Arts & Entertainment
'The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee' - My Review
Getting to see some of the first act sitting on stage as a speller made this production of 'Spelling Bee' all the more m-e-m-o-r-a-b-l-e.
Photos of the cast of ‘Spelling Bee’ courtesy of Seven Angels (Photo 1 from left James Donohue, Sam Seferian, Gia Asperas, Christina Carlucci, Alex Varcas and Mandy Leigh Thompson)
Seven Angels Theatre kicked off their 25th Mainstage Season on Columbus Day weekend with a joyous and energetic production of ‘The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.’ The show will run through November 1 at the historic Hamilton Park Pavilion, easy to reach via a short detour to Plank Road in Waterbury.
One of my favorite musicals features six awkward young spelling champions that learn during the two hours that winning (and losing) isn’t everything. ‘Spelling Bee’ has a very funny yet touching book by Rachel Sheinkin and a unique score by William Finn. I always enjoy the fast-paced spelling action and in the hands of the this very talented ensemble cast, it moves along very quickly.
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Cassie Hohn (‘A Little Princess’ Off-Broadway) was a caring adult Rona Lisa Peretti, the realtor and spelling bee vet who runs the annual spelling bee. Bradley Mott was the very funny Vice Principal Douglas Panch in his 7A debut, although his last performance in CT was over 40 years ago while in high school. Jerrial Young was memorable as Booker T in ‘Teddy and Alice’ in 2012, but here played “comfort counselor” Mitch Mahoney and sang up a storm during the curtain call.
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‘Spelling Bee’ is a very fun two hours of entertainment. I recommend seeing this very professional production that is always a different show, depending upon who is chosen from the audience. Add to that the fact that there are several Waterbury references and some clever ad-libs by the adult characters behind the table. Look for the ladies signing up spellers in the lobby; I seriously recommend volunteering for what the audience member who sat next to me on the onstage bleachers called “the best seat in the house.” You will enjoy hearing the comments of fellow audience members after you are eliminated from the bee.
Evening and matinee shows available. Shows run Thursday through Sunday. Call the box office for times. (No Shows October 17). box office at 203-757-4676, online at sevenangelstheatre.org, or stop in on Plank Road in Waterbury.
