S-T-U-P-E-N-D-O-U-S AND S-I-D-E-S-P-L-I-T-T-I-N-G
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is a delightful and unconventional musical comedy that debuted in 2005. With music and lyrics by William Finn and a book by Rachel Sheinkin, the show is set at a fictional spelling bee in Putnam Valley Middle School. It follows an eclectic group of middle schoolers, each with their own distinctive personalities, quirks, and insecurities, as they compete for the prestigious title of spelling champion.
Beanie Feldstein and the Cast
Spelling Bee was derived from the improvisational play C-R-E-P-U-S-C-U-L-E created by Rebecca Feldman. Sheinkin’s witty and heartfelt book (with additional material by Jay Reiss) perfectly complements Finn’s character-driven songs, helping to bring the eccentric and lovable characters of the spelling bee to life. One of Finn’s best-known works, it’s a departure from the more serious themes of Falsettos, leaning heavily on humor, improv and audience interaction. In fact, before the opening last Sunday at the Kennedy Center, audience members lined up in hopes of being one of the four guest spellers at the Bee.
The Company
Broadway Center Stage‘s solid production at the Eisenhower Theater, directed and choreographed by Danny Mefford (Kimberly Akimbo), began with the Bee’s host Rona Lisa Peretti (Bonnie Milligan) reliving her winning Bee experience 22 years before. From the moment the first speller bounded onstage — last year’s Bee winner Chip Tolentino (Philippe Arroyo) — the theater sizzled with excitement. As each cast member arrived, they were greeted with great applause as these well-known actors are not only known for their remarkable stage work, but also for their work on screens both big and small.
Noah Galvin and the Company
The group of six brainy misfit spellers provide a comical and touching look at the life of a middle-schooler. Along with Chip, there’s Logainne SchwartandGrubenierre (Beanie Feldstein) who has two overly-attentive dads (hence the last name); Leaf Coneybear (Noah Galvin) whose family doesn’t believe he’s very smart; Olive Ostrovsky (Nina White) whose mother lives in an ashram in India and whose father has become emotionally distant; William Barfée (Kevin McHale) a socially awkward, stuck-up but likeable know-it-all whose secret to great spelling is his “Magic Foot”; and Marcy Park (Leana Rae Concepcion), the new girl who seems emotionally distant, focused solely on success. Each actor is so relatable that I re-discovered my own inner quirky middle schooler.
Bonnie Milligan
The chosen guest spellers provide an added sense of anticipation. They receive no preparation and are thrust into the midst of the “Pandemonium,” including the dances. The extra special guest middle-school spellers at my performance were the exuberant and cheerful Carla Hall, local celebrity chef, and actress Cobie Smulders of How I Met Your Mother fame and wife of Taran Killam, the SNL star who plays Vice Principal Douglas Panch.
Kevin McHale and the Cast
When guest speller Jack received his first word, “election,” Vice Principal Panch defined the word, then gave the sentence describing what most people in the audience seemed to agree with, that to relieve the stress of an upcoming election, it is best to see a musical comedy. I couldn’t agree more.
Nina White
But it was guest speller Vivienne who surprised the moderators of the Bee with her excellent vocabulary, and was given a few more difficult words in an attempt to eliminate her so the scripted show could continue. Finally, when she asked for a word to be used in a sentence, VP Panch said, “It would be good if you misspelled [a word] so we can get on with the show.”
Alex Joseph Grayson, Philippe Arroyo, and Cast
With the use of improv, each show is unique. Jokes are updated for current pop culture references. The character of Comfort Counselor Mitch Mahoney (Alex Joseph Grayson), who hands the losers a juice box, has been re-written to a trainer whose gym fell on difficult times during the pandemic.
Bonnie Milligan and Taran Killam
Spelling Bee balances light-hearted comedy with the emotional journeys of the young spellers. The humor is often sharp and witty, but beneath the surface, the characters’ personal stories — ranging from parental pressure to self-esteem issues — give the production emotional weight. Despite the humor, the show also includes more tender, introspective scenes, such as “The I Love You Song,” where Olive imagines her absent parents expressing their love and support.
Leana Rae Concepcion and the Cast
This musical comedy is a perfect way to escape the doldrums of life. You will be swept away to a world free of worries beyond wondering which cute “kid” is going to be crowned spelling champ. It is a playground where playful songs will have your toes tapping, your head bopping, and your thoughts dancing. Get your tickets with great A-L-A-C-R-I-T-Y.
Noah Galvin and the Cast
photos by Matthew Murphy
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
Broadway Center Stage at the Eisenhower Theater
one hour and forty-five minutes with no intermission
The Kennedy Center, 2700 F St NW in Washington, DC
ends on October 20, 2024
for tickets, visit Kennedy Center