The snarky, wonderful The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee began as an improv sketch conceived by Rebecca Feldman, then as a play written by her called C-R-E-S-P-U-S-C-U-L-E, then as a musical when composer and lyricist William Finn (Falsettos, A New Brain, Little Miss Sunshine) was added to the zany troupe. Along the way, young choreographer and Broadway gypsy Dan Knechtges was added to the mix, and the show, after workshops at the Barrington Stage Company, Massachusetts, opened off-Broadway in 2005. A cult hit, it quickly transferred to Broadway that same year where the show ran for three years, winning two Tony Awards: Best Book (Rachel Sheinkin) and Best Supporting Actor (Dan Fogler as “magic foot” William Barfeé.).
The musical is small, perhaps too intimate for the mighty Hobby Center, but the charismatic performances, the detailed school set by Beowulf Boritt, and the inspired direction and movement by Knechtges enlarges this little tale. We love these misfits who can toss off words like capybara, cystitis, and tittup while suffering from dysfunctional families, the feeling that they are dumb, or an overachieving Marcy (Gemini Quintos) who speaks six languages. These little fellows just want love and acceptance for the nerds they are. Winning the spelling bee will be their validation. When they don’t win, they get a hug and a juice box from parolee Mitch (deep-dish JD Houston), who’s doing community service, and are quickly ushered off the stage.
The Bee is officiated by Putnam County’s lead realtor and former winner Rona Lisa Peretti (beautiful- voiced Julia Krohn), who is lusted over by assistant principal Douglas Panch (Tony-nominee Kevin Cahoon from Shucked), who has returned after a suspect “incident” at the Bee a few years ago. They pronounce the word, give the definition, and use it in a sentence. Like the one given to Logainne SchwwartzandGrubenierre, she of two dads (adorable Abigail Bensman) – “strabismus,” a squint caused by a defect in the eye muscles. She asks Panch to use the word in a sentence. He replies in perfect deadpan, “In the schoolyard Billy protested that he wasn’t cockeyed. ‘I suffer from strabismus,’ he said, whereupon the bullies beat him harder.”
Sheinkin’s book is so wondrously wicked and non-PC, the audience lapped it up.
Finn’s music is easy on the ear, Broadway-bound, and does its job with neat efficiency, even if the tunes are instantly forgettable. This isn’t Sondheim, Rodgers. or even Herman, but the jaunty songs mesh with the fun of watching adults play kids. And the “kids” are most memorable indeed, all Broadway babies who can sing their heads off and act up a storm.
Mark Ivy, as allergic, acerbic Barfeé, steals the spotlight like the pro he is. When he melts under Olive’s spell (a radiant Adell Ehrhorn), a collective sigh washes through the Hobby. It’s just what we want for him. Marco Camacho’s Leaf Coneybear, who goes into a trance when he spells, is innocence personified, and our hearts rush to him as he sings “I’m Not That Smart.” Yes, you are, we think, just under-appreciated. Michael Alonzo, as hormone possessed Chip, has a field day with “Chip’s Lament,” when an errant erection stymies his turn at the competition. The first to be eliminated, he ends up hawking candy in the aisle, hiding behind his tray. Adding to these follies, are the audience participants in the Bee, selected before the performance and then coached by the cast during the show. It’s great fun.
Everyone shines in this musical, thanks to Knechtges’ prowess and utter theater professionalism. This show is teen spirit on steroids with a grand wash of sweetness. There’s no social significance, no great message, just a fun time in the theater. Nothing wrong with that. Spell it “S-a-t-i-s-f-a-c-t-i-o-n.”
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee continues through November 2 at 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays and Sundays; 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; and 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays at Theatre Under The Stars at the Hobby Center, 800 Bagby. For more information, call 713-558-8887 or visit tuts.org. $46 -$195.
This article appears in Jan 1 – Dec 31, 2025.