The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, presented well, is great fun for an audience, and Laughing Horse Productions’ spirited rendition was very well received.

Simply staged, with the show’s solid 5-piece ensemble led by Musical Director Natalie Winsall, present on stage (and occasionally brought into the action). This intimate production included lots of audience involvement and extended the show into the auditorium. 

The six competing spellers in this production were particularly impressive, creating a tight sub-ensemble and working organically as a team. Strong and quirky characters and very likeable performances from Charlie Darlington as a very upright and earnest Chip Tolentino, Erin Craddock as a politically aware and anxious Logainne Schwartzandgrubinierre, Madeleine Shaw channelling Jenna Ortega’s Wednesday Adams to create an “all business” Marcy Park, Escher Roe adorable as the sweet Olive Ostovsky, and Timothy Tyrie finding depth and charm in the often hard to love William Barfee. I’m not sure the decision to gender flip the role of Leaf Coneybear served the show well - vocally or dramatically - but one couldn’t fault the performance of Megan Lilley - an absolute delight in this role - especially notable given that she was a very late addition to the cast.

Ella Monaghan and Jake Lippiatt are both noticeably too young for their roles as Spelling Bee host Rona Lia Peretti and word pronouncer Vice Principal Panch, but Monaghan is still very convincing, with strong improvisation skills and Lippiatt has a manic energy that works nicely. Vaughan Lowe completes the key cast well, slightly unnerving as ex-crim Mitch Mahoney, completing his community service as the Spelling Bee.

This production breaks with convention a little, using additional actors to play some of the support roles usually doubled by the cast. Jacquelyn Prosper brings lovely vocals to Olive’s Mum, Artemis Lockyer has good intensity as Dan Schwarz and Sheryl Gale and Emma-lee Sinclair work well together as Leaf’s family - but despite their best efforts this “half approach” (some roles are still doubled) feels a little lopsided. 

This production had a lovely warmth and sincerity that made it a joy to watch, and the direct address to the audience and audience participation very much made us both part of the action and very welcomed. A feel-good show that touched the audience.

Kimberley Shaw