But then time passed and I offered my services for their production, seeing as how I lived in the area. I helped build the set, got to know the cast and crew, and overheard the rehearsals as I worked. The overhearing turned into interest, the interest turned into enjoyment, and soon I was sitting down and watching rehearsals more than I was working. I had, indeed, fallen in love with the show.
It's hard not to. In case you don't know anything about it, "Bee" is about a group of kids who are participating in the county's 25th Annual Spelling Bee. Sounds simple enough, except that all the kids have issues. Hilarious, ridiculous, entertaining issues. Oh, and so do the two faculty members running the bee. In fact, the only character who doesn't seem to have issues, the comfort counselor, is a felon on probation. Ok, so everyone has issues.
Whilst working with this production, a good friend of mine from long ago informed me that the Robidoux Landing Playhouse in St. Joseph, MO was also doing a production of the show. My love of OCTA's production made me a bit skeptical at first, but I knew the show itself would hold its weight, and I eagerly saw their production.
What results is as follows: a comparison of two amazing productions of one amazing show. Here are some bullet points, and I'll elaborate more after that.
OCTA
Direction: More like a "play" than a "musical."
Cast: Characters were vibrant but not over-the-top.
Design: Set was simple and effective. Lights were very colorful and well executed.
Misc.: Musical pit was excellent, albeit a bit overpowering at times. Dance choreography was very well done.
Robidoux
Direction: More like a "musical" than a "play." More campy musical-theatre moments.
Cast: Very vibrant, over-the-top, but in a fun campy musical-theatre way.
Design: Simple and effective on all fronts.
Misc: No music pit, but piano was used effectively. Dace choreography was not emphasized as much as one would expect a campy musical-theatre show, but had some strong and memorable moments.
From now on in the review, if you haven't seen the show, you might be in for a few spoilers. Here we go.
No two characters in each production mirrored the other. Every actor played such a different and unique performance than their alter it was startling. OCTA's Barfe' was a nasally challenged, overly confident yet socially inept child while Robidoux's was an intense, angry genius with a short fuse and a lisp. OCTA's Marcey Parks was a young, confident, snide prodigy while Robidoux's was a stiff, sheltered, spelling-powerhouse who tapped out each letter in a beat on her thigh. OCTA's Vice Principal Panche was a cheery, perky man whose facade could be easily shattered come the nearest reminder of his inadequecies whereas Robidoux's was a serious, often monotone gentleman whose robotic voice worked hilariously when reading off words and definitions. Most notably, though, were the differences between the Lief Coneybears. OCTA's was a clueless, often blank-faced and simple boy who practically needed to be shaken in order to get his attention. Robidoux's, however, was the polar opposite. Constantly shifting around in his seat, constantly making goofy facial expressions to himself, their Coneybear was a mentally challenged and loveable child, but the type of child that everyone has encountered at some point in their lives -- if he hasn't been prescribed ADHD medication yet, give it another month at most.
As previously stated, the direction choices were very different, and each show emphasized different moments than the other. Olive's infatuation with Barfe' was much more emphasized in Robidoux's production, as well as Olive's story-line in general. The "I Love You" song was a tear-jerking, heart-wrenching piece that gave me goosebumps. "Magic Foot" made Barfe's character a star with its execution, and the use of giant feathery fans made the number unforgettable.There was also a sense of tightness to the show, where each and every movement and line felt quick and very well rehearsed. It added to the whole "professional quality" feeling of the show.
In contrast, OCTA had a strong emphasis on improvisation and keeping the show's content fresh and up-to-date. Their much more elaborate choreography and very colorful lighting design made the show very engaging to the eye, al-be-it a little overwhelming at times. It would be unfair to say this was most aptly proven during "Pandemonium" because the number is supposed to be, well, pandemonium. But achievements in the show's choreography were most notably shown in numbers like "The Rules", which had an elaborate hand choreography; "I Speak 6 Languages", which had Marcey Parks doing everything from karate to basketball to salsa dancing to rescuing a cat out of a tree; and the dance number in which Barfe' falls for Olive and the two dance about the stage ridiculously, and hilariously.
Line for line, song for song, these two productions did their scripts justice, and I loved watching every moment of both shows. If you had a chance to see either, count yourself very lucky, because in my opinion, shows of the kind of quality exhibited by these two theaters don't come around that often. Congratulations and bravo to all those involved. You made me fall in love with another musical (as difficult as that is to type.)
Corbin
In contrast, OCTA had a strong emphasis on improvisation and keeping the show's content fresh and up-to-date. Their much more elaborate choreography and very colorful lighting design made the show very engaging to the eye, al-be-it a little overwhelming at times. It would be unfair to say this was most aptly proven during "Pandemonium" because the number is supposed to be, well, pandemonium. But achievements in the show's choreography were most notably shown in numbers like "The Rules", which had an elaborate hand choreography; "I Speak 6 Languages", which had Marcey Parks doing everything from karate to basketball to salsa dancing to rescuing a cat out of a tree; and the dance number in which Barfe' falls for Olive and the two dance about the stage ridiculously, and hilariously.
Line for line, song for song, these two productions did their scripts justice, and I loved watching every moment of both shows. If you had a chance to see either, count yourself very lucky, because in my opinion, shows of the kind of quality exhibited by these two theaters don't come around that often. Congratulations and bravo to all those involved. You made me fall in love with another musical (as difficult as that is to type.)
Corbin
