The 25th Annual
Putnam County
Spelling Bee

Photo Credit: Alan Martin/AMSI

Reviewed by: Jim Briscoe on 4 July 2022
Venue: Little Theatre - Southport
Date: 29 June - 2 July 2022
Type of Production:  Musical
Music & Lyrics - William Finn  Book - Rachel Sheinkin Conceived by Rebecca Feldman
Additional Material - Jay Reiss    Originally Directed on Broadway - James Lapine
Directed by Stephen Hughes-Alty
Musical Director: Adam Dutch
Choreographer: Pippa Morris

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee a musical performed by Southport Spotlights Musical Theatre Society on Thursday 30th June, 2022 at The Little Theatre, Hoghton Street, Southport.

Based upon an improvisational play called C-R-E-P-U-S-C-U-L-E, created by Rebecca Feldman, this Musical Comedy, with music and lyrics by William Finn, from a book by Rachel Sheinkin, conceived by Rebecca Feldman with additional material by Jay Reiss… tells the story of six quirky adolescents from Putnam Valley School who vie for a ‘spelling championship’ run by three equally quirky grown-ups. While candidly disclosing funny and poignant stories from their home lives, the ‘tweens’ spell their way through a series of (potentially made-up) words, hoping never to hear the soul-crushing, pout-inducing, life un-affirming "ding" of the bell that signals a spelling mistake.

Six spellers enter; one speller leaves! At least the losers get a juice box!

It was the 6th February, 2020, almost two and half years ago, that I last had the pleasure of seeing Southport Spotlights on stage when they performed Sunset Boulevard; a great deal has changed since then, but what had not changed was the enthusiasm, energy and commitment shown by every member of this cast which was fully appreciated by the society’s loyal followers! What also had not changed was the ability of Stephen Hughes-Alty (Director) to get the very best out of every cast member under his charge! I have said this before and will no doubt say it again, but every person in a Stephen Hughes-Alty directed production is there for a purpose, always interested, always involved and their reactions never look forced or staged... well done Stephen great job sir! Congrats also to Pippa Morris (Choreographer) for some simple yet effective choreography, which played to the strengths of all the cast and congrats to Adam Dutch (Musical Director) for another job well done.

Anyone who has read any of my reviews will know that this is where I usually ‘stick my neck out’ and identify my personal favourite performances or moments from a production! But, having now had the privilege of not only seeing this production in rehearsal, but now on stage, I am of the opinion that the success of this show relied not an individual, although the ability to create the many distinctive, individual, quirky characters who tell their stories through song and flashback, were obviously important, but I believe it was as important or even more important that those individuals came together as a team… and from what I saw in rehearsal and on stage that evening… that was accomplished and more!

So, having said all that, I do feel it would be remiss of me not to make mention of the entire ‘cast’ and then to highlight some personal favourite characters and moments from the show……

The Cast: comprised of six quirky, slightly troubled American teenagers who were competing in ‘The Bee’…

Natasha Athey took on the role of ‘Olive Ostrovsky’ probably the most normal of the bunch but who lacked the entrance fee for ‘The Bee’! A shy, timid girl whose ‘best friend’ is her dictionary, which she uses to compensate for the lack of parental love! Natasha made this part her own, great stage presence, totally believable character, well done, be proud! Toni Spofforth took on the role of ‘Marcy Park’… the ‘strait-laced’ ‘All American Girl’, who speaks six languages but takes herself far too seriously! Again, great stage presence, totally believable, be proud Toni, great job! Corinna Davies created the character ‘Logainne SchwartandGrubenierre’ (perhaps the surname should have been included in the competition), the youngest competitor in ‘The Bee’. Politically aware, has a major desire to make her two gay fathers proud ... a ‘neat freak’ who speaks with a ‘lisp’... another with stage presence aplenty, brilliant job with the lisp, which was there throughout, great job Corinna, be ever so proud! Chris Seery took on the role of ‘William Morris Barfée’, a young man with just ‘one working nostril’ and a ‘magic foot’ used to tap out the words he has to spell! A loner, who develops a crush on ‘Olive’… great characterisation

‘I KNOW’… great stage presence ‘I KNOW’ well done Chris great job… ‘I KNOW’! We then have the returning holder from ‘The 24th Bee’… Charlito ’Chip’ Tolentino played ever so well by Rob MacGregor. A Boy Scout who is finding ‘puberty’ rather difficult and when his ‘erotic thoughts’ distract him he finds himself eliminated! Larger than life character, great mannerisms ... spot on Rob, be proud! Last but not least Lucas Goodman took on the role of ‘Leaf Coneybear’, a young man who dresses like a ‘Superhero’ and who has an ‘Attention Disorder’. ‘Leaf’ spells his words whilst in a trance and seems to get loads of questions on ‘South American Rodents! Great characterisation, great stage presence, made this part his own... well done, Lucas, be proud!

Phil Hunter took on the role of ‘Mitch Mahoney’ – an ex-convict currently doing Community Service as the ‘Official Comfort Counsellor’ at ‘The Bee’… ‘Mitch’ has no idea how to offer comfort to anyone! Great characterisation, good stage presence, job well done Phil, be proud sir! The Ensemble numbered just four or ‘was it eight’ / I will explain as I move on! We had a ‘Head Girl’, a ‘Deputy Head Girl’ and two perfect ‘Prefects’ played ever so well by Mia Scott, Chloe Morris, Natalie Mott and Laura-Jane Palmer-Farrar respectively. The ‘fab four’ did a really good job supporting the principals and has previously stated… never looked anything but involved and interested, well done ladies, great job! So where do the other four come from I hear you ask … well ‘four members’ of the audience were ‘named and shamed’ and invited to join the ‘spellers’ on stage and actually took part in ‘The Bee’… different, but scripted I think!!!!

Finally, can I now please identify MY personal favourite characterisations… Lauren King and Peter Forshaw took on the roles of ‘Rona Lisa Peretti’ and ‘Vice Principal Douglas Panch’ and stole the show for me! Lauren’s interpretation of ‘Rona Lisa Peretti’ the number one realtor (estate agent) in Putnam County and a previous winner of ‘The Bee’, who adores children but who can become very stern when dealing with Vice Principal Panch, was a perfect fit for this role; great stage presence, brilliant characterisation and a voice to ‘kill for’! Well done Lauren amazing job! Peter looked so comfortable as ‘Principal Panch, who is infatuated with Rona, but frustrated with life! Banished from ‘The Bee’ thirteen years previously after ‘an incident’, but is now in a ‘better place’ thanks to a high fibre diet! Great interpretation, great stage presence, totally believable… well done Peter, brilliant job!

MY favourite moment…had to be ‘without doubt’ the song ‘THE I LOVE YOU SONG’… ‘loved it, loved it, loved it’! Sung to perfection by Natasha Athey (Olive), Lauren King (playing her mum) and Rob MacGregor (playing ‘Olive’s Dad). A song that I’d never heard before… which had great harmonies, sung with such feeling and emotion and which told a great story… be proud guys, outstanding rendition!

The Band… under the control of Adam Dutch (Musical Director), included Corey Gerrard (Keyboard), Sarah Dutch (Reeds) and Trevor Bartlett (Percussion). The band did a great job supporting the cast and the production. I did feel there were times, especially during some solo performances, when the volume did slightly overpower the singers, but overall, great sound, well-done guys, be proud!

Set/Technical… a minimal single set was used throughout was under the control of Andrea Shacksmyth-Claire with a support from Joshua Jones (The set comprised of a number of chairs, a table, a rostrum and a huge ‘25th ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE’ banner draped high above and across the stage)! Lighting, as always, here at the Little Theatre was excellent… well done Alan Gosling and congrats to Laura Everett on ‘follow spot’. Sound was really good, although as previously suggested, I thought the band, at times were a little loud… but well-done Matt Hughes, good job sir! Props… were apt and well used… Costumes were great and looked appropriate… both under the ‘watchful eye’ of Tanya Steel.

Well, I will never ever look at ‘SPELLING’ in the same light again!! Stephen, in his programme notes, tells us that this musical was ‘different’… combining Drama, Musical Theatre, English plus, I am also going to suggest, a ‘challenging production’ to stage as well! But, from the laughter throughout, the applause, the reception at the end and response since, on social media, then there is little or no doubt about its success… you ‘nailed it’ guys!
It was so great to have ‘Spotlights’ back where they belong, doing what they do best! Thank you so much for inviting my wife and I, for your hospitality throughout, for allowing me to visit you during your rehearsal and to meet and speak with you all at the end of the show! Great job guys, be ever so proud…can’t wait to be ‘STEPPING OUT’ with you again next February…

Stay safe and keep well

Jim Briscoe
NODA North West
District 6 Rep