REVIEW: The Armidale Drama and Musical Society (ADMS) has delivered a highly entertaining production, in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. This charming and comedic musical, known for its wit, heart, and audience interaction, is a perfect fit for its talented cast and creative team.
It’s easy to see why this show won the Tony Award for Best Book of a Musical and the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Book of a Musical. With its sharp humour, loveable characters, and moments of unexpected emotional depth, Spelling Bee is a modern musical theatre favourite—and ADMS does it full justice.
The ensemble cast seamlessly balanced comedy with touching moments of vulnerability. Kayla Laing as Olive Ostrovsky effortlessly tugs at our heartstrings with her heartfelt delivery of the I Love You Song, while Nick Troon as William Barfee owns his role from the moment he steps out on the stage, adding a quirky and memorable physicality to his role.
Geneva Stocker, impressed as Logainne Schwartz and Grubenierre, not only maintaining her character’s signature lisp flawlessly throughout the show but also carrying it seamlessly into her singing. Belle Meyer brought a wonderfully composed presence to Marcy Park, balancing her character’s perfectionism with subtle humour.
Calliden Hunter was delightfully quirky as Leaf Coneybear, infusing the role with infectious energy and comedic charm. James Meyer delivered an entertaining and dynamic performance as Chip Tolentino, making the most of every moment on stage.
The “adults” in the show added another layer of humour and heart, grounding the chaos of the spelling bee with their own distinct quirks. Emily Waldron effortlessly balanced her role as the composed and enthusiastic spelling bee host, Rona Lisa Peretti with moments of nostalgia for her own championship days. While Neil Horton is the delightfully deadpan and sardonic moderator of the Spelling Bee, Vice Principal Douglas Panch, providing an amusing contrast to the eccentric contestants.
Doug Rumble rounded out the trio as Mitch Mahoney, the reluctant “comfort counsellor” with a tough exterior but a surprising depth of heart. His powerful vocals and dry humour added a wonderful contrast to the high-energy spellers, making his presence both amusing and unexpectedly touching.
Spelling Bee is a show that keeps you on your toes. One of the show’s most enjoyable aspects is its audience participation, which adds an unpredictable and hilarious element to each performance. Before the show begins, volunteers are discreetly approached by the production team and asked if they would like to take part in the on-stage spelling bee. Those who agree are seamlessly integrated into the competition, going head-to-head with the cast in a series of spelling challenges—sometimes with surprisingly difficult (or amusingly easy) words!
The cast handled these moments with expert improvisation, ensuring the audience members felt at ease while still creating plenty of laugh-out-loud moments. Watching unsuspecting participants attempt tongue-twisting words or react to the quirky rules of the bee made each show unique and delightfully unpredictable.
Spelling Bee is the directorial debut of Katherine Frazier, and she should be applauded for delivering with such aplomb, a show that any experienced director would be proud of. Musical direction, led by Kees Grenyer was spot-on, with the live band providing seamless accompaniment to the cast’s vocal performances. Choreography by Ameilia Munro – Spelling Bee was also her debut – has deftly managed to create fun, well executed numbers within the limitations of a very tight stage. The simple yet effective set design created an authentic school gymnasium feel, while the colourful costumes perfectly captured the quirkiness of each contestant.
It’s always a joy to see the Armidale theatre community come together, and this production was no exception.
ADMS’s The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is a must-see, delivering a delightful mix of humour, heart, and audience interaction. With a script that is effortlessly funny, a cast that brings it to life with energy and charm, and an orchestra that elevates each moment without overshadowing the performers, this production is a testament to the magic of community theatre. Whether you’re a theatre enthusiast or simply looking for a fun night – or afternoon – out, this show will leave you grinning from ear to ear.
With only 4 performances to go from this Wednesday evening and closing on Saturday, grab your tickets at https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1347386