Theatre Scarborough's production of the 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee delivers the energy and touchign moments that this show calls for.
Before talking direction and performance, I do want to shout out that the set for this show is one of the most immersive and impressive I have seen in this space in years. The entire theatre is transformed into the school gym, where the bee of the title takes place. The extent of detail includes school pennants and basketball nets above the audience, functional climbing bars, and the floor, though I know it is just painted, read realistically as gymnasium hardwood.
Ok, so the set looked good. how about the performances. As usual for this company, the cast was generally strong. I did get the feeling that the cast still needed to get more comfortable in their characters' skins, Without being able to pinpoint any specific moments, I felt that, generally, there was still a slight hesitancy in the performances, though I think that will fade over the run.
That said, some moments stand out: Richard Burdett ad Vice-Principal Panch brings deadpan delivery of the words and definitions toa new hilarious peak. Leete Stetson embodies exuberance as Leaf Coneybear and Carson Betz as Chop Telentino gives a wonderful mix of awkwardness and embarassment as his unfortunate erection takes him from the running. Todd Appleton's Mitch Mahoney walks the line between bad boy and good guy. His Gospel number was a bit inconsistent, but his singing chops come through as the Father in The I Love You Song.
Nicole McCafferty's heartfelt devastation as Logainne SchwarzandGrubenierre is defeated reminds us of the pain of childhood. The awkwardly potential romance/friendship between Katie Wise's Olive Ostrovsky and Jeremy Crookston's William Barfee is lovely to watch. Rebecca Field's moment of epiphany as Marcy Park is spot on, and Shannon Lew brings a humanity to the role of Rona Lisa Peretti that can easily be overlooked.
Elizabeth Van Wyck's direction and Diane Klich's choreography ensure a vibrant kenetic experience. Most notable to me is the decision to leave the bleachers on which the children sit static and instead move the desk at which the teachers sit around the stage. This worked very well in the full thrust space.
And finally, the band, under command of Ellen Kestenburg, on-stage and part of the action, is strong as usual.
Recommended
The 25th Putnam County Spelling Bee runs until Feb. 20 at the Scarborough Village Theatre.