Theater Review: 'The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" at UConn

Review by Nancy Sasso Janis, Connecticut Critics Circle member

The Connecticut Repertory Theatre is sponsoring “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee '' on the stage of the Harriet S. Jorgensen Theatre on the campus of UConn Storrs. I was allowed to attend the preview performance and got to go up to share the stage with UConn students as a guest speller. This marked my sixth appearance as a guest speller and as always, I had so much fun. This charming musical, conceived by Rachel Feldman, with music and lyrics by William Finn and book by Rachel Sheinkin, never gets old.

Before the final dress rehearsal began, CRT Artistic Director Megan Monaghan Rivas was clearly thrilled to welcome audiences back to the Harriet S. Jorgensen Theatre with such a charming show. In press materials, she said “This show is a reminder of how much meaning we make when we really throw our hearts into something. The spellers in this bee have huge, heartfelt stakes in the outcome – and as they navigate the throes of adolescence, all those strong feelings come right up to the surface in song.”

“As we reopen the refurbished Harriet S. Jorgensen Theatre, whose upgrades were supported by the School of Fine Arts, we want everybody to join in the fun. The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is built for audience participation, with guest spellers invited to join in the shenanigans onstage,” said Rivas.

Directed by guest artist Freddie Ashley with charming choreography by Brandon Kelly, a member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society, a national theatrical labor union.

I was extremely impressed with the scenic design by Cody Tellis Rutledge, a first year MFA candidate in his first CRT design experience. This show is usually marked with the look of a small school gymnasium and Rutledge’s vision definitely retains the gym setting. However, there are many drop down pieces that bring this set design to a new level. Lighting design by Kayo Tokuue adds much to the great look of the stage.

Aidan James, a sophomore BFA Acting student, plays the quirky Leaf Coneybear in his first CRT production. Sophomore Cipa Frost plays the Logainne Schwartzandgrubenierre as she makes her CRT debut. The actress nails some topical references in the second act.

I sat next to sophomore Ella Niewood as the lovely young Olive Ostrovsky for much of her heartfelt performance in her first CRT production and she did it very well. Julian Setiadi, a junior from Bridgeport, covers the role of the “lugubrious” William Barfee in his CRT debut. Dayo Garritano, a junior from Wilton, plays the reigning champ Chip Tolentino who comes to the Bee wearing his Scout uniform. I was able to see Garritano when he played Archibald Craven in “The Secret Garden,” for which he earned a Halo Award for Best Lead Actor in a Musical.”

Sophomore Jordan Au portrays the overachiever Marcy Park in her first performance with CRT.

Senior BFA Acting student Alex Winnick is the high-strung Vice Principal Douglas Panch, a last minute fill-in word pronouncer. Senior Annie Tolis is the lovely Rona Lisa Peretti and sings beautifully. Brandon Javier Collado, a UConn sophomore who is from Danbury, plays the “Comfort Counselor” Mitch Mahoney in his CRT debut.

The director has expanded the cast with understudy performers who cover the supporting roles usually played by the leads. UConn junior Alyson Liew, who understudies the role of Marcy, is stunning in the role of Jesus. Liew is lowered into view seated upon the letters “JC,” dressed in silver and white with a sparkly crown. Charles Rusciano, a UConn senior who understudies the biblical role, returns to CRT to play Logainne’s Dan Dad. Junior Evan Wolfgang plays Carl Dad, as well as Olive’s Dad and the Coneybear’s Dad. Wolfgang recently directed and debuted his original adaptation of Lewis Carroll’s novel, “Alice’s Adventures.”

Junior Katherine Berryhill gets to sing the plaintive “I Love You Song” as Olive’s Mom. Gianna Nichols plays Leaf’s Mom and is the Olive understudy in her CRT debut. Emma Schreiber, a junior who is the Schwarzy understudy, plays Coneybear sibling 1 and second year MFA student Sarah Cripsey, the Rona understudy, plays a second sibling.

Jerry Harney, a first year Puppet Arts graduate student, is the puppet constructor. Kudos to the props designer Gino Costabile, who is originally from Ridgefield, on a job really well done. Costabile has worked as a Props Artisan for several shows at Hartford Stage, including “Anastasia,” Quixote Nuervo," "The Flamingo Kid” and “Kiss My Aztec!” Keep an eye out for several very clever, letter-themed touches that made me smile.

The show features costume design by Adri Gonzalez Hernandez, a first-year MFA student, who is making their debut as a costume designer. I got to meet the costume designer during intermission and I was delighted to see up close their carefully crafted costumes for each of the well-drawn characters. Standout pieces included the pants of Leaf, the printed tights worn by Logainne, the change for “I Speak Six Languages” and the large sneaker puppets for “Magic Foot.” In the future, I will not be able to imagine this number being performed with shoes to be part of it.

Sound design by Dennis Dowding and Jake Neighbors had a few hiccups at the preview that I am sure will be remedied. Dmitriy Glivinskiy, a Ukrainian vocal coach and conductor, is the music director and conducts the small orchestra from somewhere offstage.

“Spelling Bee” runs April 19 – 28, 2024 in the Harriet S. Jorgensen Theatre. I highly encourage you to head to Storrs to enjoy this delightful show. As it states in press materials, you can cheer on the “six eclectic, mid-pubescent spelling bee contestants as they vie for the coveted county championship and struggle to avoid the soul-crushing ‘ding’ of the elimination bell. Winning isn’t everything and losing does not necessarily make you a loser. This H-I-L-A-R-I-O-U-S and witty Tony-Award-winning musical includes an opportunity for audience participation, so dust off your dictionary and come join us!”

The official Press Opening is Friday, April 19 at 8pm (reception to follow.) Performances are scheduled for April 20 at 8 pm, April 23 at 7:30 pm, April 24 at 7:30 pm, April 26 at 8 pm, April 27 at 2 pm (talkback to follow) and PATRON MASKING REQUIRED. Masks are encouraged but not required for most performances.

Also, April 27 at 8 pm, April 28 at 2 pm. There is no performance on Thursday, April 25.

The show is presented in the Harriet S. Jorgensen Theatre, UConn Campus, Storrs, CT 06269.

Tickets may be purchased online at crt.uconn.edu, by phone at 860-486-2113, or via email to crtboxoffice@uconn.edu. Group rates are available. Schedule, sales and health & safety information is available online 24/7 at crt.uconn.edu. Box Office hours are Monday – Friday 11 am – 1 pm and one hour prior to curtain.

Children must be age 4 or older to attend the theater and this show would probably be rated PG13.

Parking in campus surface lots is free after 5 pm weeknights and on the weekends. There is paid parking available in the North Garage. Please note that dates, times and Health and Safety policies are subject to change.

Nancy Sasso Janis has been writing theater reviews since 2012 as a way to support local venues, and she posts well over 100 reviews each year. She became a member of the Connecticut Critics Circle in 2016. Her contributions of theatrical reviews, previews, and audition notices are posted in the Naugatuck Patch as well as the Patch sites closest to the venue. She is also a feature writer and theater reviewer for the Waterbury Republican-American newspaper. Her weekly column IN THE WINGS and theater reviews appear in the Thursday Weekend section of the newspaper.

Follow the reviewer on her Facebook pages Nancy Sasso Janis: Theatre Reviewer and Connecticut Theatre Previews and on Twitter @nancysjanis417 Check out the CCC Facebook page.