The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee

We can rely on the Graduate Section to bring their audience something different, and they certainly did this with “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee”. It is a Tony Award winning musical telling the story of six adolescent youngsters who, while competing in the Spelling Bee, learn that winning isn’t everything, and losing doesn’t necessarily make you a loser!

The audience found themselves in a high school gym watching a competitive spelling bee, and some of the audience were also invited to join in the contest (including our NODA Regional Councillor – well done Gordon!). Each of the competitors had a story to tell which was to affect the way they performed within the competition. We were introduced to the unloved boy who spells with his foot, William Barfee (Jamie Smith); the dejected over achiever, Marcy Park (Caroline Dryden); Olive Ostrovsky (Sheralyn Allon), who is pining for her mum who is away “finding herself” on a spiritual trip; Chip Tolentino (Daniel Paxton) the boy scout with uncontrollable lusts; Logainne Schartzandgrubenniere (Becky Howarth) the youngest contestant who has two fathers and a lisp to contend with; and homeschooled hippy, Leaf Coneybear (Adam Hampton-Matthews). The proceedings were being overseen by the “adults” Rona Lisa Perretti (Rowanne Allon), her co-host Vice Principal Douglas Panch (Kyle Clarkson) and the comfort counsellor completing his community service, Mitch Mahoney (Adam Donald).

The set was simple but appropriate, lighting good and the use of a couple of standing microphones was most of the time adequate, allowing soloists to be heard over the small band. There were many laugh-out-loud moments, especially in “Chip’s Lament”, as well as a few tender moments with the performance of “The I love You Song” being particularly poignant and moving. The entire cast portrayed their characters with great enthusiasm and skill, and gave each character an identifiable personality; the singing and staging were excellent, there wasn’t a weak link at all. This was a superb production, congratulations to everyone involved.

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