Review: 25th ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE at Clear Space Theatre Company

What can I say about the Clear Space production of "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee"? Go see it! That's my recommendation and it would be my review, but they don't pay me to be succinct. They don't pay me by the word, either.

I cannot point to any of the show's performers - Kyle Atkinson-Steele (Leaf Coneybear), David Button Chip Tolentino), Joseph Chubb (William Barfée), Jamie Ditzel (Olive Ostrovsky), Carissa Meiklejohn (Mitch Mahoney), Anthony Natoli (Douglas Panch), Ashley O'Donnell (Logainne SchwartzandGrubenniere), Melissa Pipher (Rona Lisa Perretti), Rose Slavin (Marcy Park) - as a stand-out talent because, in my estimation, they all are. This is a well-balanced cast of highly talented actor-singers. Full credit to them, of course, but full credit, as well, to Director David Warick for merging their performances into a well-crafted show, and to Musical Director Melanie Bradley for weaving and blending their voices into a wonderful harmony.

The cast ranges from highly experienced to high school student, but they each fully inhabit their character. Rona Lisa Barrett is the bee's moderator. A former (3rd Annual) bee winner, she still revels in the memory of her winning word - syzygy. She is assisted by a last minute replacement as pronouncer (and judge), Vice Principal Douglas Panch, who is apparently still dealing with issues that caused him problems a few years ago. To help ease mis-spellers from the "arena," they have Mitch Mahoney as a Comfort Counselor to guide (or impel) them out. The gig counts as Community Service for Mitch, who suppresses her instinctive response because, as she says, it would violate her parole.

Six contestants present the types one might just find at a bee. Chip Tolentino is a Boy Scout with an impressive collection of badges, returning to defend his title, but distracted by his hormonal development (and another contestant's sister in the audience). Logainne SchwartzandGrubenniere is politically active, with a lisp and two supportive dads. Leaf Coneybear was second runner-up in his district, but the winner's bat mitzvah left Leaf as their representative. He must compete with the other spellers and a lifetime of being told he's a loser. William Barfée (that's Bar-FAY!) was a finalist last year, defeated by a peanut allergy, with a rather unique mnemonic spelling tool - his foot. Marcy Park represents the local parochial school, Our Lady of Intermittent Sorrows, and is a driven polymath. Olive Ostrovsky is a spelling bee newcomer who's pretty much on her own; her mother's at an ashram in India and her dad's pretty busy. Her best friend is a really large dictionary at home.

The actors, young and old, bring these characters to life and provide a sympathetic connection for each with the audience. We gain insight into each through their interactions and through song and dance numbers that keep the show moving.

There are a few additional characters who briefly appear in dreamlike sequences - Olive's mom and dad, Logainne's dads, Jesus - roles doubled by the actors. To fill out the contestant roster, a few audience volunteers were enlisted. The words they were given to spell were not on a par with those given to the other contestants, as several of them objected, but things even out in the end.

The Clear Space production of "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" is lively, well-cast, well-performed, and well-produced. The communication of words and their spelling that is essential to a spelling bee is clearly shared with the audience by Kevin Carter's sound design. Every action, including the dream sequences is clearly illuminated by Brendan Smith's lighting design. [Disclosure: It's no coincidence that his last name is the same as mine. It is totally coincidental that Kevin Carter's first name is the same as mine.] The characters' costumes, designed by Mary O'Neill, reveal so much about the characters before they open their mouths; they suit them to perfection.

I highly recommend this show to everyone, with one caveat: While this show is about a middle school spelling bee, it is entertainment not specifically intended for kids. Most teens would probably be alright, but use your judgment if you're thinking about bringing a younger child. Nothing terribly traumatic; you just may have to answer questions you hadn't planned to handle yet.

"The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" continues at Clear Space Theatre Company until May 22. Performances at 7 PM on Thursday, May 12, Fridays and Saturdays, and on Sundays at 3 PM. Runtime approximately two hours, including intermission..

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