By Jana Wiersema, Features Editor
If you haven’t seen Asbury University’s production of “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” yet, it’s time to rustle up $5, rush over to the cafeteria kiosk and get a ticket. There are only two shows left at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 16 and Saturday, Nov. 17. The show is about 90 minutes long with a 10-minute intermission — and you won’t want to miss a second of the action.
What’s the show about? Exactly what it says on the tin. “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” is all about elementary schoolers fighting for first place as they grapple not only with advanced vocabulary but with their own emotional baggage. The show takes place, with the exception of a few flashbacks and dream sequences, solely at the bee.
Since the show has a smaller cast than most of Asbury’s musical productions (with many of the actors doubling as different characters), every actor gets his or her moment in the spotlight. Morgan LeBeau and Chad Carmack of the Appointed class shine as Rona Lisa Peretti and vice principal Douglas Panch, the moderators of the spelling bee. LeBeau pulls off her musical solos without a hitch, guaranteeing that certain tunes will be stuck in your head for days, and Carmack gives a hilariously deadpan delivery of some of the show’s best lines. (I won’t give anything away, but there’s one joke in particular that will make any Asbury student die of laughter). David Gomez of the Visionary class stars as Mitch Mahoney — an ex-convict who, in order to fulfill his community service requirements, acts as a comfort counselor at the bee. Gomez’s portrayal is simultaneously hilarious and heartwarming as Mahoney often wonders what he should say to the eliminated contestants.
As for the contestants themselves, each one has a fun, unique personality that Asbury students bring to life with boundless enthusiasm — so much so that the audience often forgets they’re watching 20-year-olds and not actual children. The cast is as follows:
Mary Beth Kane of the Visionary class plays Olive Ostrovsky, a quirky newcomer to the bee who anxiously waits for her emotionally distant father to arrive to watch her.
James Southworth of the Merciful class plays William Morris Barfée, a standoffish contestant intent on winning after having to leave last year’s bee because of an allergic reaction to peanuts.
Lauranne Rose of the Visionary class plays Logainne Schwartzandgrubenierre, a student with political aspirations who’s afraid of disappointing her father after the countless sessions he’s spent training her for the bee.
Madison Zinner of the Visionary class plays Marcy Park, an overachieving transfer who placed ninth in the previous year’s national spelling bee.
Ben Jeffers of the Appointed class plays Leaf Coneybear, a sweet but scatterbrained homeschooled student who was the second-runner up in his district’s bee but ended up at the Putnam Bee because the first and second place winners were unable to attend.
Nate Thomas of the Faithful class plays Charlito “Chip” Tolentino, winner of Putnam’s previous spelling bee.
Director Carol Anderson does a great job of adapting the show — which has a few inappropriate moments in its unabridged version — so that Asbury’s production is appropriate for audience members of all ages. There are a few quick jokes that adults will get, but they’re the sort that would go over most kids’ heads.
The show also features the fun element of voluntary audience participation. Before the preview show began, Carmack asked audience members if any would be willing to play a part in the show. He then selected three names from a hat, and those audience members got to play as contestants at the bee, all of whom seemed to have a good time.
I’d also be amiss if I didn’t note the hard work from behind-the-scenes individuals. According to an article on Asbury’s website, Brenna Wood of the Merciful class created the choreography for the show — which really shines in numbers like “Magic Foot” and “Pandemonium.” Alumna Kristin Gillis (‘10) is the musical director and provides the show’s toe-tapping tunes with her piano.
While students may be ramping up toward the busiest time of the semester, it’s worth taking a break to enjoy “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.” The characters may be kids, but the pressure put on them to succeed in academics and extracurriculars is very relatable for many college students. And furthermore, shouldn’t we reward the students who, despite being just as busy as the rest of us, put countless hours into making the show a success?
In short, if you haven’t seen the show yet, put down your homework for a couple of hours and head over to the Greathouse Theatre to check it out. You won’t be disappointed.
