One of my favorite shows of the moment is The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. The show is entirely original and unique, with well-rounded, completely formed characters that you've never met before in any other story. It is absolutely hilarious while having some beautifully touching moments that are genuine instead of sappy. The songs are carefully crafted, move the plot along and are never boring. They don't sound like the same old stuff rehashed. Nothing about this show is rehashed. It's completely fresh and one of the best shows of the last ten years.
I don't want to give away anything about the show because I truly think everyone should go see this. Even people that don't normally see a lot of theatre would really enjoy this. Especially if you have an edgy sense of humor. Productions outside of NYC are popping up now, too. So just a quick synopsis - the show takes place at a Spelling Bee and the contestants are a bunch of geeky, misfit kids. In addition, at every show, four members of the audience are chosen to spell along with the cast for almost half the show. In addition to the kids, there are the two school adminitrators running the Bee and Mitch the Comfort Counselor, a parolee doing community service where he comforts the losers of the Bee with a hug and a juice box. As the show progresses, we learn about each character as the spell and mispell often with hilarious and sweet results - what brought them to the Bee, how much they want to win, what losing means, and who they are.
Last night, my friend PJ and I tried to win lotto - you put your name into a drawing and if they pick you, you can purchase two tickets at $25 each for that evening's performance - but we lost. Fortunately we were able to do standing room and halfway through got to sit in the $100 seats. My favorite - Jesse Tyler Ferguson - was out, as was Celia Keenan Bolger. But I am thrilled to report that Todd Buonopane was outstanding as Leaf Coneybear! Completely different take on the role. Instead of doing an imitation of Jesse's Leaf he made the role his own and it worked in every way. Kate Wetherhead went on as Olive and also did an incredible job. I'm not sure how many times she has gone on but you'd think she played the part every night.
Celebrity spotting! When Mr. Panch came down the aisle at the start of the show and hit some audience members in the face with the American flag - who did he hit? Jeremy Piven!
http://www.spellingbeethemusical.com/index.htm
1 comment:
Mark and I saw this a month or so ago. Truly a good original show in what was a train wreck of a season.
No celebrities when I went.. but the audience participation was aweosome. This one guy just could not get a word wrong.. I think they eventually made one up!
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