The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee

I was interested to see Wilburton Theatre Group had chosen to produce this rather obscure musical as web searches indicate it is a difficult show to pull off successfully.  However, said difficulties seemed of no concern to WTG who gave us an outstanding production.

The show follows six awkward adolescents through their daunting and highly amusing championship quest. As they navigate the tournament’s pressures, this eclectic group finds a new sense of belonging.  Along the way, they learn that there is more to life than winning a trophy. Four brave volunteers from the audience join the cast to participate in the quiz, which I am sure ensures new - and unexpected - comedy every night.  The involvement of the audience on Friday night worked well which is not always the case.

The small cast were all incredibly strong in their roles, working together perfectly. The characters, all competing for the top spot in the county spelling Bee, are all pretty much larger than life - a fact which can sometimes be lost or overacted with less talented casts and less firm direction. 

This cast all performed to a high standard, from Tim Meikle, adding experience and giving an absolutely excellent performance, as the nasally challenged William Barfée to the multi-talented Emily Starr - as the straight-laced Marcy Park.  I can’t imagine a group of people more enthusiastic or committed – and it showed.

Louis Prime as Chip Tolentino - boy scout and last year’s champion returns to defend his title.  This young actor, who has great potential, gave a first-rate performance. He managed his lyrically naughty solo Chip’s Lament impressively straight-faced.

India Barton as Logainne SchwartzandGrubenierre a young lady with two gay fathers was supberb managing to keep her excellent lisp going throughout (please don’t tell me it was real!)

Lacey Webdale as Leaf Coneybear was a real kook!   Her face when she got yet another South American rodent with an amusing name to spell was a picture. Her song I’m Not That Smart was extremely well done.

Nadia Saif as Olive Ostrovsky, who made friends with her dictionary at an early age to compensate for lack of parental love and attention, gave a bravura performance.  As talented an actress as she is vocally.  The I Love You Song in which she was joined by her Mom (Becky Gilbert) and Dad (Mark Wright) was beautifully done.

Becky Gilbert as Rona Lisa Perretti in charge of the Bee led from the front with an extremely  confident performance and a lovely voice.

Tim Brown as Vice Principal Panch - a man not without his personal problems - did a great job in both his roles, doubling as he did as one of Logainne's gay fathers. 

Mark Wright as Mitch Mahony, doing community service by looking after the students, could have just done lip-service to his role, but he gave it his all as well as doubling/trebling as various fathers. Great performance matched only by the voice, although I would have liked the same volume in his dialogue.

Musically all the performances were excellent, and a nice full sound was created by the live band, led by musical director Richard Hayward. Although this sometimes overpowered the more intricate harmonies in busy songs, it didn’t diminish things in any way. 

The set requirements for this show are simple and were well met.  The lighting design and operation first-rate and the character driven costumes and make-up just right.

Full of physical comedy and clever quips as well as some tender moments, it is a testament to the excellent direction of Emily Starr and the energies of the cast that this show worked so well.  I am very pleased to have seen this splendid production.

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