Paramount Theatre: The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee Review
(front L to R) Elizabeth Stenholt, Teddy Gales, Ann Delaney, (back, L to R) Shelbi Voss, Nic Dantes, and Ben Broughton
Paramount Theatre Presents THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE Review - That’s So Elementary School
TLDR: This production of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is sure to please long time fans and new ones alike as the cast delivers on the fun and quirkiness of each of their characters. With a realistic set design, we feel like we are right in the spelling bee ourselves watching the action.
Veronica Garza and Ann Delaney
Enter Into the School Gymnasium at Paramount
As we walk into the Copley Theatre for The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, the set design by Lauren M. Nichols feels like a dodgeball could fly at our heads at any second and can almost smell the floor polish. We're immediately transported back to a school gym with red and yellow padding on the walls, a rack with various sporting equipment sitting in the corner, school activity posters lining the walls, and metal bleachers standing at the ready for the contestants.
In comes the enthusiastic Rona Lisa Peretti, played by Veronica Garza, her arms laden with a large Stanley mug, a cell phone collection box, and an official clipboard. She makes her way across the bleachers and excitedly welcomes us to the spelling bee. But first a quick flashback to Rona’s winning moment from the spelling bee years ago. Her eyes look up towards the spotlight and we see the sparkle in her eye. She’s always been in love with the bee and can’t wait to share it with us as well.
During the first act we’re introduced to each of the contestants and their quirks, from William Barfee’s magic foot, to Leaf’s moments of inspirations when he spells, to Logainne’s spelling on her arm and penchant for social justice rants.There’s the jock, the goodie two shoes, the outsider. They all come from different backgrounds and have different interests that we get to find out as the show goes on. Each character gets their moment in the spotlight and we also see how each one deals with the mounting pressure of, what happens if they’re not #1?
And if you're in the mood to be part of the show, don’t forget to sign up to be a volunteer participant at the table outside the theater! If you’re lucky, you might be able to join the bee for a round or two.
Nothing But Fun, Laughter, and Joy
Only when there’s a slow or heartfelt song does the audience stop laughing throughout this production. Even though there’s so much pressure these kids are getting from their parents or putting on themselves, it’s never enough to drag the mood down for long as there’s always a silver lining for each of them.
Olive (Elizabeth Stenholt) and William Barfee (pronounced Bar-fay not Bar-fee) are cute as they giggle and snort over rearranging letters and their love of words. Homeschooled Leaf Coneybear (Ben Broughton) wears bright yellow pants, green suspenders, and a fringed jean jacket decked out in space cats. He dances around the stage while he waits for the spelling of the word to miraculously come to him. Marcy Park (Shelbi Voss) has us cheering after her “I Speak Six Languages” listing her various achievements and skills when she comes to the realization she doesn’t have to be good at everything.
Every other moment is filled with funny punchlines from the script or a little improv bits. Garza and Richards as Rona and Vice Principal Panch are a hoot and a half pulling out some improv bits as Rona gives fun facts about the spellers and Panch needs a CBD gummy and a juicebox to chill him out.
(front) Shelbi Voss, (back) Elizabeth Stenholt, Ann Delaney, Veronica Garza, Teddy Gales, and Jason Richards
The After Party Thoughts
We feel the drive to win from each of our contestants and thrive from the energy of the competition. The cast makes every moment enjoyable as they create memorable characters and mannerisms that make each of their characters unique. All together it looks like all of them are having a blast on stage and we have fun right alongside them.
For those of you who are like me and are in the Chicago area, I’d say it’s worth a trip out to the burbs to see this production. If you’re a longtime fan of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, this production will not disappoint if you want to see it again onstage. This show would be a good fit if you're looking for a fun and light hearted musical with lots of endearing moments.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
When
Now through April 27, 2025
Where
The Copley Theatre
8 E Galena Blvd.
Aurora, IL 60506
Runtime: 2hrs, including intermission
Tickets
$40+
Tickets can be purchased by calling the box office at (630) 896-6666 or through the Paramount Theatre website
Photos
Amy Nelson
Find Allie and The After Party featured on Theatre in Chicago
CAST
Ann Delaney (Logainne Schwartzandgrubenniere/Leaf’s mom)
Veronica Garza (Rona Lisa Perretti/Olive’s mom)
Jason Richards (Douglas Panch)
Elizabeth Stenholt (Olive Ostrovsky)
Shelbi Voss (Marcy Park)
Ben Broughton (Leaf Coneybear/Carl Grubenierre)
Naphtali Curry (Mitch Mahoney/Dan Schwartz/Olive's dad),
Nic Dantes (Chip Tolentino/Jesus Christ)
Teddy Gales (William Barfee/Leaf's dad)
Matheus Barbee (Understudy)
Jamie Dillon Grossman (Understudy)
David Blakeman (Understudy)
Sunnie Eraso (Understudy)
Halle Bins (Understudy)
CREATIVE
Stephen Schellhardt (Director)
Morgan DiFonzo (Choreographer and assistant director)
Kory Danielson (Music director and music supervisor)
Cameron Tragesser (Conductor and associate music director)
Otto Vogel (Associate conductor)
Lauren M. Nichols (Scenic designer)
Theresa Ham (Costume designer)
G. “Max” Maxin IV (Lighting designer)
Adam Rosenthal (Sound designer)
Aimee Plant (Properties designer)
Ethan Deppe (Electronic music designer)
Susan Gosdick (Dialect coach)
Matthew Silar (Stage manager)
Amanda Blanco (Assistant stage manager)
