Published March 07. 2023 12:18PM
by Ed Courrier Special to the Bethlehem Press
“The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” brought the geographically ambiguous Putnam Valley MS’s competition to the Moravian Academy stage from Mar. 3–5.
The ensemble-driven musical comedy explores the anxiety and glory of six quirky adolescents as they compete in a spelling bee run by equally eccentric adults.
With music and lyrics by William Finn, and book by Rachel Sheinkin, the production is based on “C-R-E-P-U-S-C-U-L-E” by Rebecca Feldman. “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” premiered on Broadway in 2005 and won two Tony Awards out of six nominations. It was also nominated for a Grammy Award in 2006.
Director Jarrod Yuskauskas, was assisted by choreographer Deena Linn, music director Dr. Yvonne Robinson and technical director Rob Riker.
Press photos by Ed Courrier Contestants perform the show's opening number, “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.”
“Woe is Me” cries Logainne Schwartzandgrubenierre (Macie Bazella) as she describes her two overbearing fathers.
“I'm Not That Smart,” laments Leaf Coneybear (Devin Klotz) as he attempts to spell his assigned word.
William Barfée (Colin Moore) sings “Magic Foot” as he explains his unique technique during the spelling bee. The adult moderators are, from left: Douglas Panch (Matthew Brandle), “Mitch” Mahoney (Rebecca Farrell) and Rona Lisa Peretti (Sofia Eckman).
Olive Ostrovsky (Rowan Taylor), imagines she is flanked by her absent parents (Colin Moore and Sofia Eckman) as they perform “The I Love You Song.”
The entire company performs the closing number.
Chip Tolentino (Joey Oltman) solos with “Chip's Lament” at the start of Act Two, having been disqualified due to a ‘distraction' in Act One.
“I Speak Six Languages” sings a stressed-out Marcy Park (Sarah Connors) at right. From left, are Leaf Coneybear (Devin Klotz), Chip Tolentino (Joey Oltman), Neal Gummadi (Gabriel Garwinkle) and Scarlet Ohio (Armani Marquez).
