Music Theater Works presents THE 25th ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE.
Smart kids compete against each other in a spelling bee. The creative team of Rachel Sheinkin (book) and William Finn (music and lyrics) take an ordinary school function add in obsessed students blend it all up with an upbeat score. The result is pure e-n-t-e-r-t-a-i-n-m-e-n-t.
Former spelling bee winner and local realtor mogul (played by the effervescent Neala Barron) facilitates the competition. She kicks off the show with a powerhouse solo in “My Favorite Part of the Bee.” Her co-host is the burned-out vice-principal (played by Zach Kunde). When students ask for a definition or the word to be used in a sentence, Kunde drily delivers the zinger with Barron piling on the humor with a look or comment.
The students are the focal point. And they each bring their own brand of quirky hilarity. Although the entire ensemble spells, sings and dances like champs, there are a few particularly memorable characters. Joe Lewis (Leafy) charms as a homeschooled bumpkin. He delights as the kid that doesn’t expect to win but enjoys every moment of the experience. His song “I’m not that smart” is totally adorbs. Will Koski (Barfee) is hysterical as a foot-spelling oddity. He also regularly corrects the mispronunciation of his last name. And the spritely Jamie Dillion Grossman (Logianne) brings it as an aggressive opponent… physically and mentally.
Director and Choreographer Christopher Pazdernik underscores the kids play! He works in a cookie snack time. He adds in hula hoops and a parachute. And he invites the audience to play along. The BEE is an interactive musical. Guests are invited on stage to participate. Their words start out simple and get more difficult until all the non-cast members have lost. The losers receive a hug and a juice box from the comfort counselor (played by the Michael Davis Arnold). Then, the ensemble sings each of them off with a “Goodbye” song reminiscent of the iconic Von Trapp kids’ exit.
The laughs come easy in this light-hearted romp. Just beware, the show is nice and n-a-u-g-h-t-y. Some of the humor isn’t quite kid-friendly. Still, it’s just what you need for a winter break. How do you spell fun? T-H-E-T-W-E-N-T-Y-F-I-F-T-H-A-N-N-U-A-L-P-U-T-N-A-M- C-O-U-N-T-Y-S-P-E-L-L-I-N-G-B-E-E! It’s a w-i-n-n-e-r!!
Running Time: One hour and fifty minutes without an intermission
At North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie, 9501 Skokie Blvd.
Conceived by Rebecca Feldman
Additional material by Jay Reiss
Music and lyrics by William Finn
Book by Rachel Sheinkin
Directed and choreographed by Christopher Pazdernik
Performances are:
Fridays, Saturdays at 7:30pm
Wednesdays, Saturdays, Sundays at 2pm
Thru March 31st
For more information or tickets
Production photos by Brett Beiner
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