Opening Night of Spelling Bee a Success

Opening night of Collingswood Community Theatre's  featured memorable characters and laugh after laugh. 

Wednesday, August 24, at 7:30 p.m., lights went down in the , as The Pilot Light Theatre's second-annual production of The Bee—their first was performed last year in Philadelphia—opened to a crowd of about 100 people.

"My theatre company is The Pilot Light Theatre, but I've been with Collingswood Community Theatre for two years," said show Director and Collingswood native, 27-year-old Sean Costello on opening night. "We chose to perform this musical because we'd already done it last year, and we could put it together quickly."

Costello, at intermission Wednesday evening, said he was pleased with the show's first night. 

"It's going pretty well. Everyone is awesome; I couldn't ask for a better cast," said Costello.

The 3-night production features cast members like C.J. Kish as Barfee; Kimberly Townsend as Olive; Jerry Tower as Chip; Rachel Witte as Logainne; Michael Francis Rauch as Coneybear; Kira Broecker as Marcy; Angela Leone as Rona; Edward Rafater as Panch; and Michael Hogan as Mitch. 

Chronicling the lives of a group of Putnam Valley Middle School students competing in the 25th annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, the musical offered wholehearted comedic performances and unforgettable characters. 

Colorful choreographed musical numbers ensued, backed by an orchestral ensemble. 

"Original choreography was led by Robert Rodriguez, but for this show, I restaged everything and helped with spacing, and with brushing-up on what (actors) remembered from last year's production," said Choreographer Kate Scharff, of Collingswood. "This cast is great. We all grew up together, so we've been working together a long time.

I'm a little bit nervous (on opening night), but you always get nervous once it's out of your hands and you no longer have control," said Scharff Wednesday night. "But it's a great show and I'm excited to watch them perform."

At the night's end, audience members—some of whom were invited onstage to participate in the spelling bee—could be heard raving about the show. 

"I really enjoyed it," one woman could be overheard, speaking to a friend on her mobile phone. "I met the cast before, and to see them actually living everyday life—and then becoming these amazing characters—it was really great. It was extremely entertaining."

 will be performed twice more, on Thursday, August 25, and again Friday, August 26. Both shows will begin at 7:30 p.m. at the , located at 315 White Horse Pike in Collingswood.

Tickets cost $15 per person, and $10 per person for students and senior citizens, and may be purchased at the door.