BWW Reviews: 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE spells a great big hit for BRT

There's something about the ending of The 25^th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee that is so genuinely heartwarming that you're taken somewhat by surprise after the two hours of unbridled hilarity that the show delivers. First a hit on Broadway, then on national tour, Spelling Bee is now a favorite of local and regional theater companies and with its second Nashville-area professional production onstage - this time thanks to the talented folks at Franklin's Boiler Room Theatre - audiences are given another chance to soak up all the fun, revel in its charm and be engaged by some unlikely characters.

Directed with a palpable sense of style and tongue-in-cheek respect for the musical's unique cast of characters by Brandy Austin, with The 25^th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Boiler Room Theatre delivers yet another musical theater classic to the stage, reaffirming the company's dominance in that particular theatrical genre. You have a musical you want to see onstage? Tell the BRT folks and they'll deliver the kind of production you have dreamed about and longed for - and they'll do it with a cast of local performers who are guaranteed to knock your socks off! And with music direction by Jamey Green and choreography by Lauri Gregoire, both of whom are BRT resident artists, you'll be assured of a huge hit.

Drawing on all those shared memories of middle school spelling bees we all hold near and dear to our hearts (I was robbed of the McNairy County Spelling Bee championship as an eighth grader thanks to the word "meningitis"), The 25^th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is one of the most genuinely funny musicals of recent memory, superbly crafting a world filled with polysyllabic words, top-flight competition and the slings and arrows of adolescence. At a time when the national spelling bee is treated like a major sports championship, broadcast on ESPN every year, and its competitors become known for their techniques and prowess, then you know the time is ripe for the musical, conceived by Rebecca Feldman and featuring music and lyrics by William Finn, with a book by Rachel Sheinkin.

It's a thoroughly engaging premise, to be sure, but what makes The 25^th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee such a success are the richly drawn characters, each of whom is brought to life, each with his or her unique attributes, with skill and vigor by Austin's exceptional ensemble of actors.

Phil Perry gives a terrific comic performance as troubled Vice Principal Panch, who pronounces words for the competition after a five-year absence from the bee (for personal reasons that remain nebulous), and he is countered by the wonderfully wily Lisa Gillespie as Rona Lisa Peretti, winner of the third annual Putnam County spelling bee, who provides color commentary for the competition. Both Perry and Gillespie invest their roles with such daft, off-key spirit that they elicit hearty laughter as they guide us in our journey through the rules-driven world of the spelling bee.

James Rudolph is ideal as Mitch Mahoney, the bee's "comfort counselor," finishing up his community service by providing hugs and juice pouches to the young spellers ousted from the competition.  Rudolph plays Mitch with just the right amount of barely concealed rage that makes him somewhat threatening, but the actor's own good grace shines through, giving Mitch a warm, cuddly center.

As the six young spellers vying for the Putnam County championship trophy (they are joined onstage at each performance by four guest spellers selected from among the audience), Austin's casting eye proves strong and focused, assembling a sextet of appealing, charming young actors who will completely steal your heart.

Arron Holman is a playful, if very serious, Chip Tollentino, whose "unfortunate erection" leads to his ultimate spelling downfall. Holman's dark good looks give Chip a certain all-American appeal, while his well-paced delivery makes him a comic force to be reckoned with - and his clever take on Jesus (yep, Jesus appears briefly to explain that who wins a spelling bee isn't something he generally gives much thought to) is a memorable, irreverent hit.

Jordan Ravellette, playing the home-schooled Leaf Coneybear, gives a perfect reading of the free-spirited youngster, whose naivete is underscored by his untapped intelligence that allows him to spell the names of virtually every South American rodent known to man, except for the chinchilla of course. Ravellette's sublime versatility is apparent as he transforms seamlessly from Leaf into a gay dad in a couple of scenes.

Lindsay Terrizzi Hess, taking on the role of Logainne Schwartzandgrubenierre (who has proposed an amendment to lower the voting age to 10) that she played last season in Street Theatre Company's production of The 25^th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, once again proves her unparalleled comedic skills with a performance that is filled with amazing broad strokes that are made all the more impressive by moments of genuine feeling and warmth.

Stephanie Jones Benton, a strikingly beautiful veteran of several musical theater hits on the Nashville stage, very adeptly steps into the role of Marcy Park, an over-achieving speller who's moved from Virginia to be a ringer in the Putnam County bee. Benton, as confident and consistent a performer that you may ever hope to see onstage, once again delivers the goods, displaying her impressive voice while playing the piano, twirling the baton and karate-chopping her way through various stage props.

Taking on the challenging role of William Barfee (that's pronounced "bar-fay" in case you were uncertain) is Nashville theater stalwart Brad Oxnam, who delivers a star-making turn as the mucus-challenged speller (his entire life has been hindered by his inability to breathe through one nostril). Oxnam's portrayal of Barfee comes close to going over the top, but is saved by the sincerity invested in the character by the actor in a truly sterling performance.

But if any of the young actors threaten to steal the show, you'd have to give kudos to Darci Wantiez, whose Olive Ostrovsky is a lovable, huggable sweetheart. Wantiez gives such a finely-tuned performance as Olive that it is difficult to know where Darci leaves off and Olive picks up. But suffice it to say that you will ultimately be moved by her heartfelt performance and staggered by her huge voice, which is one of the production's most notable surprises.

Director Austin's creative team includes music director Jamey Green (whose five-member ensemble provides the perfect musical accompaniment to the onstage hijinks), scenic and lighting designer Corbin Green (who provides the perfect setting for the school gym that houses the spelling bee and which showcases Corrie Miller's excellent props design) and costume designer Katie Delaney that helps to vividly define each character in the show. And Lauri Gregoire's choreography helps to perfectly capture the show's sweet spirit and ensures the actors move around the stage with flair.

The 25^th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. Music and lyrics by William Finn. Book by Rachel Sheinkin. Conceived by Rebecca Feldman. Directed by Brandy Austin. Music direction by Jamey Green. Choreographed by Lauri Gregoire. Produced by Jamey Green. Presented by Boiler Room Theatre, Franklin. Through September 10. For details, visit the company website at www.BoilerRoomTheatre.com. For reservations, call (615) 794-7744.

pictured: James Rudolph, Stephanie Jones Benton and Phil Perry

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