Pioneer Theater Company’s Spelling Bee is a Winner!

By Jennifer Mustoe and Caden Mustoe

For many years, Caden and I have heard the song, “My Friend, The Dictionary” on various Broadway show tunes stations, and laughed and wished we could see The 25th Annual Putnam County SPELLING BEE. Friday night, our wish came true. And how.

For those who’ve never seen the show, it is indeed about a spelling bee. All the actors portray much younger people, and are supposed to be in grade school. Though each character explains their issues in a way that a child might, they also employ a heart-rending clarity that an adult struggling to overcome these issues and share these grown up feelings with the audience.

The characters, one by one, explain who they are and several of them proclaim why it’s important they win the bee. There are three “adults” in the show and they, too, share their reasons for being at the bee and what their struggles are. Artistic director Karen Azenburg uses her talent brilliantly. Though this show is slightly unbelievable, I wanted it to be real and it’s because its director made it so.

Rona Lisa Peretti, the bee officiator, is played winningly (slight pun!) by Mary Fanning Driggs. She has that little quirk that all people in charge have, the little smug smile, the little twinkle in her eye that lets you know she is Running This Spelling Bee. Ms. Driggs was perfect for the part (and get used to the word perfect, as I will say it a lot in this review) because though she was authoritative, she was warm and sweet and slightly vulnerable, too.

Jeff Talbot plays the co-officiator Douglas Paunch. Lucky Talbot gets a lot of the funniest lines when they spellers ask for definitions of the words and then sentences to explain the words. Of course, one of my favorites is the word “cow.” See the show. You’ll get what I mean. Talbot is very good with his dry humor and quick wit. He was perfectly cast.

The third adult is Mitch Mahoney, played by Erick Pinnick, who is the Counselor for the kids who mess up in the bee and have to leave. (And “The Goodbye Song” for the losers is really funny, with great choreography by Daniel Pelzig.) Pinnick has a great voice and is really entertaining. And he did seem to comfort those who had to leave the bee. I thought he might be a throw away character, but he becomes much more important as the bee continues. To our delight.

The kids are all wonderful. As we drove home, we talked about each one and realized we couldn’t really choose a favorite–they’re all so cute and funny and real.

Chip Tolentino, the previous year’s bee winner, is played by Jacob Hoffman. After Chip disgraces himself slightly and loses his spot in the competition, he is “forced” to come into the audience to sell candy and that was really cute. Even though I know Hoffman is an adult, he was a really cute kid and believable, too.

Elise Groves plays lisping Logainne (pronounced Logan) Schwartzandgrubenierre (and I just figured out why she has that unusually long last name but won’t tell you because you need to see the show.) Logainne has many reasons why she needs to win the bee and her problems and even heartbreak regarding winning (and other things) is very obvious and clear to the audience. Ms. Groves is fantastic (how can you sing with that pronounced lisp?) and a delight on stage.

Leaf Coneybear is darlingly played by Austin Archer. We loved his portrayal. Really loved it. How can you not fall in love with a kid who shows up to the bee in a cape and a tie dye shirt and has that cute little boy wonder Archer brings to Leaf? One word describes Archer’s Leaf: adorable.

Kendal Sparks’ William Barfee (pronounced bar-FAY) is so fun. His Magic Foot song is one of the best in the show, with my favorite choreographed dance. I was drawn to Sparks’ portrayal of the science-spelling geek. I am no scientist, but have my own geek personality quirks that made me relate to his finely-drawn character.
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Over-achieving Marcy Park, played by Shannon Tyo, was great. Her song and dance “I Speak Six Languages” was exhaustingly darling. Tyo has great pipes and her physicality makes her portrayal unbelievably believable. Wow.

We have a special love for Olive Ostrovsky, who sings the “Dictionary” song. Emily Walton brings a sweet tenderness and vulnerability to Olive, from the way she stands, her strident voice as she sings and her very real hurts. I admit, I wanted her to win. Did she? I’m not telling. See the show.

Part of Spelling Bee is four audience members were chosen to be in the show as spellers. And this bit was awesome, and the audience member spellers were all really great, getting into the dances and singing along. (We weren’t picked, though we wanted to be. <slight pout>)

The set, designed by Daniel Meeker, combined with the lighting by Michael Gilliam was amazing. It looked like a real gym (without the smell.)

Props to musical director Helen Gregory. All her singers were amazing. Everyone had great voices and I could understand each word clearly, even those sung by Logainne the lisper.

There are a few non-PG moments and a few swears. But I would really recommend this show to any kid, maybe 8 or older, who loves musicals. It’s two hours long, but it’s a quick two hours and zips by. It does start at 8:00, so if you have kids who turn into pumpkins at 9 o’clock sharp, they may need to miss this one. However, do go see this show, with or without your pumpkins. You will laugh and also be touched by the fun and sweetness that is wrapped up in this show.

The 25th Annual Putman County SPELLING BEE

Pioneer Theatre Company, University of Utah
300 S. 1400 E. SLC, UT 84112
801-581-6961

Evening show times: Monday through Thursday is 7:30 pm. Friday and Saturday evenings are at 8:00 pm and Saturday Matinee is at 2 pm.

Prices from $38-$64