BWW Reviews: SPELLING BEE Gets Big Laughs in Downtown Raleigh

The current production at Hot Summer Nights | Theatre Raleigh, The 25^th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee follows a group of kids (played by adults) as they navigate the fiercely competitive pre-teen spelling circuit. As the young characters compete for the top prize (a trip to Washington, DC to compete in nationals), they deal with social pressures, family tension, rampant hormones, and more. Don't let the plaid jumpers and pink overalls fool you - though this show is about kids, it's certainly for adults. The writing provides a grown-up's perspective on the chaos of pre-adolescence as the contestants proclaim that life is "Pandemonium." Audience members get in on the action as well, as several volunteers become contestants in the bee. Folks who are game for anything and don't mind some good-natured humor aimed their way should absolutely try their hand at the bee.

The ensemble cast of nine actors is fantastic. Cameron Caudill's Olive Ostrovsky is tender and touching without distracting from the comedy of the show, and Caudill's voice shines in Olive's songs "The I Love You Song" and "My Friend, the Dictionary." Jesse R. Gephart's Leaf Coneybear is perfectly quirky, the outward manifestation of the weird kid we all secretly are. Jeffrey Vizcaino's William Barfée (not to be confused with Barfee, mind you) is a lovable nerd who is surprised by the fact that anyone finds him likable. The ensemble is talented, and their innate sense of what makes good comedy is what brings the already amazing score and book to life.

The very nature of the show, especially with the audience participation, creates opportunities for improvised comedy, and the cast seizes those opportunities. Heather Hamby-Maggs as bee supervisor (and former champion) Rona Lisa Peretti and Sterling Hurst as Vice Principal Douglas Panch, the word caller, are in a particularly great position for such improv-style moments, and they do a great job capitalizing on the opportunity for humor. Each performance will have its own unique moments of comedy.

The cast seem to thrive under the direction of Lauren Kennedy, who clearly trusts the cast with the task of seizing comedic opportunities as they arise onstage, and has prepared them well. The entire creative and design team did great work - from Chris Bernier's scenic design featuring championship athletic banners laced with innuendo and a set of bleachers that spins to Legrande Smith's costume design, whose pièce de résistance is Leaf Coneybear's wonderfully bedazzled fanny pack.

Hot Summer Nights | Theatre Raleigh's stellar production of The 25^th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is pure joy and great fun. The 25^th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee runs through May 5^th. For tickets and more information, visit www.theatreraleigh.com.

Photo Credit: Curtis Brown

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