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Usher Nonsense Vol. 2 No. 24
25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE
Music and Lyrics by: William Finn, Book by: Rachel Sheinkin Concept by Rebecca Feldman,
Directed by James Lapine
With Derrick Baskin, Deborah S. Crai, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Dan Fogler, Lisa Howard, Celia
Keenan-Bolger, Jose Llana, Jay Reiss, Sarah Saltzberg
Dan Knechtges (choreography), Michael Starobin (orchestrations), Vadim Feichtner (musical
direction), Beowulf Boritt (scenic), Jennifer Caprio (costumes)
Natasha Katz (lighting), Dan Moses Schreier (sound), Marty Kopulsky (hair and wig)
Second Stage Theatre 2 WEEKS ADDED! THRU MARCH 20! Your best bet is to call the
theatre and ask about no-shows. I'm told you should show up at 6:00. 212-787-8302
Well, just don’t drink a lot of water before you go see this show because it is 1 hour and 45 minutes
without intermission, and you will wet your pants. It might be from poor bladder control, but more
than likely it will be from laughing. Laughing at jokes so corny you can hear them rattling down the
track and laughing at a book and score that is hilarious and touching all rolled into one. This show
celebrates and lampoons in strokes so broad they cover just about everything from Jesus to a $25.00
entrance fee, and you will find yourself mixed in there somewhere.
These six “kids” are led through a spelling bee by adults who, like the kids, were never picked first for
any team ever. They are all squirrelly and dying to achieve SOMETHING so that their parents or
friends or, well, ANYONE will point to them with pride. On the way we learn each of their spelling
styles – fast feet, crossed eyes, whispering into a hand – and we learn their stories – parents of all
persuasions, some missing in action; puberty erectile onset, chronic sinus problems; perfection
pressures. We learn this through song (isn’t it fine to hear live music!) and dance and excellent
performances straight through. The directing is focused and sharp, the set is a gem of forced
perspective (as is the show itself) and costumes, wigs lights all combine so seamlessly – you just walk
out thinking that when theatre is good it is really really really good.
The story of the bee allemandes left and right with the stories of each character onstage and many of
the actors play more than one. Even thought five of them have to lose as the show progresses, we
never miss out on any of the inner stories, and we leave the theatre full to the brim. It’s like visiting a
little universe. Where everyone showed up for one night, risked it all, and left the gymnasium ready to
leap into the world - and spell it all correctly.
©2005 Tulis McCall