Theater Reviews

Dec 14, 2006 - "Spelling Bee" casts its small-town spell in Reno

By By Jack Neal

"The 25th Annual Putnam Spelling Bee," the charming Broadway Tony Award winning musical hit, is spinning its considerable magic on the road.

At this point its magic is on the road to Reno, and Reno's Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts, where "Spelling Bee" opened Tuesday night (12/12/06) before a large and appreciative audience.

The direct-from-Broadway show arrives out West amidst a flurry of critical acclaim. If this warm little musical about nerdy school kids feeling their way to adulthood by way of words can push all the right buttons in the big city of New York, it certainly should play well in smaller-town America.

And so it does.

Set in a school with all the trappings adults remember from those good ol' golden rule days, the kids – everything from a hypochondriac mess to an overachieving kickboxing little girl – fill the stage with high-octane energy, lots of wit, a story that tugs at the heart, and songs that fit the action like a glove.

The book by Rachel Sheinken is loaded with hilarious, burst-someone's-bubble lines. William Finn's lyrics and music propels the show's quirky kid personalities from under the microscope of life into the hefty world of entertainment that's both witty and wise.

It's all based on a play, "C-R-E-P-U-S-C-U-L-E," by Rebecca Feldman who thought her play would work as a musical and so it does. Who would have thought that a musical about spelling words could be shaped into something so funny and entertaining?

Smartly choreographed by Dan Knechtges, cleverly staged by James Lapine, "Spelling Bee" is one of those splashes of life, dance and melody that wraps itself in a blanket of nostalgia, then zips along its ingratiating way as a winner regardless of misspelled words. The live five-piece band, pianist Jodie Miller in charge, makes the show hum along without a hitch. Dan Moses Schreier's sound could be cleaner, and probably will be after opening night. Natasha Katz's lighting is just right. Bewulf Boritt's hint-of-school set is great fun, and Jennifer Caprio's eccentric costumes are perfect for the occasion.

The cast, without exception, is terrific.

Playing Rona Lisa Peretti, "Spelling Bee's" queen bee and local realtor in charge, Jennifer Simard is the glue that holds this confection together. As Douglas Panch, the school's vice-principal for extracurricular activities, James Krall is the outlandishly dressed ramrod every school bee needs. Miguel Cervantes is Chip Tolentino, the Eagle Scout with more than words on his mind. Lauren Worsham plays Olive Ostrovsky, the shy kid who desperately wants her dad to see her win. Dana Steingold is the pigtailed girl with two dads and a name – Logainne Schwartzandgrubenierre - that won't stop.

Katie Boren plays Marcy Park the over-achiever who really wants more out life than success. Alan H. Green is Mitch Mahoney, the big bruiser who keeps order as his community service and acts as a comfort counselor on the side. Eric Petersen is William Barfee the hypochondriac mess who visualizes words with his feet. As Leaf Coneybear, Michael Zahler is the awkward kid who can't believe he's made it to the finals. With talents plus to please and amuse, this "Spelling Bee" cast are winners all.

"Spelling Bee" runs 105 minutes without intermission. If there's a drawback, it's that the show would be even better trimmed down to 90 minutes. But that's a minor complaint for an evening that casts more spells than any spelling bee ever.

"The 25th Annual Putnam Spelling Bee" can be seen at the Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts, 100 South Virginia Street, Reno, Nevada, Tuesday through Saturday, December 12 through 16 (2006) at 8 p.m., with a matinee Saturday, December 16, at 2 p.m., and Sunday, December 17, performances at 2 and 7 p.m. For tickets and information call 775-686-6600.