Alexander Rucando, stage manager, and Melanie McBride, assistant stage manager, came into the Jewish Community Center a week before opening night of the latest musical production to paint a poster of the mascot for the play – a platypus.
It was not a required item for the performance, since the JCC is pretty much open to making its own images for its production of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. But this seemed like one more humorous bit to what is considered one of the funniest musicals of recent times.
“This gives us a lot of room to improvise,” said Director Dana Levin. “That’s one of the wonderful things about this production.”
“This cast worked four days a week since June.” – Dana Levin
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The musical portrays six different kinds of youthful misfits, who are not only engaged in a classic American ritual, but also in a process of self-discovery.
It is a character-driven show that critics say is full of heart, exploring comic idiosyncrasies of its characters while still giving them something sympathetic that the audience can relate to, if not cheer on.
It has become a classic ensemble work that explores the characters’ vulnerabilities, as each believes that by winning the spelling bee, they will somehow overcome their basic flaws.
The musical presents the bee as a fitting environment for smart, but socially challenged, teenagers who are at an age when hormones and other issues get in the way.
But what gives this play its comic edge is that, for the most part, adults are playing these children. So in some ways, they have to call upon those experiences in their own lives, thus giving an unexpected depth, even passion, to their performances.
The play also looks more seriously into those outside of the contest – parents and others – who influence the contestants, mostly in negative ways.
Curious contestants
The main contestants include the former champion and the most aggressive child of the group, Chip Tolentino, played by Jacob Hines. Chip is a practical, determined contestant who is undone by hormones.
Perhaps his biggest threat is an Asian-American go-getter named Mary Park played by Ariane Ryan. Annoyed when introduced as a girl who can speak five languages (she says she speaks six), she is clearly capable of winning, except that it is too simple for her. She sleeps only three hours a night, hides in the bathroom, and is not allowed to cry.
The most humorous character might be a plump, pompous, and sometimes arrogant egghead named William Barfee, performed by Eric Parkin. Barfee has chronic breathing problems, but is smug because he has a magic foot that can spell the words out for him. He lacks any kind of social graces.
“I’m constantly reminding people that my name is pronounced ‘Bar-Fay,’” said Parkin, who would not step out of character even for the interview. Although he did say he just came from the cast of an independent film, Red Scare, to take part in this play.
One of the more sympathetic characters is a taught at home eccentric named Leaf Coneybear, played by Douglas Lupo. Because he finished third in his school’s spelling bee, he’s surprised to be included. He doubts his own goodness.
Hounded by her parents to win, a pent up Logainne Schwartzandgrubenierre, played by Jen Collins, actually believes that winning this spelling bee is everything. She is a lisping neurotic smothered by her parents.
At the heart of this musical is Olive Ostrovsky, a painfully shy girl played by Sandra Gonzalez, whose parents – while professing to love her – have largely ignored her.
To make things even more interesting, four volunteers will be preselected from the audience for each show to become contestants, although they are presented with almost impossible words to spell and most often are quickly eliminated – although not always.
The competition follows strict rules and is overseen by Vice Principal Douglas Panch, played by Richard Dwyer.
The music is stunning
Each of the main contestants gets his or her own song, such as Barfee’s “Magic Foot,” which talks about how he has to spell out the words with his foot. He is still bitter over the fact that a foot ailment sidelined him from the previous year’s competition.
This show is a process of elimination, and losing contestants are comforted by Mitch Mahoney, played by Shawn Norton, who gives out apple juice, hugs them, and sings “Prayer of the Comfort Counselor.”
Because the show pokes fun at the contestants, most of the songs are generally comic, although the tender song “I Love You/Mama,” is sung by Olive.
Musical Director Kim Norton said the show has about 20 songs. “This play is about words and relationships,” she said.
“It really is a great show and a great cast,” Levin said. “This cast worked four days a week since June.”
After two largely adult plays, Rent late last year and The Rocky Horror Picture Show prior to that, Levin said she was looking for something more family-friendly to which parents could bring children.
The age of the actors varies, but all are playing roles of characters not their age, including a 19-year-old who plays a 35-year-old character, and adults playing the roles of children contestants.
Although the show was originally performed without an intermission, Levin said the JCC version will have one.
The show opens Aug. 4 at 8 p.m., with additional performances on Saturday, Aug. 6, at 9 p.m., and Sunday, Aug. 7, at 3 p.m. Tickets are $18 for patron, $15 for preferred, and $12 for general admission.