Playing in Santa Rosa Junior College’s Burbank Auditorium through March 9, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is an absolutely ridiculous musical in all the right ways.
Despite premiering on Broadway 20 years ago, it’s still fresh. The title explains the simple plot, and its naughty songs and musical numbers provide the opportunity for broad comedy. The songs are genuinely funny and present cleverly written scenes, with “I’m Not That Smart” and “Spelling Montage” the standouts.
But while this Bee does try hard to give us a look at the unfortunate burdens adolescents face from their uncontrollable bodies (well-portrayed by Diego Rodriguez in “Chip’s Lament”) and families (overbearing parents are a theme, most poignantly reflected through Mariah Burgos’ character, Schwartzy), the results are uneven.
Still, this is primarily a show for actors to create interesting characters. The most fully realized performance is Buffy Toledo as Rona Lisa Perreti, a past Bee champion and contest judge for whom “The Bee” lives rent free in her head. Toledo checks every box for the exceptional musical theater actor, and her voice is fantastic. She commits wholly to a character that in lesser hands would quickly become obnoxious.
More strong work comes from Olivia Manz as lonely Olive Ostrovsky, who has the body language of an adolescent wallflower down pat and imbues her character with true vulnerability. As Leaf Coneybear, Tyler Hurley is at once lovable, physically unpredictable and steals moments like candy from a baby.
Aidan Pryor, as the imperious William Barfeé (name pronunciation jokes abound), is channeling some deranged Albert Finney-Jack Black mashup that mainly succeeds, if only he would fully throw himself into the character.
As a whole, the ensemble is a talented and dedicated group, definitely worth the price of admission. Nerves did seem apparent on opening night. But once these roles are more worn in, the full extent of this cast’s competence will be revealed in all its foul-mouthed glory.
When the future of the art form is precarious, it is crucial to support our young performers, and to give them room to grow into the craft. It’s safe to say the cast is doing work that not only enhances their own skill sets but also brings obvious delight to their audience.
Though lightweight in character development, this is a rollicking, fun play. Patrons will surely leave the theater repeating their favorite lines and lyrics.
‘The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee’ runs Thur-Sun through March 9 in the Santa Rosa Junior College Burbank Auditorium, 1501 Mendocino Ave. Thur-Sat, 7:30pm; Sat-Sun, 2pm. $15–$25. 707.527.4307. theatrearts.santarosa.edu.
