Pontiac Theatre IV’s ‘The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee’ is an absolute D-E-L-I-G-H-T!
For 57 seasons, the Pontiac Theatre IV has provided the Michigan community theatre scene with quality productions, and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is no exception. With a book by Rachel Shinkin and music and lyrics by William Finn (Falsettos), this comedy musical feels like a blast from the past and a breath of fresh air. While The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee might not be as well-known as some other Broadway shows, there’s much to love and appreciate from perhaps the funniest and wackiest musical I’ve seen recently.
Pontiac Theatre IV’s The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee production emphasizes the cast and crew who bring this show to life. Every character gets a moment in the spotlight and a chance at the microphone, as the world watches with bated breath to see who will take home the gold. This theater makes it easy to fall in love with this musical, as the passion is felt in every moment of this production. Want to know more about what you can expect from Pontiac Theatre IV’s latest musical? Read on to find out!
[Warning: spoilers from Pontiac Theatre IV’s production of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee are below!]
Tensions are high in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
When and where exactly does The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee occur? Great question, as it’s undoubtedly ambiguous in the show, although it feels appropriate to the overall experience. While not all of us might have competed in a spelling bee, there is something about seeing a spelling bee happening on stage that transports me back to my childhood, much like moderator Rona Lisa Peretti (Sarah King) in the beginning of Act 1.
As a former competitor, Peretti now finds herself in a position of power and influence over the newest group of spellers, a collection of neurotic children waiting to impress everyone in attendance. From the twitchy Marcy, who is one straw away from a broken camel’s back, to Logainne (Peyton McDevitt), a politically attuned child with a highly structured life, each person is different and awkward as the next.
As The 25th Annual Putnam Country Spelling Bee continues from the act and the contestants dwindle down to one, the audience gains an insight into the lives and motivations of those on stage. With a healthy dose of comedy comes even more heart, as the students become more dimensional with each flash frame from their past. Who will win the spelling bee? And more importantly, will these contestants make it through this experience with their sanity intact? You’ll have to catch The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee to find out!
Pontiac Theatre IV showcases passion and fun in its current production
While we’ve only just begun reviewing shows for this local Michigan community theater, it’s already apparent the amount of love that the cast and crew put into each production they put on. From Murder on the Orient Express to The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, there’s a genuine excitement from everyone involved that oozes from each corner of the auditorium. This love for the craft makes seeing a production at the Pontiac Theatre IV even more delightful, which you can feel from the laughter coming from the audience.
The magic of this musical comes from its relatively simple setup. There is no need for excessive sets to tell the story, as it is designed to reflect a childhood spelling bee. A stage, a few chairs, a poster or two, and you have everything you need to transport audiences to Putnam County. However, this ultimately allows the show to focus on characters, giving each actor ample time to play around.
And boy, do they play around. The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is one of the most hilarious shows I’ve seen as of late, as it’s just utterly outrageous with its comedic elements. There are so many layers to this show, with almost non-stop jokes delivered with excellent timing by the cast. There’s something special about a show that can make you laugh continuously without feeling worn and hollow, which you never felt from this Pontiac Theatre IV production. Instead, you felt the laughter building amongst the audience, who had tears rolling down their face by the end.
The additional element of audience interaction was unexpected but also essential to this show. Bringing people from the crowd onto the stage to fill the extra seats in the spelling bee made the entire audience feel like they were a part of the show, making us feel even more invested in it. This aspect also added spontaneity to the musical, giving each performance its unique experience.
Director Christina McDevitt understood precisely what makes this show special and beautifully highlights it. This isn’t just theater; it’s an experience. McDevitt’s hard work is reflected in every aspect of this production, including the powerful cast that made this show special. As is true with most community theater, this cast and creatives gave everything they had for nothing but the love of the art and the desire to share it with others. They are working day jobs, going to school, and yet come together to put their heart and soul on the stage, and that’s felt in every scene of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.
If you’re looking for a unique experience and to support local theater this weekend, look no further than Pontiac Theatre IV’s The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee! Have you seen this musical before? Let us know on social media @boxseatbabes!
Come to the Pontiac Theater IV For Murder on the Orient Express
