REVIEW: HTI’S SPELLING BEE is D-E-L-I-G-H-T-F-U-L
After a fall hiatus to work on building improvements, Hamilton Theatre Inc opens its doors and welcomes audiences back with words, whimsy and warmth with the winner of the 2005 Tony and the Drama Desk Awards for Best Book, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. The musical has charmed audiences with its effortless wit and humour (and long winded title). In her directorial debut, Kayla Jensen asks the audience to reflect on how individuals handle whatever life throws their way and the importance in being true to yourself. This is demonstrated through Jensen’s fresh faced, comedically skilled cast time and time again.
Plot wise, Spelling Bee is straightforward. An eclectic group of six mid-pubescents compete for the spelling championship. While candidly disclosing hilarious and touching stories from their home lives, the contestants spell their way through a series of words, hoping never to hear the soul-crushing "ding" of the bell that signals a spelling mistake. Six spellers enter; one speller leaves a champion! At least the losers get a juice box?
Most of the show is played for laughs, including unexpected and hilarious audience participation as they compete against the skilled spellers on stage. This aspect of the show demonstrates the improv skills needed to keep the flow of the show going and the moderator/vice principal and consolation prize giver roles, played by Alissa Jambrovic, Matthew Moore and Kyle Ferreira respectively, are brilliant here with their dry humour and often stoic mannerisms balancing the high energy of the spelling bee participants. In particular, Moore providing ridiculous “can you use it in a sentence” prompts (some topical and some downright nerdy), resulted in loud, appreciative laughter from the Saturday matinee audience and selected audience members on stage.
The cast are quirky and delightful with characterizations that make us laugh, relate and accept them. Part of what makes Spelling Bee funny but also heartfelt are these character deep dives through song, revealing who our overachievers really are and their internal struggles with absent family members, the pressures to win and how to prove themselves beyond the confines of the school’s gymnasium. Each elimination is a way for the characters to reflect, accept or vehemently deny their fate.
Every character in Spelling Bee gets at least one solo moment to shine and the vocal training efforts of musical director Jennifer Ferreira cannot be understated. Ferreira’s work is never done as she not only conducts but plays several woodwinds in the live band. In terms of solo numbers, I’m Not That Smart is a great example of Makenna Louks’ infectious energy and whimsical charm permeating throughout the show. The Unfortunate Erection moment is hilarious and demonstrates some great sight gags by Ryan McGinlay as Chip. Sarah Gazzola continues to shine with her performance and precision vocals in her character Logainne’s nervous breakdown number Woe is Me.
One standout in particular occurs in the second act’s progression of the spelling bee rounds. The back and forth between the vice-principal and the spellers, particularly William Barfee (it’s Bar-fay, not Bar-fee, played with nerdy arrogant gusto by Leia Mahoney) slows to a hypnotic pace and is one of the best numbers in the show to watch. Liyah (lie-yah) Imbert’s overachieving Marcy also strikes a nerve with I Speak Six Languages and Adelaide Bliss’ Olive is beautifully bittersweet with The I Love You Song.
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is a delightful musical theatre narrative with a great deal of heart. If you’re looking for a musical that is kinda weird, kinda wacky and kinda wonderful, be sure to get your tickets soon. The show has only a few performances left. B-E T-H-E-R-E.
"Magic Foot" – Leia Mahoney as William Barfée (front). Background (L-R): Liyah Imbert as Marcy Park, Adelaide Bliss as Olive Ostrovsky, Sarah Gazzola as Logainne SchwartzandGrubenierre, Makenna Louks as Leaf Coneybear, and Ryan McGinlay as Chip Tolentino.
"Olive’s Story" – Adelaide Bliss as Olive Ostrovsky (front). Background (L-R): Ryan McGinlay as Chip Tolentino, Makenna Louks as Leaf Coneybear, Leia Mahoney as William Barfée, Sarah Gazzola as Logainne SchwartzandGrubenierre, Liyah Imbert as Marcy Park, and Alissa Jambrovic as Rona Lisa Peretti.
"Woe Is Me" – (L-R) Alissa Jambrovic as Rona Lisa Peretti, Sarah Gazzola as Logainne SchwartzandGrubenierre, Adelaide Bliss as Olive Ostrovsky, Liyah Imbert as Marcy Park, and Ryan McGinlay as Schwartzy's Dad.
All photography by: Paul Merrill
