The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee has been one of the more popular shows of recent years, but this fun musical comedy is still managing to attract a healthy audience. Murray Music and Drama’s current production seems to have found some points of difference, meaning even those who have seen the show multiple times could find something new.

Of course, part of the charm of this show is that with the inclusion of audience members to supplement the spelling contestants in this competition, every show is a bit different. There are also several points in the show where you can vary the text or improvise, and Murray did this very well.

The Civic Centre’s stage nicely resembles a school gymnasium stage, and ring-of-truth decorations brought Putnam Middle School to life. Music was provided by a single keyboard, played by Kenn Ellis, seated on stage. Costumes, co-ordinated by Jacinta Gordon, were well-suited to each character, and lighting design, a joint effort from Michaela Gosby, Rp van der Westhuizen and Lori Anders, was very effective.

Instead of using the original 9-member cast, director Lori Anders decided to reduce the doubling and expand the cast to fourteen, and employs smiling “Worker Bees” in fun t-shirts who help to administer the bee, adding an ensemble feel at times and doubling in roles.

Running the Bee is local realtor Rona Lisa Peretti, played with panache and quiet authority by Mishka Miller. She works nicely with Jarrad Thomas playing the slightly unhinged Vice Principal Douglas Panch. Ruthy Coleman is excellent as Michelle (Mitch) Mahoney, serving as Comfort Councillor as part of her Community Service requirements. Usually played by a man, Murray had permission to gender flip this role, I was surprised how effectively this worked - largely due to her strong performance.

The Spellers were a diverse group. Steven Jones, blessed with superb comic timing, was great fun as alpha-male, over-achiever Chip Tolentino. Luca Daniel made a strange and loveable home-schooled Leaf Coneybear, with Joel Gal moving well and lovely as the lugubrious William Barfee. 

Bella Lambert, becoming somewhat of a favourite of Pinjarra directors and audiences, was adorable as the lisping Logainne Schwartzandgrubenniere. Sophie Boyland, in only her second Community Theatre role was seriously “not all business” and strong as Marcy Park. Escher Roe, reprising the role of Olive Ostrovsky that she played so successfully for Laughing Horse earlier this year, once again owned this role, singing superbly and delighting the audience.

In supporting roles, Abigail Kotara, Kelly Cure and Anna Marias kept things running smoothly as Worker Bees, and nicely played family members of the contestants. Karen Godfrey, singing superbly, despite a non-functioning microphone, and Peter Bonner perform well in what might be best described as guest appearances, as Olive’s parents, joining Easter Roe for a show stopping I Love You Song.

The warm and welcoming atmosphere at Murray was, as always, outstanding - and the table decorations are beautiful. Take some friends and some snacks and enjoy the cabaret seating and this fun incarnation of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.

Kimberley Shaw