![]() Mitch also makes a delightful cameo appearance as Jesus to give counsel to conflicted Marcy. ![]() The actual adults get their moments: emcee and former spelling champ Rona Peretti with “My Favorite Moment” or doubling as Olive's missing mother off on an ashram in “The I Love You Song” – Courtney Markowitz) harried score keeper Vice Principal Panch in “The Rules” and “Spelling Montage” – Steve Irish) and referee Mitch in “Prayer of the Comfort Counselor” – Camryn Nunley). It's a pleasure to watch them – and hear them – belting out their anthems to pre-teen angst (innocent Leaf's “I'm Not That Smart” – Christopher Scurlock) pressure (Logainne's “Woe Is Me” – Reghan Scott) warfare advantage (Barfee's “Magic Foot” – Mark Ivy) self awareness (Olive's “My Friend, the Dictionary” – Anna Maria) regal self assurance (Marcy's “I Speak Six Languages” – Amber Gray) and budding sex (Chip's peaen to his wayward erection “Chip's Lament” – John Ryan Del Bosque). They're as natural as kids caught up in competition, one-upping each other, playing little psychological games, warped by their parents, or self-destructing all on their own. Stages' cast is well-nigh perfect with everybody giving their all. It's deftly constructed, easy on the ears with its character-driven songs, and gently nudges the inner outsider in us all. There's no doubting its appeal and easygoing charm. Like their own creations in the fictional Putnam County middle school gym, they're waved goodbye and given a juice box for participation.īut Putnam continues to shine on its world-wide run. Finn had modest success with Little Miss Sunshine (2011), but both of them have seemed to come in second place respected but under appreciated. Her Tony win for Putnam's book certainly elevated her status but she's yet to parlay that into subsequent success. Finn had created a buzz with his off-Broadway Falsettos, which would win him deserved Tonys for its book and score, and Sheinkin was a struggling librettist. Pre-2005, Finn and Sheinkin were outliers too. ![]() But these weighty issues are handled with the lightest of touches that only the high gloss of Broadway can camouflage with such panache. The six contestants battle all the usual suspects: raging hormones, the stigma of nerdiness, helicopter or absentee parents, the maw of competition, the pressure of failure, their dubious place in the world, their bursting personalities yet to be formed. Regardless of its disposable score, this little musical by William Finn (music and lyrics) and Rachel Sheinkin (book) grew into an international cult hit probably because of its smarmy wit and unalloyed joy of watching adults play children and the adult characters acting like kids.Īh, the joys of adolescence. Presented with all the natural charm and esprit de corps at its professional disposal, Stages puts on quite a show with its adorable production of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (2005).
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