"Spelling Bee" Chicago's Extended Run

[GilmoreGirlO2]

Posted: 5/1/07 at 11:46pm

So, I know about half of the cast are new since Chicago's "Spelling Bee" came back from its hiatus, but I haven't heard any names or reviews. Has anyone seen it since it's been up and running again?

[Brokenlizard14]

Posted: 5/2/07 at 8:32am

Wait, who's new? I know the original Panch and Ms. Peretti are new. Didn't know that anybody else had left.

[singtopher]

Posted: 5/2/07 at 8:46am

I'm 90% sure Werny is staying with the show.

[commasplice]

Posted: 5/2/07 at 9:59am

According to Wikipedia, this is the current cast:
James Earl Jones II as Mitch Mahoney
Christine Bunuan as Marcy Park
Jeffery James Binney as Leaf Coneybear
Eric Roediger as William Barfee
Emily Price as Rona Lisa Peretti
Robin Alexis Childress as Olive Ostrovsky
Scott Gryder as Charlito "Chip" Tolentino
Mark David Kaplan as Douglas Panch
Christine Werny as Logainne Schwartzandgrubenierre

(I know Wikipedia isn't exactly a scholarly source, but Jeffery James Binney's site says that he's currently playing Leaf, so until I can get myself downtown in the next month or so to see it for myself, I'm going to assume this is correct )

[MagicToDo82]

Posted: 5/2/07 at 2:10pm

Pretty sure commasplice's list is correct - Binney IS Leaf. As for Derrick Trumbly (original Chicago Leaf), he's in Shenandoah at the Marriot, last I heard. Also heard rumblings that a few of the original Chicago Bee-sters are going into/had auditions for the Chicago Wicked, so... we shall see.

[mauriposa]

Posted: 5/3/07 at 1:44pm

Bump. Someone has had to have seen the replacement cast by now.

[kyle.]

Posted: 5/3/07 at 1:56pm

Christine Werny is still with the show, and will be through the end of summer.

[RevolutionaryCostume]

Posted: 5/3/07 at 2:39pm

I saw the show on the 28th of April.

I was really worried about the show since Roberta left. . she is and always will be Rona to me. .. imagine my shock when the spellers came out and I only recognized two of them!

The only people who were the same were the actors who played Logan, William, and Mitch. Everyone else was different.

I have to say they really did insanely well in my eyes. Especially since I was so disappointed by the change.

I wasn't a big fan of Binney as Leaf. . though I'm not a big fan of larger people playing that role anyway. It just seems to get too close to Barfee's role. Coneybear should be hippie-like and very ADD. .

Emily Price was a delight. She took her own spin on the Piretti role and I give her mucho props. Her comic timing was every bit as good as Roberta's . . and she added a few little improvs of her own that were hilarious.

Christine Bunuan was very good as Marcy. She was VERY different than Jen. Jen normally played the role very cold and detached. Bunuan really played up the sad, my-parents-won't-let-me-sleep thing from the get go. . always playing a bit sad. Her "I Speak Six Languages" was very good though.

Robin Alexis Childress was the biggest shock to me. I was obsessed with Cristen Page's interpretation of that role. The way tears would stream down her face during the "Mama Mama Mama!" part of The I Love You Song always choked me up. Childress was very believable as Olive. Within a few minutes of the show starting, I had already forgotten that she was different. She inhabited the role fully, and I left very satisfied. I wish she had been a bit more emotional during The I Love You Song. . but otherwise she was top-notch.

Scott Gryder played Chip (now back to Tolentino) as a much more likable guy. No offense to Brad Weinstock, but I prefer to actually feel bad for Chip . . whereas Brad seemed to always make him a bit of a jerk.

Mark David Kaplan was very capable as Panache. . but I didn't really see him stand out as much as Gregory Mills.

Anyway, still go see the show. I thought it was every bit as good as it ever was.

~Jacob.

[GilmoreGirlO2]

Posted: 5/3/07 at 5:00pm

Thanks for the review and update, Jacob!

By the way, both Derrick Trumbly and Brad Weinstock are in "Shenandoah" at the Marriot.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 5/3/07 at 5:20pm

I'm so excited-- I had no idea anyone was doing Shenandoah-- one of my all time Favorites!

And I also wanted to share, this is still a Broadway in Chicago show as I got an E-Mail ad from BIC hyping some Spelling Bee deals, including "Adults Only" nights the first Friday of the month, Game Night every Wednesday and a special $17.76 promo on July 2.
Updated On: 5/3/07 at 05:20 PM

[MagicToDo82]

Posted: 5/3/07 at 5:50pm

Brad Weinstock will be the new tour Boq in Wicked as well, FYI.

[mauriposa]

Posted: 5/4/07 at 12:56am

Thanks for the update. I've been really curious about the new cast because I grew to love the original Chicago cast so much. I'm glad to hear that things are going well.

Also, thanks to those who have mentioned the whereabouts of previous cast members. I'm going to have to try to make it up to the Marriot to support them.

[commasplice]

Posted: 5/4/07 at 1:25am

Thank you for the review, Jacob! I look forward to seeing the new cast.

Gotta get to the Marriot now to see Derrick and Brad, too! I hope my wallet can stand all this.

[carlobarlo]

Posted: 5/4/07 at 1:33am

I love Scott Gryder! I'm glad he's doing so well!

[daspazoo]

Posted: 5/4/07 at 2:05am

Scott Gryder also recieved Jeff nomination earlier this week for his performance in "Thrill Me" at the Bailiwick.

For those of you planning a trip up to the Marriott (and those of you who aren't--should), it will be well worth it! I saw SHENANDOAH opening night and thought it was magnificent. Not a weak link in the cast, excellent staging and production values, superb musical direction and very moving, touching, well-sung performances. I review shows for my college paper, so I see a lot, but I thought this show was really special.

[GilmoreGirlO2]

Posted: 5/4/07 at 2:32am

I didn't know Brad would be Boq on the "Wicked" tour! Congrats to him!

I saw the opening night of "Shenandoah" as well and agree. While I wasn't a fan of the script, the production itself is wonderful - they do an excellent job!