at the 25th annual.....

This weekend Derek and I had a chance to go see the current National tour of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, one of my favorite shows currently running on B'way. It always fascinates me to see the differences between the B'way production and its subsequent tour. For example, the show was originally done off-Broadway in proscenium, then to Circle in the Square as a thrust and now in tour back to proscenium. It was nice to see it both ways, and it completely works. However the size of the Hippodrome in Baltimore in much larger than Circle in the Square, and for a show like this, I think it loses a lot. Don't get me wrong, the show was still, for the most part, extremely witty/well done/on point, etc., but there is an essence to the show when performed in a tight, small space. You feel much more that you are in the gym participating in the event rather than sitting in a large theatre watching a show.

D and I knew of the guy playing Chip from his work around Boston when we lived there (D also went to Emerson college at the same time as Miguel). He was the only one that I feel could move into the B'way show if needed. The others were all great, but just didn't have the complete package, or maybe I am just extremely biased toward the OBC. My biggest disappointment was in Barfee. The actor on tour couldn't commit to either being a copy of Folger (who was brilliance) or making the character one uniquely his own. As a result he spent the entire show going in and out of Folger's created voice, but trying new line readings when he felt like it. It just didn't work for me. I either needed him to be the character that Folger created, which is just fine...some characters need to just be recreated or put an ENTIRELY new spin on it. What he was doing, just didn't work.

So that's my theatre critique for today....I'm off to, hopefully, see A Chorus Line and Martin Short:Fame Becomes Me and maybe Grey Gardens in NYC this weekend. Maybe I'll write about those next =)

Oh, and if you are in the DC area, go see Nine Parts of Desire at Arena Stage. I had the opportunity to see the final dress last week and Heather Ruffo is outstanding. The show is extremely heavy, but so very well accomplished and the subject matter is simply fascinating to listen to from this woman (women's) point of view. Arena should also get kudos for the great set/lighting and costume work for the show. I could explain all the great things that worked but it's so much better to go and experience it for yourself!