Lexington Park, MD – So you think you can spell? Even if you can’t, the production by the Newtowne Players at the Three Notch Theatre provides a hilarious version of what goes on during a spelling bee with Rebecca Feldman’s musical comedy, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, running through Feb. 28. Six quirky adolescent spellers participating in a fictional spelling bee held at the Putnam Valley Middle School (PMS, for short), run by three equally quirky adults, find out that winning (and losing) may not be everything.
The 2005 Broadway production was nominated for six Tonys; it won two – including Best Book (by Rachel Sheinkin), and Best Featured Actor (Dan Fogler). Music and lyrics are by William Finn. The original Broadway cast recording was nominated for a Grammy.
Unique aspects of this not-so-well-known musical boast four real audience members each night who are invited up onstage to “compete” and an official pronouncer, Douglas Panch (NTP veteran Paul Rose, demonstrating expert comedic timing) who offers ludicrous sentence examples to the perplexed competitors throughout the evening.
Directed by Michelle Ebert Freire, with choreography by Kristin Kauffman, Bee performances are scheduled for Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 3:30 p.m. To purchase tickets you may visit www.newtowneplayers.org, or you may call (301)737-5447. The Three Notch Theatre is located on S. Coral Drive in Lexington Park.
Act I begins with the PMS stage set for the evening’s competition. Set designer Jeff Maher has created an amazing revolving-bleachers feature. The self-assured, take-charge, super-efficient, number-1-realtor-in-the-area, moderator Rona Lisa Perretti (Stacey Park, beautifully costumed in red, white, and navy blue, complete with red peep-toe heels) enters to adjust the mike. While doing so, she reflects upon her former glory days as the winner of the Third Annual Bee with the word “syzygy”. Say this character’s name out loud to enjoy the full impact of how funny it is.
The six child competitors enter and introduce themselves, revealing the two things that they all have in common: a multitude of personal quirks, and the fact that they all love to spell. Director Friere has effectively staged the opening number to show off each character’s individual personality, choreographed exuberantly by Kauffman. In her director’s notes, Michelle describes the six spellers as “lovable, vulnerable and a bit fragile…which makes for one hell of a funny show” – and this is indeed, true!
The four audience participants are called to the stage, bringing the total to ten spellers. At the Sponsor’s Night performance, the audience spellers included Russ Dean as #4 (he correctly spelled “fandango”), Pam Berry as #7 (who evaded the dismissal bell with her Iowa spelling of “Mexican”), LHS teacher Guy Barbato as #10, and Tiffany Lunn as #5 (who missed “tamagachi”). All four of the volunteers were extremely good sports in being selected; they seemed so completely at home on the stage, assimilating quickly into the ensemble, that it was hard to believe they’d been given but a few minutes of preparation for their cameo roles.
We also meet Vice-Principal Douglas Panch (returning as Judge after five years), and JR Cook – obviously enjoying his role as Comfort Counselor Mitch Mahoney – an ex-con fulfilling his community service obligation with the Bee. It is his job to manage any possible “meltdowns” and to escort those who are eliminated offstage with a juice box reward, as the cast sings “Goodbye.”
“The Spelling Rules” are reviewed, and then it’s time to spell!
The spellers take their turns, charming the audience with their idiosyncrasies. Credit goes to director Friere for expertly matching each actor to the perfect role!
First up is Hailey Leukhardt, who affects a sweet lisp as Logainne, #1. She is the youngest member at the bee, the most politically aware, and has two gay fathers, who help her study in flashbacks.
Tim Joyce as #2, Leaf Coneybear, goes into a trance to spell his words. Leaf is home-schooled, and is the second runner-up in his district. Tim’s performance is completely believably loopy as he insists that he likes to spell, even though he’s “not that smart”. His winsome personality is most evident after his attempt to spell “chinchilla”.
Lindsey Norris as Olive, #3, (switch the “o” and the “i” and her name becomes “I love”) sings fervently about her love for the dictionary. Lindsey has many opportunities throughout the evening to demonstrate her talents in acting and singing as she portrays this multi-faceted character.
Jonathan Berry as William Barfee, #6, has perfected his “magic foot” method of first spelling his words on the floor. William was a finalist last year and he has many allergies; he is especially allergic to peanuts. Mr. Berry convincingly plays this young student. Jonathan reveals his strong singing voice in his showstopper song “Magic Foot”, with the spellers as his backup chorus.
Katie Hutchison is #8, Marcy Park. Marcy is a transfer student from Virginia who placed ninth at last year’s nationals, and speaks six languages.
Brandon Maher is #9, Chip Tolentino. Chip is a Boy Scout and is the 24th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee Champ. Will he be able to duplicate his previous success in this Bee? His role requires him to be all over the stage as well as out into the audience. He is enamored of the lovely Marigold, and blames her for the effect on a significant part of his anatomy which has caused him to be eliminated; the audience howled as he sang “Chip’s Lament” which opens Act II. As Chip is escorted from the Bee, JR Cook is afforded the opportunity to deliver the show’s best line.
The spellers sing “Pandemonium” as they advance through the rounds, and Act I ends with a “Prayer”. (Act I flies by, managing to fit ten songs into the space of one short hour).
Eventually, the Bee comes down to the Final Four. Katie Hutchison gives a dynamite rendition, vocally, dramatically, and physically in the powerful delivery of her song “I Speak Six Languages” (listen for her high notes!). She invokes Jesus to give her a harder word to spell, and due to special lighting effects, Jesus himself appears, speaking French. But does he help her?
Stacey Park’s lovely singing voice is a highlight of the show many times throughout the evening, most especially as she doubles as Olive’s mother, who is away on a spiritual retreat in India, with JR Cook doubling as her dad in a flashback sequence -during one of the most poignant musical numbers (“I Love You”) – as Olive pours out her loneliness. Rona also sings of her favorite moment in the Bee, and the “duel” between the Final Two contestants begins.
These two remaining finalists are so personable and so fiercely dedicated to their spelling craft that it’s almost heartbreaking to watch the “playoffs” – complete with a singing and dancing backup group – as the winner accepts the trophy and a $200 check. Thankfully, this year, there is also a Runner-up Prize, graciously awarded by Mr. Panch. The cast tells us “what happens next” to these characters in the lead-up to the Curtain Call.
Hats off to the Production Crew who worked so hard to bring this energetic musical to life: choreographer Kristin Kauffman, Producer JR Cook, Artistic Director Jennifer Carnahan, Music Director Diana Trautman, Stage Manager Vicki Powalisz, Assistant Stage Manager Lewis Beckley, Set Designer Jeff Maher, Sound Designer Pete Butt, Lighting Designer Tom McCarthy, Props Manager/Set Dresser Kristen Kaiser, Costume Designer Joanne Fuesel, Graphic Designer Stacey Park, Technical Supervisor and NTP veteran David V. Groupe and musicians Pam Ansalvish (Flute), Mike Cahall (Keyboard), Tom Chedester (Bass Guitar), Zoey Coughlan (Cello), Ed Delmoreo (Percussion), and Gabriel Morales (Saxophone).
Additional Bee staff members include: Cheerleaders Colin Maher and Vicki Powalisz; Light Hang Crew members Lewis Beckley, Joe Bowes, Rachael Culver, Lisa Gregory, Erik Jensen, Dave Keyser, and Peter Klug; Light Board Operators Jessany Fogle, Lisa Gregory, Erik Jensen, and Amanda Scott; Sound Board Operator Tom McCarthy; Lobby Display Manager Rachael Culver; Running Crew Manager Colin Maher; Rehearsal Spellers Jason Bartz, Josh Beaver, Steven Budurka, Patricia Chavez, Alex David, Alison Dodges, Jake Dodges, Curt Dodges, Kristin Kauffman, Colin Maher, Jeff Maher, Jared Mathe, Richard Milla, Chloe Park, Justin Park, Jeff Ryan, Wade Thompson, Ben Wager, Stan Yowaiski, and Angelyn Zephyr; Set Builders and Painters Joe Bowes, JR Cook, Michelle Freire, Kristen Maher, Brandon Maher, Vicki Powalisz, Robert Rausch, and Rick Thompson; Set Design Team members Lewis Beckle, and Colin Maher; Properties Team Michelle Doubet; Lighting Team Chad Leo; and Photographer Greg Rumpf. Special thanks go out to Sponsor Hair It Is, and also to Mary Cook, Kevin Dyels, Debbie Gilligan, James LePore, Rick Thompson and Dawn Weber.
