When we think about challenging times of a person’s life we most often think of the hormonal middle school years, or perhaps high school, when kids begin to figure out who they are and what they want in personal relationships. We tend to forget the earlier formative years where we learn the basics of being a human being living on the planet.
This fraught time in a kid’s life is the focus of TheatreWorks Silicon Valley’s production of “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,” now playing at the Lucie Stern Theatre in Palo Alto. From the very top of the show, when a former champion relives her first-place win twenty one years earlier, we see that what happens in childhood has a profound effect on who we become as adults. I must admit that I truly adore the book and music of this show, and have since I first saw it about 12 years ago. If there’s one thing that causes me great pain in the theatre, it’s seeing wonderful material that fails in its execution. It is safe to say that I was feeling no pain at the opening of TheatreWorks production—and I hadn’t had a drop to drink.
The entire ensemble works so well together—like the intricate, finely meshed gears in a Swiss watch. All performances are exceptional, but I will note a few that I find particularly outstanding. Molly Bell sparkles as former Bee champion and current host/judge Rona Lisa Peretti. Bell’s Rona Lisa carries on with a smooth confidence in the most awkward of situations. You could imagine her as a cruise director, smiling and directing you to the Lido deck as the ship is sinking. Jenni Chapman is great as the adopted and driven Logainne Schwartzandgrubenierre and Beau Bradshaw’s William Barfée is hilariously hypochondriacal. As the lonely, neglected Olive Ostrovsky, Maia Campbell is absolutely brilliant. Her portrayal of Olive is at turns heartbreaking and hilarious, and “The I Love You Song,” sung in trio with her parents (played by Bell and the wonderful Anthone Jackson) makes one’s heart ache for the little girl. Just brilliant.
Director Meredith McDonnough helms this production beautifully, and musical director William Liberatore has the performers’ voices soaring and blending marvelously. The choreography by Lee Ann Payne is simple and works very well. Andrea Bechert’s set is wonderfully mismatched and appropriately holiday themed. It’s exactly what you’d expect at a school event close to the holidays. Steven B. Mannshardt’s lighting is great, and Courtney Flores-Kerrigan’s costumes work well.
I guarantee that you will find something in common with at least one of the kids in “25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.” If you’re like me, you’ll laugh. You’ll tear up. You’ll feel empathy, which is what theatre is about. And you’ll have a good time doing it. So get yourself to the Lucie Stern Theatre in Palo Alto. You won’t regret it.
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Rating: **** (For an explanation of Theatrestorm’s rating scale, click here.)
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“The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.” Produced by TheatreWorks Silicon Valley. Music & Lyrics by William Finn. Book by Rachel Sheinkin. Conceived by Rebecca Feldman. Additional Material by Jay Reiss. Director: Meredith McDonnough. Music Direction: William Liberatore. Choreography: Lee Ann Payne. Scenic Design: Andrea Bechert. Costume Design: Courtney Flores-Kerrigan. Lighting Design: Steven B. Mannshardt. Sound Design: Jeff Mockus. Hair and Wig Design: Roxie Johnson.
Cast:
Rona Lisa Peretti: Molly Bell. Chip Tolentino: Dave J. Abrams. Logainne Schwartzandgrubenierre: Jenni Chapman. Leaf Coneybear: Blake Kevin Dwyer. William Barfée: Beau Bradshaw. Marcy Park: Mai Abe. Olive Ostrovsky: Maia Campbell. Douglas Panch: Christopher Reber. Mitch Mahoney: Anthone Jackson.
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