Dr. Phillips Center interns perform ‘The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee’ | Theater review
Future stars shine bright in “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” presented at the Dr. Phillips Center in Orlando by actors participating in the venue’s Resident Artist Intern program.
Pandemonium, noun: a state of extreme confusion and disorder. Thankfully, this is not how I would describe “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” currently being presented at the Dr. Phillips Center in Orlando. As a part of the the center’s annual Resident Artist Intern program, the production serves as a showcase for some amazingly talented early-career performers to take the stage in a professional production.
“The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” tells the story of six rather odd children competing to win a spot in the national spelling bee. We follow their ups and downs as one by one they are eliminated and we learn that maybe winning isn’t everything (and if it’s really even something Jesus would care about at all.) The tongue-in-cheek nature of the show isn’t afraid of getting messy and a little subversive when it comes to politics, religion, and the awkward moments of growing up. One song is literally sub-titled “My Unfortunate Erection,” so consider this fair warning that such topics come up.
Talking about songs, the music is as charming and catchy as ever and forms an eclectic mix — from the schmaltzy and silly “My Friend, the Dictionary” to the heart-wrenching “The I Love You Song,” where one little girl imagines the things she wishes her absent parents might say. The stage becomes alive with chaos during “Pandemonium,” though an over-directed “Prayer of the Comfort Counselor” loses a bit of steam.
The true ensemble nature of the show means the cast is only as good as their weakest link, and thankfully the talent on stage from the Dr. Phillips Center’s Resident Artist Intern program is really unmistakable. Unexpectedly powerful voices and obvious character work shine across a cast diverse in look, style, and even age. Standouts include Jayme Dills as Logainne Schwartzandgrubenierre, a lispy elementary-school student obsessed with social justice, and John Connon as overwrought Vice Principal Douglas Panch. Dills’ expressive face and 100% commitment to her character steals the scene whenever she is given a chance while Connon’s droll delivery and ultimate gameness provide a steady backbone for the show.
Co-directors Ryan Simpson and Victor Wisehart took every opportunity to modernize any references in the 20-year-old script with sly nods to January 6 and even the hyper-recent Coldplay kiss-cam incident. The show is hampered a bit by some odd directing choices, including leaving the house lights on through the majority of the show (possibly to simulate being in a gymnasium) and letting the energy lag through several overly long slowed-down and frozen moments on stage.
Ultimately, “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” at the Dr. Phillips Center provides audiences a look at some of the stars of tomorrow stretching their wings in the world’s most famous musical about spelling. Even if you didn’t grow up you grow up obsessed with words like Weltanschauung (noun: a particular philosophy or view of life; the worldview of an individual or group) or crepuscule (noun: the time of day immediately following sunset), the undeniable talent of the performers on stage and the heart they bring to the show are all the reason you need to attend.
The production’s flaws diminish the shine a bit, but as a showcase of some very talented young performers, well, all I can say is it provides a very hopeful and optimistic weltanschauung, even if I personally had to use spellcheck.
“The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” is performing now through Aug. 9 at the Alexis & Jim Pugh Theater in the Dr. Phillips Center of Orlando, Fla. For tickets or more information, visit DrPhillipsCenter.org.
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