BroadwayGPS is in L-O-V-E with this revival, read why your groups will love it to!
Our very own James spent an evening with the spellers off-Broadway at New World Stages, and here are his thoughts:
“Only a minute or two into the opening number of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (titled, appropriately, “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee”), I had a moment where I thought to myself “Ah yes – this is what good writing sounds like.” This production currently playing at New World Stages puts that craft front and center in a welcome addition to this season.
The cast, noticeably younger than the original Broadway company from 2005 (at least by estimate), perfectly encapsulates the awkwardness of adolescence, and that particular type of overachieving child who probably doesn’t yet realize they’re the “weird kid” but couldn’t be bothered to care. Particular standouts include Kevin McHale as William Barfee, with a very different but equally hilarious take on the role than OBC member Dan Fogler, and Matt Manuel as the “comfort counselor” Mitch Mahoney (changed in this production from an ex con to a “gym bro”; maybe they thought the former was a bit too grim?). But the real star of this production is the score by William Finn, which effortlessly walks the fine line between sweet & silly and deeply profound. At the conclusion of “The I Love You Song”, possibly the most dramaturgically perfect musical theater number written this century, I couldn’t help but think of one of Finn’s constant refrains he brought up in his class at NYU: “If you get an audience to laugh, you can do anything with them.”
I think this is going to be an incredible option for groups. It’s one of those rare shows that I think would genuinely appeal to all age ranges and demographics.There’s some PG-13 language and innuendos, but overall I would say it’s okay for Middle School groups *with caution*, and great for High School and up. We had a school group at our show on Thursday night whose teacher was picked as one of the featured Guest Spellers and these kids were living for it, so I can for sure see this being a big hit with student groups!”
For more info and to book, click below: