BROADWAY SNAP-SHOT
by Russell Bouthiller
Dateline: June 2, 2005
THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE
How do you spell achievement? Well, in THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE, the adorable new musical composed by William Finn, a book by Rachel Sheinkin and conceived by Rebecca Feldman, one must employ the uppercase. Directed by James Lapine, SPELLING BEE graduates from its junior varsity digs at Second Stage to an advanced level production at Broadway's Circle in the Square Theatre.
SPELLING BEE is one of those quaint little musicals that comes along every season or so and gives the big guys a run for their money. During this award season, with SPAMALOT and DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS basking in all their glory, SPELLING BEE stands out as that Dark Horse candidate that gets people (like me) saying, "Who knows? It could just come from behind and win it all." Remember AVENUE Q?
With direction by the highly accomplished James Lapine and a score by the Tony-winning William Finn (FALSETTOS), it certainly has a plethora of pedigree. As for the book, Rachel Sheinkin earned this year's Tony for her efforts. And, what's more exciting than a collection of fresh talent—many of whom are making their Broadway debuts—creating a dynamic ensemble and propelling a small show into a bigger arena?
Finn facilitates this by giving each actor contestant equal opportunity to shine in song as they highlight their character's major malfunction. Asian wiz-kid Marcy Parks (Deborah S. Craig) gripes about being an over-achiever. Leaf Coneybear (Jesse Tyler Ferguson) gripes about being an under-achiever. Olive Ostrivsky (Celia Keenan-Bolger ) has inattentive parents. Logainne Schwartzandgrubeniere (Sarah Saltzberg ) has two gay parents. William Barfee (Dan Fogler) has a magic foot. And, Chip Tolentino (Jose Llana) has an typically overactive adolescent libido.
Lisa Howard as Rona Lisa Peretti and Jay Reiss as Douglas Panch are the adult moderators for the title match. Derrick Baskin as Mitch Mahoney picks up the rooting section. And, regular folk recruited from the audience before the show begins serve as filler contestants destined to go down in flames when confronted with some of the most obscure words in the English language.
Director James Lapine does a stupendous job presenting a big event in the life of a small community. Group numbers spin with excitement and more intimate moments are warmly amusing and sharply focused. All around, performances are excellent, thanks to the able engineer of this little engine that could. Dan Fogler stands out as the acerbic nasal nerd and walked off with this year's Tony for Best Featured Actor in a Musical.
Scenic designer Beowulf Boritt turns the entire Circle in the Square Theatre into a middle school environment. Posted along the lobby's concrete block walls and carried on inside the theatre are pennants and banners rooting on the Putnam Piranhas. There are photos of pubescent students and signs proclaiming this to be a "Bully Free Zone," sounding out the modern-day mantra of self-esteem. No need, really. This is a show that both faculty and student body can be proud of.