(Posted March 7, 2007)

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – There's no need to spell it out. THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE is a show people should see.

Okay, my not-so-sacred charge as a critic is to explain why others should see the national tour of this 2005 Tony Award-winning musical comedy. The tour gave me a very enjoyable evening, but I know readers need more reasons than my happiness to pay hard-earned money for a ticket.

Well, how's this - it's a great mix of wit, sweetness and silliness; it works to know its local audience and stay in tune with the times through audience interaction and topical humor; it touchingly portrays the universal feelings of sharp hope and angst to which young people and those who've been young can relate. And its touring cast sings, dances and acts with emotional clarity, impeccable timing and Broadway-caliber talent.

The set-up is simple - we're taken to the competition referenced in the play's title. There we meet the adults who facilitate the contest and their young spellers.

The adults include Rona Lisa Peretti (Jennifer Simard), a supremely confident realtor and former spelling bee champion turned host; Douglas Panch (James Kall), a vice principal sporting plaid pants from 1970's polyester Hell and carrying emotional baggage that may date back that far; and comfort counselor and excon Mitch Mahoney (Alan H. Green), dispensing compassionate hugs and consolation prizes to the contestants.

The kids are a diverse mix indeed. There's Marcy Park (Katie Boren), who may speak multiple languages but wants everyone to know she's not "all business"; Chip Tolentino (Miguel Cervantes), whose Boy Scout image conceals (well, partially conceals) a pubescent lustiness; Logainne Schwartzandgrubenierre (Sarah Stiles), who does her socially-aware best to be loved by all; Olive Ostrovsky (Lauren Worsham), who reaches out emotionally for parents who are distant in more ways than one; Leaf Coneybear (Michael Zahler), a likable latter-day River Phoenix; and William Barfee (Eric Petersen), who brings all manner of allergies and a "magic foot" to the competition.

This musical also utilizes four audience volunteers skillfully picked each night by assistant company manager Chris Paseka. It's part of the localization of each performance that adds to the show's appeal. Add references to East Nashville and Carrie Underwood and it was easy to imagine this musical's fictional Putnam County might be the real one that sits about 50 miles east of Nashville.

The songs – such as "My Friend, The Dictionary," "I'm Not That Smart," "I Speak Six Languages," "The I Love You Song" and the painfully funny "My Unfortunate Erection (Chip's Lament)" – manage to develop engaging character arcs while being entertainingly poignant or hilarious. And the blending of William Finn's well-conceived music and lyrics with Rachel Sheinkin's strong book (furthering a story conceived by Rebecca Feldman with additional material by Jay Reiss) is seamless.

The actors? Well, they're superb. Their singing is strong; their dancing is lively and fun to watch; their comic timing is sharp; their characterizations are emotionally compelling and clearly drawn; their transitions between moments (and sometime between multiple roles, such as Green and Zahler playing Stiles' two dads) are clean and believable. They're capable of making scripted moments feel fresh and improvised moments an acceptable part of the story.

James Lapine's direction and the chereography of Dan Knechtges are flawless as their work transperantly frames the action without imposing on it. There are also sterling technical elements like Beowulf Boritt's clever set design and Jennifer Caprio's character-revealing costumes.

This production has lost none of its luster in the translation from New York to touring presentation. When all the analysis is done, though, this show works because it has heart and wit.

It's easy to spell out what folks should do about THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE.

G-O.

To See The Show…

THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE runs through Sunday, March 11 in Jackson Hall at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center. Shows are at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday-Thursday; 8 p.m. Friday; 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday; and 1 and 6:30 p.m. Sunday. Purchase tickets ($20-$70) at www.tpac.org. For more information on the show, visit www.spellingbeethemusical.com.