SPELL B-E-E

Review of Spelling Bee
Music & Lyrics by William Finn
Book by Rachel Sheinkin
Directed by Bobby Garcia
Atlantis Productions

I was among the recipients of the invitational premiere of the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical, “Spelling Bee” held March 18th at the Carlos Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Plaza in Makati. Staged by Atlantis Productions in celebration of its 10th Anniversary, the play’s limited run starts March 20th until April 4th.

The play is just a simple story of a spelling competition, aptly dubbed the “25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.” It gathered together students who came with different approaches to whizzing the contest, and equally unique, quirky personalities and social ineptitude.
The local production of the musical is able to bring together effective performances of the lead characters. The notable quiz bee contestants are the 'usual suspects.' In kids’ terminology, there’s your typical geek; there’s a nerd; and an over-achiever who knows six languages. One speller has gay couple for parents and rallies for socio-political issues; another is financially challenged with a parent who is 'finding herself'; and still another spells with his ‘magic foot’ and creates his own personal space. Throughout the play, the contestants spell – of course – and portray their life’s circumstances on the side.

The music and dialogues are fun and light-hearted with tender moments. The spelling entrees work up the audience laughter – witty, funny and major nosebleed-inducer (a.k.a. never-heard-this-before)! There is a special audience interaction, which is part of the play’s surprise.
Suffice to say, “Spelling Bee” is a worthy treat for children and students to watch, although in my opinion, it may be rated PG rather than GP, as there is a ‘hormonal issue’ tackled in the story – one that rhymes with election.

The musical is not all spectacular – one is bound for disappointment if they are expecting grandiose production designs, overly dramatic scene or breathtaking revelation for climax. However, if you’re looking for an evening of entertainment and relaxation, the stage of Spelling Bee is worth visiting. The simplicity of it is actually what makes it work.

And to quote Reader's Digest, it pays to enrich your vocabulary. That is, if you spell correctly.