Blog

“Spells F-U-N For STAGES’ 40th Season

by Pat Lindsey

STAGES has launched its 40th anniversary season with a joyous musical revival of “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” at the Kirkwood Performing Arts Center. Its ensemble cast features six nerdy middle school students, played by adults, who compete for the coveted title of spelling bee champ. They are joined by three judges who enforce the rules, and volunteer contestants from the audience who add their own brand of quirkiness. Altogether, these eggheads create one hour and 45 minutes of fun.

The sole stage set created by scenic designer Rachel Seabaugh is a familiar middle school gym with one set of bleachers for the contestants and another for the audience. With Scripts Spelling Bee rules in mind, the contestants are called upon one at a time to walk to the microphone to spell their word. Each one makes the most of their moments in the limelight.

William Finn wrote the music and lyrics for the musical numbers that reveal much information about each contestant. The song entitled, “I’m Not That Smart” is sung by Matthew Cox who plays Leaf Coneybear, the caped wonder boy who glides around the stage on his heelies. “I Speak Six Languages” tells us a lot about Olive (Alexis Kinney), as does her splendid delivery of “The I Love You Song.” And “Magic Foot” speaks volumes about William Barfee (Bryce A. Miller), the allergic guy who spells out words with his foot. The other three contestants are Chip Tolentino (Michael Schimmele), the athlete who sings “Chip’s Lament”; Marcy Park (Sarah Wilkinson), the over-achiever whose voice graces several songs; and the politically astute Logainne Schwartzandgrubenierre (Abigail Isom) who has two dads and sings “Woe is Me”. The songs are not only character studies, but reminders of some of the issues that plague young adolescents. The excellent multi-talented cast directed by Ron Gibbs and Gayle Holsman have captured the idiosyncracies of adolescence through outstanding acting, singing, and dancing. They magically take the audience with them to days gone by.

The three adult judges are Rona Lisa Peretti (Jennifer Theby-Quinn); counselor Mitch Mahoney (Omega Jones); and Vice Principal Douglas Panch, who pronounces the words for the students. They are just as quirky as the kids.

When audience participation is incorporated in the show, there are always surprises and different twists and turns and lots of laughs during every performance. On the night I attended, Mr. Steincross was the volunteer star of the show. He was called to the microphone often to spell a word and no one was more surprised than he was when he spelled it correctly. This added to the audience’s enjoyment, as I’m sure they sat in their seats imagining what they would have done if they had been chosen to be on stage.

For an evening of sheer entertainment without an intermission, see “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” at the Ross Family Theatre at the Kirkwood Performing Arts Center. It will bring back some of the anxieties and idiosyncracies you might have experienced as a young teenager and allow you to laugh at them now. (Can you spell ‘hilarious’?)

Tickets are available now through June 28. For more information visit stagesstlouis.org.