Steadstyle Chicago
May 2009 Theatre Review by Joe Stead
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
Can you spell H-I-L-A-R-I-T-Y? If not, you should book a ticket immediately to "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee". The surprise Broadway hit musical, conceived by Rebecca Feldman with a book by Rachel Sheinkin and score by William Finn, made its Chicago debut three years ago in a Broadway in Chicago sit-down run at Drury Lane Water Tower Theatre, and it's still the funniest show in town in the breezy new production at the Marriott Theatre in Lincolnshire. In fact, with the present cast it is now as confident musically as it is in the book department. That is because Director Rachel Rockwell has secured 9 stalwart talents who are equally superb comediennes and accomplished vocalists. And while Finn's offbeat score is still the show's sole weak element, it is at least being given a thrilling rendition by the Marriott cast.
From the moment hostess Rona Lisa Peretti (the sublime Roberta Duchak) welcomes us and reminds us we're not in church but at the "Spelling Bee," we heave a collective sigh and smile. Anyone who remembers standing before a large assembly and having to spell some ridiculously obscure word knows the world in which these characters dwell. The six finalists are all united by their "extraordinary ability and love of language." But don't let them fool you. Ultimately, there can be only one winner and for the classic over-achievers out there that means a race to the death.
So what's so amusing about watching a stage full of grammar school geeks singing and spelling for two hours? For one thing, the definitions and word usage provided by Assistant Principal Douglas Panch (played to droll perfection by Michael Weber) are so inane you may bust a gut from laughing. The addition of four "volunteer" spellers chosen from the audience adds a delightful level of spontaneity. On opening night one of the "guest" spellers proved to be more capable than planned, prompting Weber to whip out a bright red "killer" word guaranteeing the elimination. Well, who said life was fair after all? Disappointments and failures are par for the course in "Spelling Bee," whose motto is "The best spellers don't always win".
At the Marriott, however, everyone in this gloriously wacky musical riot is a winner. Each character has his or her own delightful quirks that quickly dispel the obvious stereotypes. William Barfee (Eric Roediger) spells with the aid of his "magic foot". Leaf Coneybear (Derrick Trumbly) is the "Not that Smart" spazz who somehow makes it to the final when some miraculous light bulb pops off in his head.
Logainne Schwartzandgrubenierre (Brandy McClendon) is the child of two gay dads who desperately yearns for approval. Marcy Park (Katie Boren) is sick and tired of being "the best and brightest" and longs to disappoint. Chip Barrington (Michael Mahler) is a hormonal boy scout whose hormones may get between him and the prize. Olive Ostrovsky (Heidi Kettenring) is the product of a broken home and the proverbial underdog. Providing soulful compassion to the losers is Comfort Counselor Mitch Mahoney (Kevin Smith Kirkwood), a parolee serving his community service sentence along with a juice box to the eliminated. From start to finish, "Spelling Bee" is a hoot and a hit.
"The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" plays through July 19, 2009 at The Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive in Lincolnshire. The show runs just over 2 hours with intermission. Performances are Wednesdays at 1:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m., Thursdays and Fridays at 8:00 p.m., Saturdays at 4:30 p.m. and 8:00 p.m., and Sundays at 1:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. Tickets are $45.00, excluding tax and handling fees. A $5.00 discount for students and seniors is valid for all performances excluding Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 p.m. With the purchase of a $55 ticket on Wednesdays and Thursdays, dinner in either Kings Wharf or Fairfield Inn restaurants is included (based on dining availability). Dinner packages for Friday, Saturday and Sunday performances range from $32-$43. Free parking is available at all performances. To reserve tickets with a major credit card, call The Marriott Theatre Box Office at (847) 634-0200 or visit www.marriotttheatre.com.
About Joe Stead
Joe
Stead has enjoyed a lifelong passion for the theatre, which has
involved acting, directing, producing, designing and reviewing for
the past twenty-five years. He served as founder, producer and
Artistic Director of Curtain Up Productions in Baltimore, Maryland
and Four Star Players in Tampa, Florida. Favorite productions
have included "Life With Father," "Deathtrap,"
"The Odd Couple," "The Miracle Worker,"
"Brighton Beach Memoirs," "You're A Good Man, Charlie
Brown" and "Godspell". He has also performed
leading roles in "Fiddler on the Roof," "Pippin,"
"The Phantom of the Opera," "The Front Page," and
most recently as Hucklebee in "The Fantasticks" for
Waukegan Community Players. Joe holds a degree in Commercial
Art from Tampa Technical Institute. As a critic, he has
reviewed everything from Broadway to community theatre and major
regional theatres throughout the United States including the Kennedy
Center in Washington, D.C., Paper Mill Playhouse in New Jersey,
Goodspeed Opera House in Connecticut, and the Asolo Theatre in
Sarasota, Florida.
Since 1998, he has been a proud resident of Chicago, the greatest theatre city in America. He served for two years as Theatre Editor for College News and Central Newspapers. He created the website Steadstyle Chicago in 2000 to showcase the city's outstanding and diverse theatre scene. Joe was proud to serve alongside a distinguished panel of theatre professionals as a judge for two seasons of Speaking Ring Theatre's "Vitality" Festival of original short plays. His most fulfilling role, in addition to reviewer and all-around theatre fanatic, was as director of the 2007 production of Peter Shaffer's "Equus" at Actors Workshop (now Redtwist) Theatre, which was nominated for five Joseph Jefferson Award Citations and won for Best Actor (Peter Oyloe).
Second Thoughts by Alan Bresloff
Over the years, the press releases and ads for "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" have read "Can you spell H-I-L-A-R-I-O-U-S ?" to get people in the mood for a fun time at the theater. Guess what? It is! And to make it even better Marriott Theatre in Lincolnshire's production is one glorious laugh-filled theatrical experience. Anyone who doesn't have a good time at this one is either D-E-A-D or needs immediate attention. Directed and choreographed by Rachel Rockwell this in-the-round production is filled with some of the area's most talented actors who can sing and dance to boot. From the very onset, it is one laugh after another with some great H-O-O-T-S in between.
How do you spell funny? Michael Mahler as Chip is as delightful as ever with that combination of Billy Crystal and Robert Morse, and his Jesus is a riot. Eric Roediger as William Barfee (pronounced Barfey) moves well for a larger man. And Derrick Trumbly as Coneybear. These three alone will have you in stitches, but wait there's more! Roberta Duchak (one of my favorites) handles Rona Lisa Peretti, our M.C. with great style and comic touch along with her co-M.C. Vice Principal Panch, a wonderful dry touch by Michael Weber.
Katie Boren is a delight as Marcy Park and her "I Speak Six Languages" number truly makes use of the theater-in-the-round set by Thomas M. Ryan. Brandy McClendon deftly handles the role of Logainne Schwartzandgrubenierre, daughter of two fathers, one Jewish one African American and of course both gay. We also have Mitch (Kevin Smith Kirkwood), a parolee who is doing public service by maintaining order and handing each speller eliminated a juice box and a hug. And last but certainly not least, "Putnam" serves as the welcome back party for Heidi Kettenring who returns to Marriott's stage after three years in "Wicked". As always, she is dynamite and her "The I Love You Song" is pure magic, the only moment that is not comical in the show. Quite a cast and quite a production!
For those of you who do not know the story, this started out as a non-musical sort of improv done by "The Farm". William Finn was brought in to do the music and lyrics for the book by Rachel Sheinkin conceived by Rebecca Feldman. It went from off-Broadway to Broadway and won two Tony Awards in 2005. Its touring company here at Drury Lane Water Tower Place also did well. It is a super smart musical that allows the audience to forget whatever may have bothered them when they walked in the door of the theater.
The story is about six kids who are not considered "mainstream" and have different reasons for being in the "Bee". Along the way, we learn more about each of them and the two "adults" in charge. We learn that losing doesn't make one a loser. To add to the comedy, four audience members are brought onstage in the very beginning and also asked to spell words. One by one they will be eliminated, but once in awhile, they get a good speller, as happened opening night, and they have to bring out the "red cards" (words that are nearly impossible) to make sure they have all the audience members off the stage before intermission.
The "Bee" is a riot and it is suggested that children under the age of 13 not be brought due to some language and one particular song that starts the second act. It is a riot but not for kids. Again, if you are looking for a fun theatrical experience, this is the one to see, but you only have until July 19. That may sound like a long time, but with Marriott's huge subscription base and many summer visitors to the resort, I urge you to get on the phone or online as quickly as you can.