by Joanne Engelhardt
When you put a terrific cast, a solid director and a fantastic orchestra together, the result can only be a highly watchable and entertaining musical production. And, at about 100 minutes in length (done without an intermission), there’s no doubt audiences will agree that the Foothill Music Theatre production of “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” is a delightful evening of theatre.
Added bonus: It’s funny, too. The actors playing the parts are natural comedians, and the play itself (book by Rachel Sheinkin, music and lyrics by William Finn) is witty as well.
If you’ve never seen “Spelling Bee” before, be prepared to sit back and chuckle your way through it, thanks to Milissa Carey’s spirited direction as well as Nicolas Valdez’s energetic musical direction.
Most people may remember taking part in spelling bees in elementary and high school – and for those who aren’t good at it, those memories probably aren’t happy ones. But others who are either gifted or dedicated spellers, the memories can be pleasurable.
The six lucky students who have spelled their way to Putnam County’s 25th annual Spelling Bee are all determined, enthusiastic and (of course!) terrific spellers. Each has his or her own idiosyncrasies or ways of helping them spell a word correctly.
There’s William Barfee (Daniel Rees McDonald) who spells out his words by using his “lucky foot” to draw each letter in the word. McDonald is hilarious as he jumps around the stage and bristles each time Vice Principal Douglas Panch (Doug Brook) mispronounces his last name (as barf-y rather than bar-fay).
As Leaf Coneybear, Andrew Cope is nothing short of laugh-out-loud silliness. He smiles proudly when it’s revealed he makes his own (quite outlandish) clothing. Logaine Schwartzandgrubenierre (Melissa Momboisse) obviously wants to be teacher’s pet, as she frequently jumps up to adjust the microphone to make sure it’s neither too high or too low for the next speaker.
Naomi Murray is a marvel as Midge Mahoney, aka “The Enforcer.” She sits at the back of the stage and whenever a speller spells a word incorrectly, she jumps up, hands them a juice box and marches them off the stage. She has a strong voice and also makes a very brief appearance as Jesus. Another fine performance (and strong voice) is turned in by Mackenzie Macdonald as Olive Ostrovsky.
Musical director/conductor Nicolas Valdez leads his seven-member orchestra through such idiocentric songs as “My Friend, the Dictionary,” “I’m Not That Smart,” “Magic Foot” and “Woe is Me.”
One of the conceits of the show is that for each performance, four audience members are chosen during a “pre-show random selection process” to go up on stage and join the actors. Just like the real actors, they are called on to spell words. If they’re correct, they get to stay for another round, but if they spell a word incorrectly, they take their place back in the audience. It’s a clever bit, and at the Sunday matinee performance, a couple audience members made it through one or two rounds before misspelling a word.
In short, theatregoers of all ages won’t go wrong taking in a performance of Foothill Musical Theatre’s “Spelling Bee” production. If there’s one nit, it perhaps lasts a tad too long. Like the spelling of Logaine’s last name.
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Rating: ***1/2 (For an explanation of TheatreStorm’s rating system, click here.)
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“The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” by William Finn and Rachel Sheinkin. Director: Milissa Carey. Music Director: Nicolas Valdez. Choreographer: Sarah Bylsma. Assistant Director: Amanda Korkunis. Scenic designer: Lynn Grant. Costume Designer: Y. Sharon Peng. Lighting Designer: Pamila Gray. Sound Designer: Elliott Orr. Properties Designer: Laura Merrill. Production Manager: Leigh Henderson. Stage Manager: Marte Abrahamsen. Props Supervisor: Emma Brail. Stage Crew: Bryant Cebreros. Lighting Board Operator: Kim Hing. Wardrobe: Lisa Rozman..
Cast
Olive Ostrovsky: Mackenzie Macdonald; Leaf Coneybear: Andrew Cope; Logainne Schwartzandgrubenierre: Melissa Momboisse; Chip Tolentino: Ryan Liu; Marcy Park: Crystal Gallardo; William Barfee: Daniel Rees McDonald; Rona Lisa Peretti: Sarah Bylsma; Midge Mahoney: Naomi Murray; Vice Principal Douglas Panch: Doug Brook; Barfee u/s, Olive’s Dad, Dan Dad: Milovan Bogdanic; Logainne u/s: Ayanna Brewer; Leaf u/s: Liran Friedman; Olive u/s: Katie Lannin; March u/s: Joy Lee; Olive’s Mom, Rona u/s: Lucy Nino; Chip u/s: Michael Pagee; Midge/Mitchel Mahoney u/s: Alexander Reyes; Logainne/Olive Swing: Sharon Wambu.
Musicians
Conductor, Keyboard: Nicolas Valdez; Cello: Joshua Mikus-Mahone and Myra Chachkin; Reed: Maria D’Aura, Diana Tucker; Percussion: Lane Sanders, Curt Anderson, Phoebe Chou.
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