WHAT'S THE BUZZ? BEE SEASON SWARMS THE WINDY CITY!

Chicago's newest hit has left its stinger at the Drury Lane Theatre at Water Tower Place. The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee opened last week and it is the latest of sit-down productions to hit the Windy City, following in the footsteps of Wicked and Urinetown. The intimate house of the Drury Lane, now thankfully operated by "Broadway in Chicago", is the perfect setting for this production, in which Director, James Lapine, impeccably re-creates his Broadway staging.

Initially conceived as a play called C-R-E-P-U-S-C-U-L-E penned by Rebecca Feldman, it got an Off-Broadway musical makeover with William Finn providing the music and lyrics and a revised book by Rachel Sheinkin. After a sell out run, it transferred to Broadway and became the winner of two 2005 Tony Awards (Best Book of a Musical & Best Featured Actor), which was no small task when up against S-P-A-M-A-L-O-T.

Bee tells the story of six pre-pubescent middle school students, as well as three members picked from the audience, spelling their way to the championship. At stake are a $200.00 savings bond and a trophy that is half the size of the pupils. However, the heart of this musical is the back story of each of the contestants and what drives them to compete and win. From the mucously challenged William Barfee (Eric Roediger, who will surely receive a Jeff nomination for this role) and his magic foot to Marcy Park (Jen Sese) and her gift of excelling at everything she attempts, the actors instantly win over the audience and take us on a wonderful ride. There is not one weak link in the talent on stage, but there are two standouts that must be mentioned. Lucia Spina who plays Rona Lisa Peretti, one of the two judges of the Bee and former winner of the competition, and Derrick Trumbly who plays Leaf Coneybear, whose autism kicks into high gear when called upon to spell a word. Spina has an alto belt equal to that of Patti LuPone, impeccable comic timing and a fan kick that would make any Rockette envious. Trumbly's performances (he also doubles as one of Logan Schwartzandgrubenierre's gay parents) are so dead on truthful that he commands every scene that he in. People who debate what the "it" factor is need to see Trumbly because there is no describing in words what he emanates from the stage; he just has "it". Again, all the talent is first rate and this is truly an ensemble show. Brad Weinstock has the groinally tormented Chip (who also doubles as a "parental figure") is hilarious; Cristen Paige as Olive delivers the sweetness of a Peanuts character, Christine Werny as the world's youngest political activist Logan Schwartzandgrubenierre, leaves the audience in stitches with her Cindy Brady lisp and dead-on comic timing, Bill Larkin as the under appreciated Douglas Punch is brilliant and the James Earl Jones II, who has one of the best voices in Chicago, shakes the chandelier of the gym with his big number. The last quarter of the show needs to be tightened up but I am sure that will come with a few more performances under the actors' b-e-l-t. If word of mouth is any indication on the longevity of this production, Chicagoans will be attending the Bee at the Putnam County Gym for years to come. For ticket information please visit: www.BroadwayinChicago.com

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