The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
at Albert Einstein High School

Reviewed on November 11, 2017

Jennifer Stoughton
Poolesville High School
Submitted for publication to Cappies News

Albert Einstein High School's S.T.A.G.E.'s production of "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" was absolutely scintillating, s-c-i-n-t-i-l-l-a-t-i-n-g, scintillating (definition: brilliantly and excitingly clever or skillful). From A to Z, this show hit audiences in their hearts just as often as in their funny bones, and Einstein S.T.A.G.E.'s portrayal of the story left nothing wanting.

"Spelling Bee" tells the story of ten people competing in a spelling bee, only six of whom are actors. The other four contestants were pulled from the audience, and while this could potentially spell disaster, the student actors were able to play off these volunteers to great effect, even going so far as incorporating them into dance numbers. The show constantly taps cracks into the fourth wall, but the actors played this balance so effortlessly that it felt natural.

Stand-out performances were given by Mitch Mahoney (Steven Franco), Olive Ostrovsky (Isabella Benning), Leaf Coneybear (Allegra Levone), and Chip Tolentino (Dylan Kaufman). Franco's vocals were an astounding contrast against his tough-guy persona. Benning had great range of acting, showcased brilliantly in "I Love You Song". Levone gave a show-stealing performance with every line, and broke every heart in the audience when she had to leave. Last but certainly not least, Kaufman's re-introduction to the story with his Act II opening, "Chip's Lament", was endlessly hilarious.

This production featured a minimal set put to great use by the actors on stage. The choreography (by Aryana Briner and Grace Keller) filled the stage without ever overcrowding it, even in the chaos of the musical number "Pandemonium." The lights were impeccably timed with both the music and the dialogue and despite some mic troubles there was great use of echo reverb effects. Costumes were not overwhelming but fit seamlessly into the stage picture, and the orchestra never drowned out the actors.

Overall, "Spelling Bee" was a gut-busting production that wrought both tears of laughter and tears of sadness. Despite the satirical nature of the show each actor could find some genuine aspect of their character to show to the audience, and that is what made the entire production so touching. I hope to see more of this technical prowess and masterful character work as Albert Einstein High School continues to put on shows throughout the school year.

Stephanie Lehrman
Poolesville High School
Submitted for publication to Cappies News 2

Eudemonic: to produce happiness. No word better fits Albert Einstein High School's production of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. Featuring personable characters, powerful voices, and brilliant tech, it truly captured the touching story of six stressed students brought together by a spelling bee.

The production was equally hilarious and heartbreaking. Vice Principal Douglas Panch (Joey Lambert) deadpanned ludicrous definitions and sentences for equally farcical words while Rona Lisa Peretti (Elizabeth Henley) encouraged the spellers with her light, airy voice. However, the audience would often be given glances into the tragic lives of the six spellers. As characters were eliminated, the audience audibly reacted, sad that their favorite speller had lost.

The set, lights, and orchestra coexisted in the same space, and no one element stood out too much or took up too much space. The onstage orchestra did not overpower the actors, but still filled the auditorium with bright sound. The main set piece was a back piece with moveable doors, which would open and close as spellers were eliminated. This movement was both smooth and speedy, allowing the exits to be dramatic but not sluggish. Finally, the lights were crisp and natural.

An impressive aspect of this show was the ability of the actors to both synchronize group numbers and allow their characters to vividly shine. Every actor was perfectly in tune with their character, and it was evident in their mannerisms, expressions, and tone. The choreography also aided in this, as seen in "Magic Foot," where almost all the movements were below the waist, or in "Pandemonium," where the actors frantically ran around the stage. Leaf Coneybear (Allegra Levone) was particularly dedicated, easily floating around the stage when she was standing and fidgeting while she was sitting to exhibit her character's easily distracted nature.

Einstein's 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee was clean and professional. It doesn't need to be spelled out that this was a fantastic show!

Anja Prien
Northwood High School Academy
Submitted for publication to Patch.com

C-R-E-P-E-S-C-U-L-E? Correct. Students from Putnam County have been preparing for the 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, and this year's bee was absolutely incredible! To spell it out for you, Albert Einstein High School put on an amazing performance of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee!

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee features six students (and a few audience extras) who are competing to win the spelling bee trophy and prove that they are the best spellers in Putnam County. Each character has a unique background, and with William Barfee ("prounounced Bar-fay!") using his Magic Foot, or with Leaf Coneybear's delightful antics, or Vice Prinicpal Douglas Panch's comical monotone, there's something for everyone to enjoy! Who will win first place?

Albert Einstein High School blew the audience away with their production! The audience was laughing and cheering throughout the entire performance, and the actors maintained high energy in both acts. The spellers were the highlight of this production, and their performance of Pandemonium had the audience clapping along. Their movement, interactions with each other and the audience, and their choreography brought the song to life. Life IS pandemonium!

Samuel Intrater was a hit as William Barfee, the eclectic speller who relies on a few tricks to get to the top. Barfee seems a little rude at first, but Intrater made the character relatable, and soon the audience was cheering him on. Isabella Benning blew us all away as Olive Ostrovsky, the scatter-brained student with an absent family but with a bright outlook on life. Both of their vocals and Intrater's moves were amazing and in character. Steven Franco shone as Mitch Mahoney, the Comfort Counselor fulfilling his court-ordered community service. He wowed in Prayer of the Comfort Counselor and in the numerous reprises of Goodbye.

Joey Lambert was hilarious as Vice Principal Douglas Panch. His monotone and numerous one-liners had the audience unable to contain their laughter. Lambert's demeanor, straight face, and character arc made his performance even better. Allegra Levone was amazing as Leaf Coneybear, the strange and lovable speller. The audience was empathetic to her struggles, especially in I'm Not That Smart, and everyone was sad to see her go.

The technology used for this production made the show so much better. Special audio effects made a slow-motion scene comical and believable, while the lighting made the characters and scenes stand out. Even though some mics cut in and out, the actors quickly projected their voices louder and made sure the entire audience could hear them. While the set did not change very much due to the nature of the show, it was very detailed and well-done without being over-empowering. All in all, the technology was really nice!

The Einstein Pitt Orchestra did an incredible job. They made sure to keep their volume at a level where the voices could still be heard, but did an amazing performance in bringing the music to life.

The company was absolutely amazing. Their energy, acting, and comedic timing left the audience in stitches, and their overall performance created a lively atmosphere and left everyone smiling. BEE sure to check out Albert Einstein's production of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee!

Maggie Landis
Thomas A. Edison High School
Submitted for publication to Maryland Theater Guide

It's just a spelling bee: simple, right? Apparently, it's not; especially when your mom is on a nine-month spiritual quest, you can only breathe out of one nostril, you aren't smart, you've got two bickering dads, you're not "all business," or when you get an unfortunately timed erection. Luckily, Albert Einstein High School's production of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee was there to skillfully show the outcomes of such odd circumstances.

The original Broadway cast included stars such as Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Celia Keenan-Bolger, and Dan Fogler, and the show won multiple awards, including Outstanding Musical, Outstanding Ensemble Performance, plus Best Book (Rachel Sheinkin) and Best Featured Actor (Dan Fogler) at the 2005 Tony Awards.
 
Despite having only nine speaking roles, the minute cast produced an impressive powerhouse of energy, which they maintained throughout the show. This energy, however, was particularly evident during the wildly entertaining song "Pandemonium," the fast-paced, exciting number full of color-changing lights, stuffed pandas, and total chaos.

Isabella Benning as Olive Ostrovsky tugged at heartstrings as she explained the seats she saved for her busy father and her mother, who went to India. During her emotional "The I Love You Song," Benning brilliantly expressed Olive's longing for her parents to see her at the Bee.

Countering Benning's meek, lovable Olive was Samuel Intrater as the blunt, congested William Barfee hilariously utilized every appendage, particularly during his high-energy number "Magic Foot," as well as traipsing to the announcers' desk to correct the pronunciation of his name. Intrater and Benning balanced each other perfectly towards the end of the show when their characters entered the thick of the competition and had to decide whether to let the other win.

Also notable, Allegra Levone as Leaf Coneybear, Joey Lambert as Douglas Panch, Steven Franco as Mitch Mahoney, and the rest of the excellent ensemble. Levone masterfully acted out Leaf's ADD, high-fiving the other spellers, running through the climbing ropes onstage, and playing with finger puppets. Having a monotone is not typically a good thing onstage, but Lambert's bland delivery of definitions, sentences, and difficult words proved his capability as an actor, as well as being uproariously funny. Franco as the parole-serving grief counselor was a delight to watch when he interacted with the losing spellers and a joy to listen to, with his impressive vocal range coming through in multiple songs.

Equally as important as the acting, the technical aspects were simple, effective, and expertly produced. The set, pleasantly simple, did not distract from the scene and ultimately benefitted it, particularly when the sliding flats in the back of the "gym" opened to allow a losing contestant to exit. The lighting was wonderfully crisp and clean, with outstanding spotlighting, gorgeous color changes, and a fun mirror ball. Also extremely well-done, reverb effects on the microphones during the terrific slow-motion scene provided an aspect of the moment that would not have otherwise been accomplished. Perhaps the most smoothly integrated of all elements, the onstage pit, excellent in their own right, did not distract from the action, an issue nearly all onstage pits face, so the audience nearly forgot they were there!

Overall, Albert Einstein High School's charming production of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee definitively ascertained that, even if you lose, "just being here is winning," and their outstanding expertise provided for a laugh-out-loud, memorable e-x-p-e-r-i-e-n-c-e.

Deirdre Price
Rock Ridge High School
Submitted for publication to NUCLEUS

We all have a little bit of child left in us. The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, performed at Albert Einstein High School on November 11th, 2017, proved this to be true in a myriad of hilarious yet heartfelt ways. With a plot that follows six almost-teenagers on their journey to becoming winners, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee quickly won the hearts of audiences everywhere when it first ran on Broadway in 2005. Amidst the hilarity, William Finn (music and lyrics) and Rachel Sheinkin (book) give glimpses of each child's individual strife, invoking a sense of familiarity between the audience and the characters. The cast and crew of Albert Einstein High's rendition of this modern classic gifted their crowd with impeccable comedic timing, well-executed lights and set, and a sense of authenticity that caused the audience to say 'Hey, they're telling my story', which, in the world of theatre, is the greatest gift of them all.

The students of Albert Einstein High shone in all aspects of this production, especially their offstage endeavors. Namely, the lights and set worked to cohesively bring the onstage world to life. The skill of Hunter Simmons and his lighting team was proven in the first song, when alternating spotlights and blackouts were used to set the scene and introduce the characters. These spotlights were impressive because they were consistently on time with the music and made for beautiful stage pictures, contributing greatly to a memorable opening number. Lighting continued to shine - literally and figuratively - all the way into the last scenes, when the cyclorama was lit with mixed colors in order to reflect the conflict the characters were feeling inside. Similarly, Sarah Haddad, Lucy Reardon, and Zahava Frank created a beautiful set, one that truly put the audience inside the school gymnasium every person can recall from their childhood: wooden bleachers, climbing ropes, and those classic double doors. The set was simple yet effective, remaining stationary the entire show save the seamless sliding doors, which opened every now and then to reveal the cyclorama and provide an avenue for characters to teleport to other places in their own minds.

Alongside the technical standouts, Albert Einstein High School's performers genuinely lit up their audience's world. Specifically, Celia Richardson shone in her role as Logainne Schwarzandgrubenniere, completely convincing the audience she was a stressed, politically active elementary schooler through her unwavering physicality and fake lisp. But it takes a village to put up a show about children, and Richardson didn't do it alone. Allegra Levone stunned the audience by displaying vigor, dedication, and love for her craft. Levone portrayed the role of Leaf Coneybear, who is, as stated in the show, not that smart. By completely committing to every single moment onstage, from falling off the bleachers to yelling at the top of her lungs into the microphone, Levone brought Leaf to life; she truly struck empathy in the audience's hearts when her character was tragically eliminated from the bee.

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is a show that makes audiences laugh, but it simultaneously sheds light on the darker corners of a young person's struggles, prompting those watching to give thought to their own lives. Albert Einstein High School succeeded tremendously in conveying this juxtaposition of theme, using outstanding lights, set, and actors like Richardson and Levone to do it. All in all, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is about a spelling bee, but it's also about human nature, friendship, and, most importantly, how to keep laughing, even when faced with pain.

Ryan Nguyen
Rock Ridge High School
Submitted for publication to NUCLEUS

What's the definition of a wonderful night at the theater? The production of "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" at Albert Einstein High School would be a fitting answer. Written by William Finn, this musical follows the various stories of six distinctive kids competing in the Putnam County Spelling Bee, and Einstein S.T.A.G.E. integrated imaginative spins to the already fantastic musical. This show was perfect for Albert Einstein High School, as the simplistic requirements of the script allowed for their actors to be creative in their characterization, and ingenuity was shown in technical aspects such as their striking set and dynamic orchestra. Throughout the night, the audience was laughing, crying, and overall having a magnificent time.

The quality of every technical aspect in any show is incredibly crucial in telling the story, and it was apparent that Einstein S.T.A.G.E. understood this. Their spectacular set showed that simplicity can be astonishingly wonderful. The scenic design by Sarah Haddad, Lucy Reardon, Zahava Frank, and the Einstein Set Construction Team truly captured the essence of a school gym, and their hard work in the small details were shown to be very appreciated. Furthermore, their set design provided a very balanced stage picture, that featured walls upstage that opened effortlessly and even allowed for new stage pictures that furthered the story. Another technical aspect that increasingly allowed the story to unfold was the orchestra. Consisting of only 8 students, the orchestra's music worked hand in hand with the performers' voices, and never once was one overpowering the other. The timing of the orchestra was incredibly accurate and precise, allowing the audience to not even realize that it was live music!

Alongside the magical technical allure, the performers were fanatical in telling the story of "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee". One actress, Allegra Levone, played Leaf Coneybear, your hilariously wacky funster. The second Levone stepped on the stage adorned in her tie-dye shirt and glimmering cape, the audience immediately fell in love with her. Similarly, the second the audience heard that bell that signified that Leaf had misspelled her word, a sadness fell over the crowd. Levone's performance of Leaf Coneybear was incredibly enjoyable and one to remember. On the other side of the stage, Joey Lambert's performance as Vice Principal Douglas Panch was incredibly hilarious, which was amazing considering Lambert is just a sophomore. Lambert's monotonous voice was somehow hysterical, and never once did he lose focus or characterization, even though he was on stage for almost the entire musical. All of the performers in this production deserve an applause, and Levone and Lambert were the icing on the cake.

Overall, the production of "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" was strong and above the standards of a regular high school production. Technical aspects, such as their scenic design and their orchestra, combined with the performances of distinctive actors, truly captivated the audience and had them leaving with tears in their eyes, and a smile.