PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE EARNS STRAIGHT As!





 

 

Once again, Washington County’s rich theater community has introduced us to a show we’ve never seen – this time, Theatre in the Grove’s production of The 25^th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee – and it is well worth the drive to Forest Grove. A small-time spelling bee seems an unlikely subject for musical comedy, but director Zach Centers and his nine-person cast (all adults, and aided by three somewhat befuddled audience members) deliver two hours of fast-paced humor, pathos, and angst that manages to preserve some of the improvisational flavor of the show’s origin.

The story centers on six eccentric schoolchildren (of indeterminate ages) who are competing in the fictional Putnam County’s annual spelling bee. Last year’s winner, Chip, is a somewhat hyperactive boy scout who is competing against Logainne, a young girl being raised by her two fathers, Leaf, a dim and insecure boy who yearns for his family’s acceptance, William, an obsessively competitive nerd, Marcy, a perennially and parentally driven overachiever, and Olive, an impoverished but optimistic lost soul wending her way through life with little parental support. The competition is ill-managed by three pseudo-adults – Rona Lisa Peretti, who will never recapture the long-lost glory of her own spelling bee victory, angry and frustrated Vice Principal Panch, who will never be a principal (or very bright), and surprisingly empathetic Mitch Mahoney, the unlikely ex-con “comfort counselor” working off his community service hours by handing out hugs and juice boxes to eliminated contestants.

In a cast with no weak links, a few performances really demand special recognition. Brittney Spady (as Logainne Schwartzandgrubenniere) is by far the most successful at capturing the essence of awkward childhood. Her unusual lisp and effervescent outlook combine to capture the persona of a truly nice little girl.  In contrast, Jason Yates (Vice Principal Panch) does a great job of portraying the classic public school martinet – everything by the book; what little power he has comes from dominating the weak. His stunning transformation at the end of the bee gives us hope that even the coldest bureaucrat may harbor some human tendencies. Brittany Bickel (as Olive Ostrovsky) really sells the whole show – her poignant enthusiasm provides a stark counterpoint to the “win at any cost” ethic of the competition, and the audience, like Panch, ultimately falls in love with this sensitive underdog.

Vocal director Justin Canfield (who also plays William) draws strong ensemble work as well as interesting solo performances (some lovely, some deliberately quite awful) from the cast.  The small but mighty orchestra, conducted by Alicia Barrett, provides just the right musical touch – ranging from barely discernible to strident depending on the demands of the moment. Light designer Ward Ramsdell makes it possible for the cast to shift from high school gymnasium to intimate flashbacks and dreamlike spots.

TITG mainstay Zachary Centers (who served as costume and set designer in addition to his directorial role) has succeeded in capturing an often hilarious episode in the lives of  his “children” that shows them negotiating the tricky waters between childhood innocence and  adult realities (some of which render the show inappropriate for very young children). The Bee has two more weeks to run, and anyone who enjoys live musical theater will find a lot to like about this remarkable production.

The 25^th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is playing at Theatre in the Grove, 2028 Pacific Avenue, Forest Grove through April 21^st with performances Friday and Saturday at 8:00 p.m. and Sunday matinees at 2:30 p.m.