#25th annual putnam spelling bee professional
Rebecca Ordíz, in her professional debut as Olive Ostrovsky, is able to convey an incredible amount of emotion purely through her facial expressions. On opening night, Haxby ( On a Clear Day, 9 to 5 ) as Vice Principal Panche had the audience in fits of laughter with his word definitions, read out with a dry, sarcastic wit. As Rona, Retallick ( Come From Away ) is the perfect mix of warm and funny, and her voice soars. They’re supported by moderator and former spelling bee champion Rona Lisa Peretti (Katrina Retallick), judge Vice Principal Panch (James Haxby), and comfort counsellor Mitch Mahoney (Nathaniel Laga’aia), an ex-convict who hands out juice boxes to losing contestants as community service.Įvery member of the cast fully commits to their role, bringing both levity and sincerity to their performances. The action all takes place in a single afternoon, as a group of young contestants come together to fight for the title of Putnam County Spelling Bee Champion. Spelling bees feel like a definitively American phenomenon, not immediately appealing to an Australian audience (although anyone who has watched the documentary Spellbound knows bees are serious business).
Perhaps one reason to explain the dearth of professional productions in Australia is its subject matter. It’s a staple of amateur theatre companies due to its small cast size, versatility, and quirky characters. Spelling Bee premiered on Broadway in 2005, with music and lyrics by William Finn, who is best known for Falsettos. In a world where anyone who is "different" has been told to be quiet and blend in, Spelling Bee allows these differences to shine. This makes each performance a unique event, and watching the talented cast respond and adapt in real-time – without so much as thinking about breaking character – is half the fun. However, this show takes an opt-in approach with four willing audience members being chosen to join the cast as additional contestants, putting their own spelling abilities to the test. Yep, this is a phrase that can strike fear into the hearts of many seasoned theatre-goers. But what really sets this musical apart is the audience interaction. With a cast of endearing characters, who are each battling their own personal demons, Spelling Bee is irresistibly funny, with a soaring score to boot. Although this has so far remained an unrealised dream, the fact that we finally have a new production after a 17-year wait is every bit as satisfying. The 25 th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee has been on my list since I saw the first professional Australian production way back in 2006. Every theatre performer, be they amateur or professional, has a list of “dream shows” they’d love to be in.
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