“Bee” There or Be Square
By Wes Hessel
Even before my years of reviewing, I had heard of “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee”, though I had never had the chance to see it. Being many theater groups produce it, I presumed it to be a new modern classic – that doesn’t even begin to cover the great humor and depth it contains. And in the hands of the masters at Copley Theater, under the inspired direction of Stephen Schellhardt, it is nothing less than a magnificent masterpiece.
The premise, as they say, is deceptively simple – the county bee in an unnamed state in an apparently less populated area. The six finalists (well, five finalists and a runner-up) from their schools are competing to move on to the state level. (Actually, there are a couple more contestants, but more about that later.) As soon as you meet the core company in the first number (did I mention this is a musical?), ultimately you know they can spell only one thing: T-R-O-U-B-L-E.
Now by that, I mean hijinks, hilarity, and hyperventilating – the pressure these young competitors are under, by themselves or others, is a significant theme, which is involved in some of the dramatic story lines in a real, and sometimes raw, way. Other subject matters include parenting of various forms, good and bad, as well as the idea that winning isn’t the only thing.
The troop of performers who put this wonderful work together are insightfully incredible. The three “adults” aren’t always, but as bee head Rona Lisa Peretti, Veronica Garza delightfully demonstrates the mom-type who apparently lacks children of her own, but is doing her best to be the “teach”. Douglas Panch (Jason Richards) is the laughable vice-principal who was absent from competition moderation for five years (and, of course, the reasons why become quite apparent). Naphtali Curry takes “comfort officer” Mitch Mahoney skillfully from community service archetype to able adjudicator.
Shelbi Voss’ Marcy is the neighborhood newcomer but also the classic overachiever; her quite credible layers, like the proverbial onion, show the skins underneath where rawness lurks. Elizabeth Stenholt makes the young upstart of Olive Ostrovsky the cute one most would want as a friend, but the loneliness and lacking love revealed in her is painfully palpable. Teddy Gales nearly blows us away with his William Barfee (that’s pronounced like buffet), the grade-A geek and seemingly hypochondriac who keeps putting his foot in it.
The youngest of the bunch, Logainne Schwartzandgrubenniere (try saying that one time fast) is smartly simple as craftily created by Ann Delaney. Nic Dantes’ jocular jock Chip Tolentino is side-splitting as the one to actually beat (last year’s winner), especially when he tries his best to rise above the challenge he faces. And last, but lovingly not least, is Ben Broughton as the “flighty” Leaf Coneybear – his characterization zooms to humorous heights and crushing crashes.
And if that isn’t enough, an improv element is blended in with a handful of volunteer spellers from the audience who sign up before the show for the privilege. The way this group of actors integrates them into the cast for their shine in the spotlight is astounding, and the improvised lines that result are absolutely LoL… So I don’t have to say “not to be missed”, do I? See if you can spell www.paramountaurora.com for tickets or more information.
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