Bergen County Players Spells out F-U-N-N-Y

Live theatre is always a unique experience. And if you are looking for an evening of music, laughter, and some outstanding acting, do not miss The 25^th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee at the !

The Bergen County Players experienced literal hell and high-water in order to bring this musical to light. The set was supposed to be completed on August 28^th. The very Sunday Hurricane Irene visited the area.  Director Larry Landsman and the cast and crew explained, during the ‘talk back’ session on Friday, 9/16, this would present a few challenges.

Power was out for a week at the theatre, but as the saying goes, “The show must go on!” And so the cast and crew worked to put everything together in time for the September 10^th opening.

The 25^th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee was a Broadway hit, with music and lyrics by William Finn, book by Rachel Sheinkin.  The show features six quirky, odd middle-schoolers, a parole doing his community service (Mitch Mahoney, played by Jeffry Foote), the former spelling-bee champion realtor who is running the event (Rona Lisa Perretti, played by Nancy Feldman), and the vice principal presenting the words (Vice Principal Douglas Panch, played by James Lugo).

But the six spellers are not alone. Members of the audience are also selected to participate in the Bee. This adds an element of hilarity and improvisation that presents a new challenge for the cast, as well as the audience members now an intricate part of the show.

The ‘kids’ are a riot. The actors manage to bring out amazing quirks. There is the overachiever (Marcy Park, played by Louanna Factora); the unkempt, nose-picking nerd (William Barfee, played by Phil Sloves); last year’s winner (Chip Tolentino, played by Timothy Meola); the ‘special’ kid complete with helmet and cape (Leaf Coneybear, played by Brad Forenza); the sad, lonely friendless girl (Olive Ostrovsky, played by Lena Groticelli); and the politically savvy girl with two dads Logainne Schwartzandgrubenniere, played by Elaine Thoman). 

Several of the actors actually play multiple roles, with minimal costume changes.

The orchestra, reminiscent of the original Broadway set-up, does an amazing job from behind the set. And the set is an incredible, detailed work that feels very much like a middle school gym, just as it should. And check out the mascot painted on the floor!

This is the final weekend to see the performance with show times at: Friday 8pm, Saturday 8pm and Sunday 2pm. Tickets are $21.

The 25^th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is a wonderful, uproariously funny show. The Bergen County Players’ 79^th season kicks off with an outstanding hit, not to be missed!