row B 101. Would that be better for a shorter person like myself? I greatly appreciate your input. I know lots of people posted that there's not a bad seat in the house, etc...I just want to be sure I get the best seat I can!

Incidentally, I'm very excited to finally be checking this show out! Any thoughts on the current cast?

[Actinggbugg474]

re: Spelling Bee seating#2

Posted: 8/2/07 at 12:52pm

Just saw the show last Sat. (my grandfather was chosen as a guest speller). I would say for this show just choose the Best Available option and buy whatever tickets come up, because it is true .. there is not a bad seat in the house. You shouldn't have a hard time seeing ... those seats are located on the "gym floor" and the stage is slightly raised from where you will be sitting. I would say buy those ... they are right in the middle of the action. The theatre itself is so unique and it's really hard to explain unless you have seen it. BUT .. I would say buy the closest seats you can .. it doesn't matter where they are .. they will be great. Even though you are relatively short .. you shouldn't have a problem seeing from row CC.

That's just my opinion!

[Sondheim_Geek]

re: Spelling Bee seating#2

Posted: 8/2/07 at 1:48pm

As long as you aren't on the extreme sides, you're fine.

[Bwayfan4]

re: Spelling Bee seating#3

Posted: 8/2/07 at 1:56pm

I saw the Bee from row CC and loved it! You are VERY close...and yes, sometimes I had to shift in my seat to see things on the sides of the stage and to the isles behind me, but I loved seeing it from here...

[Actinggbugg474]

re: Spelling Bee seating#4

Posted: 8/2/07 at 2:01pm

^ true (to Sondheim Geek).

I enjoyed the current cast ... but I do think there are some weak links. I saw the National Tour cast at the Alliance in Atlanta, so that's the only other cast I can compare them with (besides the OBC of course.) I thought Jenn Simard was much better as Rona Lisa Peretti when I saw her in ATL. She almost came across as bored and annoyed when I saw the show in NYC. I think this may be a concious character choice, but it plays as if she just can't wait to get home from the show. Her voice is great though, and she shines on The I Love You Song and the end of The Prayer of the Comfort Counselor. Maurice Murphy was on as Mitch Mahoney and I thought he was incredible. I hope he takes over the role full time eventually, because he was definitely a standout. I also thought Stan Bahorek was great at Leaf Coneybear. Much better than Michael Zahler (who I saw on tour). Jenni Barber was also great as Olive .. her singing is awesome, especially when she gets a chance to belt. Aaron J. Albano was a serviceable Chip .. I thought his voice left something to be desired. He is funny though. Jared Gertner, and Sara Inbar are great .. and so is Daniel Pearce as Panch. Greta Lee is decent as Marcy ... but she isn't a standout. Overall the show is in good shape with just a few minor weak links. Have a great time at the show .. it is definitely a FUN night of theatre!!!
Updated On: 8/2/07 at 02:01 PM

[badseed]

re: Spelling Bee seating#5

Posted: 8/2/07 at 2:09pm

Thanks for the input! I just needed a little reassurance about the view from the floor....sounds like I'll be fine.

Looking forward to this!!!

[Sondheim_Geek]

re: Spelling Bee seating#6

Posted: 8/2/07 at 2:22pm

I disagree about Lisa Howard, I think that is the "mother goose" of the show, she holds it together. Having seen the show four times (Lisa Yuen, Lisa Howard x2, Jenn Simard), I have enjoyed it most with Lisa. Yuen seemed completely confused with the role, and in my mind didn't do anything than act her part. Her working with Panch (Stuhr at the time) was atrocious. Simard comes off too cold for me, but channeling with Panch well (Hammond at the time; 3rd performance [he was LOST]). Lisa Howard pulls the full sympathetic Rona, wanting to help the kids as much as she can, yet realizing that she has boundaries. If I were to make a dream cast (off topic) it would look something like this.

Olive - Jessica-Snow Wilson
William - Jared Gertner
Logainne - Sarah Saltzberg
Leaf - Todd Buonopane
Marcy - Deborah S. Craig/Kate Wetherhead
Chip - Jose Llana
Rona - Lisa Howard
Panch - Greg Stuhr
Comfort Counsuler - Derrick Baskin (Love James take on the role, but the acting is lacking for me)

[Actinggbugg474]

re: Spelling Bee seating#7

Posted: 8/2/07 at 2:25pm

I think my post was confusing ... I haven't seen Lisa .. I was just saying that I enjoyed Jenn's performance more when I saw her in ATL. In NYC she seemed bored and totally unenthusiastic. From the clips I've seen of Lisa, I'm sure she was incredible .. I wish I could've seen her live.

[Bwayfan4]

re: Spelling Bee seating#8

Posted: 8/2/07 at 11:22pm

badseed...Did I mention there's more leg room in row CC?

[Marway44]

re: Spelling Bee seating#9

Posted: 8/3/07 at 8:55pm

Sondheim_Geek,

You wrote that Todd Buonopane would be your dream Leaf. I saw him understudy William. He was on the heavy side. How does he look as Leaf. I can't imagine a heavy Leaf.

Did you or anybody else see him as Leaf, and if so could someone explain how he looked?

Thanks!

[deborahhh]

re: Spelling Bee seating#10

Posted: 8/22/07 at 1:08pm

new to this site. Are you talking of seating for the Broadway production? cause I was questioning seating too. Thanks.