The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
By Rachel Sheinkin and William Finn. Canterbury Theatre Guild. Director: Rachael Thompson. Canterbury Bowling Club. April 19 – 28, 2013

Adults play kids absolutely joyously in this delightful little musical – something they also do so often in the best productions of equally engaging shows like You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown and Small Poppies – finding resonances of all our childhoods, and inner childhoods.

An aging bowling club auditorium, feeling just like many an older school hall or gymnasium, has the perfect ambience for this heart-warming little musical about six nerdish kids gathered for a fiercely competitive regional Spelling Bee. A basic setting, effective, unobtrusive lighting, judiciously used LED effects and just-right costuming complete the picture.

The Spelling Bee provides a situation full of delightfully realised humour, and by cutting away from the action of the Bee to internalized songs, it’s also a little musical full of heart.

You’d be hard-pressed to assemble a stronger, better-balanced singing and acting ensemble in Sydney community theatre, all playing their roles with the absolute truth and belief so vital for the piece to work as beautifully as it does on this occasion.

Melissa Goman is top-notch as the compere (and former winner) Rona Lisa Peretti, anchoring the show securely.

The six quirky kids are delightfully and credibly developed as individuals. Anita Margiotta’s Olive is achinglyshy, awkward and insecure. Philby Mack’s Chip Tolentino is more mini-jock than nerd, struggling deliciously to deal with puberty. Jess-Yvette Hansby’s Marcy Park gives attitude to burn, but it’s all a front. Clinton Griffiths’ William Barfee isborderline Aspergers, sensitively portrayed. Rosemarie Olk’s Logainne Schwartzand-Grubenierre has two fathers, and confidently champions student rights, but carries a heavy burden of parental expectation. She balances the character’s lisp with the need for clarity impressively. Brad Facey’s Leaf Coneybear is a gentle eccentric soul.  

Michael Gooley’s tightly-wound Vice Principal Panch constantly feels like he’s on the edge of a breakdown, while Sam Ardasinski’s Mitchell Mahoney really conveys the out-of-his-element ex-con on community service, handing out the consolation prizes.

Splendidly supported by Cathy Boyle’s compact band, and well-balanced sound engineering from Jessica Legg, the score is delivered to great advantage.

I’ve enjoyed several productions of this gentle little charm musical now, but none more than this one.

Neil Litchfield

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