|
25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
Presented by: Doorstep Ensemble
Venue: Geelong Performing Arts Centre, Blakiston Theatre
Reviewer: Gavin Dean
Date Reviewed: Saturday 24th October 2009
Opening on Broadway in 2005, The 25th Annual Putnam
County Spelling Bee has gone on to be nominated for 6 Tony Awards
winning 2 of them and has had successful tours in America, Canada
and Australia.
This quirky one act musical was written by William Finn and Rachel
Sheinkin. The show centres on a group of misfit adolescents (all
played by adults), their relationships and the issues of growing up.
All of this takes place at the County’s annual Spelling Bee, which
is run by three adults with Issues of their own.
It’s a very rare occasion that I see a production in Geelong and
leave feeling disappointed. I’m please to say that this was not one
of these times. Doorstep Ensemble has cast a who’s who to bring us
this very entertaining and touching show.
Sophie Collins as Rona Lisa Peretti, former winner of the spelling
bee and now moderator, gave us a very different interpretation of
this role. Sophie has a beautiful voice and handled the singing with
ease. Her comic timing was impeccable. It was only in the softer
moments of the characters role that I thought Sophie could have been
a little bit tenderer.
Vice Principle Douglas Panch, who has been absent as a judge for 5
year due to an ‘incident’ has now returned. Played by David Mackay,
David’s comic timing is that of a true professional. His definitions
and usages of words were hilarious which had me laughing sometimes
well after the joke had finished.
As Mitch Mahoney, who is on community service as the bee’s
counsellor, Tim McCallum gave us a very sensitive performance. Tim’s
larger than life voice coupled with his great acting ability was a
delight to watch and listen to. Tim also doubled as the hilarious
gay parent Dan Schwartz to
Logainne Schwartzandgrubenierre.
Playing the adaorable adolecesnts, were Alex Rathgber as Leaf
Coneybear, Amanda Levy as Olive Ostovsky, Amy Lehpamer as Marcy
Parks, Jesen Overend as Chip Tolentino, Kethly Hemsworth as
Logainne Schwartzandgrubenierre,
and Casey Gould as William Barfee.
There was not one week link in this cast, all sang and acted
impeccability. Highlights of the performances were Amanda’s The I
Love you Song, Casey’s Magic Foot and Marcy’s I Speak Six Languages.
Direction and Set Design was by Jolyon James. Jolyon’s use of
classroom accessories, including whiteboards was very imaginative
and there was great character development by all on stage. I
believed each story that unravelled before me. The only criticism I
had was that I really don’t believe that setting the show in
Australia was a good choice or made the characters more relevant to
us. Changing words in songs from America to Australia and saying the
finals were to be held in the ACT didn’t really add to the show.
John Shawcross and orchestra, all dressed as school kids gave us the
perfect accompaniment to this terrific show.
Lighting by Shane Haugh, was very effective and sound by Rohan was
spot on.
All in all this is a delightful show produced by a very talented
group of people.
Make the trip to Geelong to see a great production that continues to
run for the next 2 weeks.
Gavin has been involved in theatre for the past 26 years, reining
from Geelong where he played such roles as Jud Fry in Oklahoma! Juan
Peron in Evita, he moved to Melbourne over 10 years ago and has
performed in "Into the Woods as the Baker, Jeffrey in Godspell and
Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof. Having performed in over 30
productions, Gavin went onto direct Hot Mikado for Nightowl
Productions for which he received a Guild Judges award. Gavin has
also directed several productions for Loyola Musical Society and has
just finished performing in MLOC's Production of Beauty and the
Beast featuring as Cogsworth the clock.
|