Theater reviewer Mike Logothetis grew up in North Wilmington, performing in school and local theater productions. He lives in Newark, but you can find him wherever the arts are good.
Winner of the Tony and Drama Desk Awards for Best Book, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is a charming and deeply human musical that shines a light on the inner lives of six adolescents vying for the spelling championship of a lifetime. In partnership with New Light Theatre, Delaware Theatre Company (DTC) is proud to present this fan-favorite inside the confines of its Riverfront … “Home. H-O-M-E. Home.”
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New Light Theatre presents The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee in partnership with DTC. Photo by Joe del Tufo, NüPOINT Marketing. |
“DTC is so excited to present New Light Theatre’s production of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,” said Mimi Warnick, DTC's Producing Artistic Director. “We are thrilled to welcome back our audiences for our 47th season with this incredibly entertaining and warm story.”
The setting is a school gymnasium, which Scenic Designer Parris Bradley has done an impeccable job recreating. The ropes, bleachers, trampolines, and other props James B. Saracina has placed at the actors’ disposal are ideally integrated into the action, especially during the musical number “Pandemonium.”
But inanimate objects aside, the stars of the show are the actors. It’s typically difficult for adults to play children without some lapses in technique, but not for this troupe. I was consistently impressed by the depth of preparation each actor brought to his/her/their character.
Charlie Barney’s Leaf Coneybear is a free spirit with little self-control or social boundaries. Angel Sigala makes William Barfée an introvert, of sorts, until he spells or interacts with enigmatic newcomer Olive Ostrovsky (Felicity Mundy). Hannah Parke makes her character (Logainne Schwartzandgrubenierre) single-minded, but in an elementary school way – more obsessed than truly focused. Boy Scout Chip Tolentino (Adam Hoyak) is aging/maturing out of this type of competition and is at an awkward phase. Marcy Park is the puzzle no one can solve, not even herself. Actress Yi Ming Sofyia Xue plays Park fairly straight up until it’s time for her to release her inner self to the world (“I Speak Six Languages”).
I’ve lauded the acting abilities of the performers, but they also have singing chops. They belt out numbers as soloists or with the company that always fill the room. Kudos to Music Director Tom Mucchetti, Sound Designer Damien Figueras, and the live band for their lively arrangements. Alexa Wilder (bee moderator Rona Lisa Peretti) has an incredible voice that soars to the rafters. Cookie Diorio impressively reveals his classically trained pipes in several numbers as Mitch or other minor characters.
The choreography and characters’ physical interplay in the production are impressive. I mentioned the actors’ abilities to imbue childlike perspectives to their movements and Choreographer Taylor J. Mitchell tapped into that collective talent. Mitchell’s dances are clever and energetic, using child-like motions as well as props. Sigala was light on his feet during “Magic Foot” and the audience floated along with him.
Other show highlights:
I’ve lauded the acting abilities of the performers, but they also have singing chops. They belt out numbers as soloists or with the company that always fill the room. Kudos to Music Director Tom Mucchetti, Sound Designer Damien Figueras, and the live band for their lively arrangements. Alexa Wilder (bee moderator Rona Lisa Peretti) has an incredible voice that soars to the rafters. Cookie Diorio impressively reveals his classically trained pipes in several numbers as Mitch or other minor characters.
The choreography and characters’ physical interplay in the production are impressive. I mentioned the actors’ abilities to imbue childlike perspectives to their movements and Choreographer Taylor J. Mitchell tapped into that collective talent. Mitchell’s dances are clever and energetic, using child-like motions as well as props. Sigala was light on his feet during “Magic Foot” and the audience floated along with him.
Other show highlights:
- Each time word pronouncer Douglas Panch (Connor McAndrews) would respond to the speller when asked to “use it in a sentence.” Vice Principal Panch’s answers got more ridiculous and laughable as the show went on.
- The “Goodbye” song (and solace-filled juice box) that a misspelling would initiate was always funny.
- When a certain deity (no spoilers!) appeared to offer guidance to Marcy Park.
Note: The performance included four volunteer audience members on stage as spellers. It added to wonderment of the situation. (They all heard the “Goodbye” song and received a juice box from Mitch.)
Show Director and New Light Theatre Artistic Director Lena Mucchetti has put together a strong team to make this production one not to miss. What a way to start the school year!
Supporting New Light Theatre’s mission to raise awareness and support for organizations that deepen our empathy and connection with one another, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee has partnered with Children & Families First, an organization providing support and services that children and their families in Delaware need to thrive.
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee runs through Sunday, October 4. Showtimes are Wednesdays (2:00pm), Thursdays & Fridays (7:00pm), Saturdays (2:00 & 7:30pm), and Sundays (2:00pm). (There is no matinee Saturday, September 19.)
Show Director and New Light Theatre Artistic Director Lena Mucchetti has put together a strong team to make this production one not to miss. What a way to start the school year!
Supporting New Light Theatre’s mission to raise awareness and support for organizations that deepen our empathy and connection with one another, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee has partnered with Children & Families First, an organization providing support and services that children and their families in Delaware need to thrive.
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee runs through Sunday, October 4. Showtimes are Wednesdays (2:00pm), Thursdays & Fridays (7:00pm), Saturdays (2:00 & 7:30pm), and Sundays (2:00pm). (There is no matinee Saturday, September 19.)
Ticket prices start at $39 and discounts are available. The play is roughly 2 hours long with one 15-minute intermission. Join DTC for Viewpoints every Wednesday starting 45 minutes before the start of the show. Talkbacks – Q&As with the creative team – occur Thursdays after the final curtain. For show info and to purchase tickets, call 302.594.1100 or visit delawaretheatre.org. Delaware Theatre Company is located at 200 Water Street in Wilmington.
DTC has suggested a minimum audience-goer age of 13 due to the show’s duration and mild innuendo.
DTC has suggested a minimum audience-goer age of 13 due to the show’s duration and mild innuendo.
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