By Eva Trieger in La Mesa, California
Once more proving that talent is not defined by space, Lamplighters Community Theatre brings massive ability and a large cast to their small stage. The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee showcases a host of multi-talented local actors, a great musical score and fantastic choreography. It even introduces budding thespians to the stage as some audience members are selected to participate in the bee!
With a delightful book written by Rachel Sheinkin and musical score by William Finn, audiences root for six children competing to win the trophy and progress to Nationals in Washington, DC. As the play unfolds, each child’s back story is revealed through song. Chip Tolentino (Jack Diskin), last year’s champ, faces unique pubescent challenges. Logainne Swartzandgrubeniere (Hannah Roskelley), is the youngest contestant, exuberant and unfazed by her lisp or her demanding dads. Leaf Coneybear (Diego Castro) who won third place, was only selected because the two girls who won first and second places were having and attending a bat mitzvah, respectively.
William Barfeé (Josh Click) “there’s an accent aigu!” feels clearly superior not only to his fellow contestants but to the judge, Vice Principal Douglas Panch (Jarrod Weintraub). Marcy Park (Aarin Wilson) the new girl, an overachiever in all ways, is bored and tired of living up to expectations. And rounding out the contestants is the rather neglected Olive Ostrovsky (Emmy Farese), whose mother is in an ashram while Dad grows distant. Miss Rona Peretti (Keri Miller) , former champion of the bee, acts as the emcee and is assisted by Mitch Mahoney (Sara Blanche Hayes) as the comfort counselor, escorting kids off stage when they are outed, but not before offering a hug and a juice box.
This delightful show is fast-paced and the interplay between contestants and judges is clever. The book and lyrics are very funny and cover a variety of topical themes. Music Director Christopher Miller and Choreographer Patrick Mayuyu collaborated to bring out the best in each of the actors while maximizing the space on the small stage. Director Jonathan Sturch and Assistant Director Dani Guinn must have enjoyed working with this group of ebullient and energetic actors. I have had the extreme pleasure of seeing many of these folks on area stages in recent shows such as Bright Star, First Date, James and the Giant Peach, Hands on a Hard Body and Little Shop of Horrors, to mention just a few.
One of the audience contestants really enjoyed being a part of the spelling bee and was struck by how different the experience felt from the vantage point of the stage. She was quite impressed that the actors remained in character as they incorporated her into the story, and she was also awed by the heat put out by the stage lights. Now she has even greater respect for this committed and multi-faceted cast. She was visibly relieved to be asked to spell the word “cow” as opposed to “omphaloskepsis.”
This delightful show is perfectly timed as this year’s National Spelling Bee is slated for the end of May. If you want to get a glimpse of what these kids go through, treat yourself to Lamplighters’ production.
The 26th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee runs through May 17th. Tickets may be purchased online at www.lamplighterslamesa.com or by phone at 619.303.5082
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Eva Trieger is a freelancer specializing in the coverage of the arts.