BWW Reviews: Pioneer Theatre Company's SPELLING BEE Spells H-I-T

The new production of THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE at Pioneer Theatre Company knows how to spell H-I-T.

If the longer-than-usual title isn't familiar to you, you owe yourself a visit to Putnam County. And if it is, you already know why a return trip is in order.

The Tony-winning musical (music and lyrics by William Finn and book by Rachel Sheinkin) spotlights six participants and three adult presenters of a local spelling bee. The majority of the action takes place at the actual bee, while additional scenes play out in the students' memories or imaginations. These glimpses into their minds provide the audience with insight into their lives and empathy for their pre-teen predicaments. Spot-on improvisation and well-choreographed audience participation pack a punch of real hilarity, but the most welcome surprises are the moments of poignancy that arrive as the audience members realize they truly care about the characters and what is important to them-the outcome of the spelling bee.

The cast is a tight ensemble of great actors, but Emily Walton as Olive Ostrovsky shines above the rest with her lovely characterization and precise vocals. Utah locals Austin Archer as Leaf Coneybear and Elise Groves as Logainne Schwartzandgrubenierre also deserve special mention for more than holding their own among the Equity professionals.

Rounding out the cast are Mary Fanning Driggs as Rona Lisa Peretti, Jacob Hoffman as Chip Tolentino, Kendal Sparks as William Barfèe, Shannon Tyo as Marcy Park, Jeff Talbott as Douglas Panch, and Erick Pinnick as Mitch Mahoney.

While the actors have nice singing voices all around and handle the contemporary score more than capably, pitch problems were rampant in the reviewed performance. Usually quite minor, they did occasionally adversely affect the impact the songs should have had on the audience.

Luckily, the humor of the piece never fails to engage and delight the audience from the beginning of the fictional spelling bee to its satisfying conclusion.

Broadway choreographer Daniel Pelzig (33 VARIATIONS, A YEAR WITH FROG AND TOAD) has provided movement that fills the large stage and still feels natural, even while playing up the fun, ridiculous aspects of the characters.

Daniel Meeker's detailed set transports the audience to an elementary school gym, making them almost forget that they are sitting in a theatre. Broadway lighting designer Michael Gilliam (BONNIE AND CLYDE, BROOKLYN, BIG RIVER) found just the right ways to literally highlight the scenic elements and figuratively highlight the emotions of the characters. In addition, two-time Tony-nominated costume designer Gregory Gale (ROCK OF AGES, THE WEDDING SINGER, URINETOWN) added wonderful final touches of whimsy to a wardrobe that perfectly fits the setting.

THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE plays through September 27, 2014. For tickets, call the box office at 801-581-6961 or visit www.pioneertheatre.org.

Photo Credit: L-R Jacob Hoffman (Chip Tolentino), Kendal Sparks (William Barfèe), Emily Walton (Olive Ostrovosky), Austin Archer (Leaf Coneybear), Elise Groves (Logainne Schwartzandgrubenierre), and Shannon Tyo (Marcy Park). Photo by Alexander Weisman.

To post a comment, you must register and login.