**** Highly Recommended I was kind of surprised when I read that the Copley Theatre was doing The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. It’s a sweet, silly, ultimately happy musical about a group of snarky fifth grade misfits competing for a trophy and the chance to go to the national Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C. Although it’s one of my favorites, it’s also a favorite show for community/high school theater groups – which means it’s been a tad overdone. That said, the Copley’s high-energy production was terrific – definitely out-spelling the competition! 4 Spotlights
Everyone should take a break and enjoy The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. It’s a lot like returning to middle school without the angst - or the zits! I loved watching this talented cast portray awkward middle schoolers – and the quirks that helped them spell the words. Everyone has a backstory which their songs often explain. By the way, a song called Pandemonium, explains the basic unfairness of any spelling bee due to the random selection of easy vs difficult words. Kudos to Director Kory Danielson and Choreographer Morgan DiFonzo for an amazing competition.
Warning, warning! You’ll never know who might be spelling! Random people from the audience do get drafted to join the overachievers on stage – they spell a word and take their licks, just like the kids! The four draftees at the performance I attended were terrific, spelling every word correctly. One gentleman even spelled a made-up word correctly, which totally nonplused the judge!
Victoria Garza is at her bouncy best as Rona Lisa Perretti, the best darn realtor in Putnam County. Rona, who won the 3rd Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee by correctly spelling syzygy, serves as the Emcee for the Bee. She reads hilarious snippets about each speller (even the volunteers) before each begins to spell.
Vice Principal Douglas Panch (Jason Richards) has recovered from last year’s Spelling Bee breakdown – mostly. He displays remarkable patience – and some hilarious ad libs – as he pronounces the words, reads the dictionary and makes up outrageous sentences using the words.
The rather scary Mitch Mahoney (Naphtali Curry) is the Official Comfort Counselor. He’s doing his community service by helping with the bee. He gives losing spellers a juice box and escorts them off the stage. Somewhere along the line he discovers he kind of likes this gig.
Before the Bee can begin, Rona Lisa calls Olive Ostrovsky (Elizabeth Stenholt) over because her entry fee of hasn’t been paid. Olive says her mother is at an ashram in India finding herself, her dad is coming from work. She hopes he will be there – with the fee – very soon. Olive, who is home alone most of the time, learned to spell by reading the dictionary.
Chip Tolentino (Nic Dantes), a popular athletic type (we know that because he’s wearing a team jacket) was last year’s champ. He’s sure he can repeat – at least until he’s distracted by Marigold Coneybear. His daydream results in an embarrassing condition everyone would see if he stood up to spell his word. As the first out, Chip is forced to sell snacks during a time out.
Awkward and gawky Leaf Coneybear (Ben Broughton), who is home schooled, lakes his own clothes. Leaf is embarrassed because he got in to the Putnam County Spelling Bee when the 1st and 2nd place spellers couldn’t compete. He goes into a kind of trance before spelling his words.
Logainne Schwartzandgrubenniere (Ann Delaney), whose last name combines the last names of her two dads, Carl Grubenniere (Broughton) and Dan Schwarz (Curry), who often appear to encourage her. She is the youngest speller in the bee and she’s very politically aware. Logainne writes her words on her arm before she spells hem out loud.
William Barfeé (Teddy Gales) is rather touchy since he pronounces his last name as bar-fay, but Mr. Panch always says bar-fee. William has just one working nostril, and he’s allergic to peanuts leading to a catastrophe at last year’s bee. William uses his Magic Foot to spell out the words.
Marcy Park (Shelbi Voss), who just moved to Putnam County, goes to a parochial school. She’s an overachiever who always meets expectations. In fact, she went to the National Spelling Bee last year and did very well.
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee was developed from an improv play called C-R-E-P-U-S-C-U-L-E, conceived by Rebecca Feldman. After seeing the show, William Finn saw the possibilities and brought in Rachel Sheinkin to collaborate with Feldman to develop a musical. Finn wrote the music and lyrics, Sheinkin wrote the book. The musical opened on Broadway in 2005, winning two Tony Awards including Best Book.
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee runs through April 27th at the Copley Theatre, 8 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora. Valet parking is available, plenty of street parking too. Running time is just about two hours with an intermission. Performances are Wednesdays at 1:30 & 7:00 pm, Thursdays at 7:00 pm, Fridays at 8:00 pm, Saturdays at 2:00 & 8:00 pm, and Sundays at 1:00 & 5:30 pm. Tickets range from $40-$55. FYI (630) 896-6666 or www.paramountaurora.com
