The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
at Los Alamitos High School

Reviewed on February 26, 2014

NameSchoolPublication/Broadcasts
SOCSA Dana Hills
Orange County Register
SOCSA Dana Hills
Orange County Register
Tesoro
Orange County Register
Tesoro
Orange County Register
Lutheran High School of Orange County
OC Cappies Facebook
Lutheran High School of Orange County
OC Cappies Facebook



Siena Brown
SOCSA Dana Hills

Submitted for publication to Orange County Register

Los Alamitos's "Bee" Casts a Spell

Siena Brown is a sophomore at SOCSA Dana Hills in Dana Point

H-I-L-A-R-I-O-U-S. Hilarious. That is the quintessential word to describe Los Alamitos High School's recent production of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. Combining frantic fun with a love of letters, the bee follows six valiant preteens on a journey to become the spelling bee champion, fearing nothing but the ding of the elimination bell.

Set at the fictional Putnam County High School, the set, designed by Alonso Law, simply and effectively creates the image of a school gym, complete with silver tiered bleachers and plain beige walls, decorated with a few basic school sports banners. The lighting (Jasmine Menendez) also adds to the effect, with a subtle and consistent shine reminiscent of customary school fluorescents. The set lays a straightforward palate for the actors to build upon in a thoroughly character-driven show.

The cast is lead by Sydney DeMaria as Olive Ostrovsky, a sweet but diffident girl who finds comfort in the words from her dictionary. DeMaria's silvery voice is colored with cheer and hope, and her pauses are timed perfectly for adequate comedic effect. Her most notable number is her "I Love You Song", in which DeMaria adds sentimentality to her character that is nearly palpable, as her hands reach out longingly to grasp the family that she feels distant from.

In contrast, Ryan Rogers portrays fellow contestant William Barfee with exceeding confidence, sauntering around the stage with a head held high. Rogers adds great physicality to his character, not only through his ever-present nasally character voice, but with broad, wide-armed movements as he bounds through the show. His face is always in the moment, reacting noticeably to every word whether or not the scene is focused on him. His over the top absurdity is paired nicely with DeMaria's more natural approach, creating a perfect partnership of foils.

Also notable is Courtney Manley's performance of Marcy Park, a straight-laced perfectionist. While initially beginning the show with a frigidly deadpan expression, hands secured neatly and firmly behind her back, Manley enables her character to develop into a more unrestricted person, up to the point where she can freely belt out her solo ("I Speak Six Languages") without worrying about being flawless.

With their first musical in nearly ten years, Los Alamitos has more than just a winner with "Spelling Bee": They have a champion.

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Siena Brown
SOCSA Dana Hills

Submitted for publication to Orange County Register

Los Alamitos's "Bee" Casts a Spell

Siena Brown is a sophomore at SOCSA Dana Hills in Dana Point

H-I-L-A-R-I-O-U-S. Hilarious. That is the quintessential word to describe Los Alamitos High School's recent production of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. Combining frantic fun with a love of letters, the bee follows six valiant preteens on a journey to become the spelling bee champion, fearing nothing but the ding of the elimination bell.

Set at the fictional Putnam County High School, the set, designed by Alonso Law, simply and effectively creates the image of a school gym, complete with silver tiered bleachers and plain beige walls, decorated with a few basic school sports banners. The lighting (Jasmine Menendez) also adds to the effect, with a subtle and consistent shine reminiscent of customary school fluorescents. The set lays a straightforward palate for the actors to build upon in a thoroughly character-driven show.

The cast is lead by Sydney DeMaria as Olive Ostrovsky, a sweet but diffident girl who finds comfort in the words from her dictionary. DeMaria's silvery voice is colored with cheer and hope, and her pauses are timed perfectly for adequate comedic effect. Her most notable number is her "I Love You Song", in which DeMaria adds sentimentality to her character that is nearly palpable, as her hands reach out longingly to grasp the family that she feels distant from.

In contrast, Ryan Rogers portrays fellow contestant William Barfee with exceeding confidence, sauntering around the stage with a head held high. Rogers adds great physicality to his character, not only through his ever-present nasally character voice, but with broad, wide-armed movements as he bounds through the show. His face is always in the moment, reacting noticeably to every word whether or not the scene is focused on him. His over the top absurdity is paired nicely with DeMaria's more natural approach, creating a perfect partnership of foils.

Also notable is Courtney Manley's performance of Marcy Park, a straight-laced perfectionist. While initially beginning the show with a frigidly deadpan expression, hands secured neatly and firmly behind her back, Manley enables her character to develop into a more unrestricted person, up to the point where she can freely belt out her solo ("I Speak Six Languages") without worrying about being flawless.

With their first musical in nearly ten years, Los Alamitos has more than just a winner with "Spelling Bee": They have a champion.

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Allie Graydon
Tesoro

Submitted for publication to Orange County Register

The word is "hilarious" at Los Alamitos

Allie Graydon is a senior at Tesoro High School in Las Flores

Los Alamitos's production of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is a bright, vivacious comedy with childlike characters, vibrant costumes, and songs brimming with laughs. The story highlights the contestants of the Putnam County Spelling Bee, a group of children with unique personalities and backgrounds, as they compete at Putnam County High School for first place in the bee. With an upbeat atmosphere and surprising character shifts, Los Alamitos's production is an academic amusement.

Ryan Rogers is hilariously awkward with erratic movements and a deep, nasally voice as the peculiar William Barfee. He constantly shifts between reserved and outrageous, shuffling his feet with his hands tucked close to him one minute, then suddenly flailing his arms and dragging his feet wildly across the stage as he dances during "Magic Foot". He embodies the stereotypical nerd as he constantly bites his lip to resemble an overbite and wipes his nose on his sleeve with a loud snort, even sneezing on an audience member. After he befriends Olive, however, his voice becomes tender and she is the only person he reaches out to touch, illustrating how he has come to care for her.

With an amiable smile and wide-eyed, innocent expression, Sydney DeMaria brings hope and compassion to the stage as Olive Ostrovsky. She shifts her feet and plays with her hands to convey her character's childlike personality and her face always brightens with a cheerful smile. Her high, youthful voice grows louder with delight and she hops excitedly when talking about her love of words; however, the clarity of her voice rings with sadness and her smile lessens during "The I Love You Song" as she laments her inattentive parents.

From dirty and disheveled to prim and proper, the colorful and cartoon-like costumes by Eligia Gonzalez, Daisy Haas, and Jessie Winslow reveal each character's distinct personality. William Barfee's untucked shirt, ratted brown shorts, and crumpled handkerchief give him an unprofessional, awkward appearance, while Logainne's bright blue overalls, red shirt, and rainbow pins reflect her bubbly personality and dedication to gay pride.

Through characters that range from stern to carefree, Los Alamitos' lively production combines zany antics with genuine insecurities of children as the characters gradually accept their failures with confidence. The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee proves that happiness is what truly makes a winner.

^ top



Allie Graydon
Tesoro

Submitted for publication to Orange County Register

The word is "hilarious" at Los Alamitos

Allie Graydon is a senior at Tesoro High School in Las Flores

Los Alamitos's production of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is a bright, vivacious comedy with childlike characters, vibrant costumes, and songs brimming with laughs. The story highlights the contestants of the Putnam County Spelling Bee, a group of children with unique personalities and backgrounds, as they compete at Putnam County High School for first place in the bee. With an upbeat atmosphere and surprising character shifts, Los Alamitos's production is an academic amusement.

Ryan Rogers is hilariously awkward with erratic movements and a deep, nasally voice as the peculiar William Barfee. He constantly shifts between reserved and outrageous, shuffling his feet with his hands tucked close to him one minute, then suddenly flailing his arms and dragging his feet wildly across the stage as he dances during "Magic Foot". He embodies the stereotypical nerd as he constantly bites his lip to resemble an overbite and wipes his nose on his sleeve with a loud snort, even sneezing on an audience member. After he befriends Olive, however, his voice becomes tender and she is the only person he reaches out to touch, illustrating how he has come to care for her.

With an amiable smile and wide-eyed, innocent expression, Sydney DeMaria brings hope and compassion to the stage as Olive Ostrovsky. She shifts her feet and plays with her hands to convey her character's childlike personality and her face always brightens with a cheerful smile. Her high, youthful voice grows louder with delight and she hops excitedly when talking about her love of words; however, the clarity of her voice rings with sadness and her smile lessens during "The I Love You Song" as she laments her inattentive parents.

From dirty and disheveled to prim and proper, the colorful and cartoon-like costumes by Eligia Gonzalez, Daisy Haas, and Jessie Winslow reveal each character's distinct personality. William Barfee's untucked shirt, ratted brown shorts, and crumpled handkerchief give him an unprofessional, awkward appearance, while Logainne's bright blue overalls, red shirt, and rainbow pins reflect her bubbly personality and dedication to gay pride.

Through characters that range from stern to carefree, Los Alamitos' lively production combines zany antics with genuine insecurities of children as the characters gradually accept their failures with confidence. The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee proves that happiness is what truly makes a winner.

^ top



Cambria Denim
Lutheran High School of Orange County

Submitted for publication to OC Cappies Facebook

Memorable Moments at Los Alamitos's Bee

After 10 years without musical productions, Los Alamitos High School makes its return with the beloved musical comedy The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. The show follows an elementary school spelling bee full of unique, passionate spellers, while also showcasing anecdotes about their personal lives. The quirky comedy, sprinkled with adult undertones, is heartwarming and fulfilling while also speaking to the child in all of its audience members.

The set (designed by Alonso Law) is minimal, which allows for the appropriate ambience while still letting the characters be the main focus. Because this show calls for audience participation in which audience members are dragged around the stage, there is little clutter and plenty of room to move around. The lighting (designed by Jasmine Menendez) perfectly highlights different moments (a favorite being the extreme color shift during Leaf's spelling trance) while seamlessly moving throughout the story. The lighting helps distinguish when we are in and outside of the bee, whether that is within someone's mind or in a story from their past.

The cast shares a collective energy: they are definitely an ensemble, working off of one another's choices to highlight both themselves, and everyone around them. Alejandro Brewer is nothing short of charming as Mitch Mahoney: whether he is interacting with an actor or an audience participant, he displays a sweetness around the rough edges. Alonso Law's subtlety only adds to the hilarity of his portrayal of Vice Principal: not one of the zanier characters, he takes full advantage of the opportunity to present his lines with dry wit. Ryan Rogers is a standout as William Barfee. He is completely dedicated to his character, even when the action does not center around him, and there is never a ceasing moment in his posture or his speech, all while being understandable. Rogers's portrayal has the audience excited whenever he opens his mouth to speak. While some actors do not have the vocal ability that the score demands, they are all commendable character actors, and invested in one another.

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is a fun, hysterical romp through the psyche of childhood competition. Not only are the student-designed technical elements terrific, but also the cast works together with an infectious good energy. This musical is sure to spring forth a multitude of other excellent Los Alamitos musicals that audiences will enjoy!

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Cambria Denim
Lutheran High School of Orange County

Submitted for publication to OC Cappies Facebook

Memorable Moments at Los Alamitos's Bee

After 10 years without musical productions, Los Alamitos High School makes its return with the beloved musical comedy The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. The show follows an elementary school spelling bee full of unique, passionate spellers, while also showcasing anecdotes about their personal lives. The quirky comedy, sprinkled with adult undertones, is heartwarming and fulfilling while also speaking to the child in all of its audience members.

The set (designed by Alonso Law) is minimal, which allows for the appropriate ambience while still letting the characters be the main focus. Because this show calls for audience participation in which audience members are dragged around the stage, there is little clutter and plenty of room to move around. The lighting (designed by Jasmine Menendez) perfectly highlights different moments (a favorite being the extreme color shift during Leaf's spelling trance) while seamlessly moving throughout the story. The lighting helps distinguish when we are in and outside of the bee, whether that is within someone's mind or in a story from their past.

The cast shares a collective energy: they are definitely an ensemble, working off of one another's choices to highlight both themselves, and everyone around them. Alejandro Brewer is nothing short of charming as Mitch Mahoney: whether he is interacting with an actor or an audience participant, he displays a sweetness around the rough edges. Alonso Law's subtlety only adds to the hilarity of his portrayal of Vice Principal: not one of the zanier characters, he takes full advantage of the opportunity to present his lines with dry wit. Ryan Rogers is a standout as William Barfee. He is completely dedicated to his character, even when the action does not center around him, and there is never a ceasing moment in his posture or his speech, all while being understandable. Rogers's portrayal has the audience excited whenever he opens his mouth to speak. While some actors do not have the vocal ability that the score demands, they are all commendable character actors, and invested in one another.

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is a fun, hysterical romp through the psyche of childhood competition. Not only are the student-designed technical elements terrific, but also the cast works together with an infectious good energy. This musical is sure to spring forth a multitude of other excellent Los Alamitos musicals that audiences will enjoy!

^ top