Runaway Stage Productions - 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee

At the show's end, RSP appealed on behalf of 'Doctors Without Borders' for donations to help Haiti Earthquake victims.

Left to right: Leaf Coneybear (Tristan Rumery), Logainne Schwartzandgrubenierre (Danielle Hansen), Marcy Park (Marcy Goodnow), William Barfee (Tony Wichowski), Olive Ostrovsky (Christina Day), Chip Tolentino (Scott Woodard), Rona Lisa Peretti (Kristen Wagner), Vice Principal Douglas Panch (Dan Masden), Mitch Mahoney (Rudy Brown), and Stage Manager Kaitlin Flint.


This show brought back vivid memories. I remember participating in the Taylor Junior High School Spelling Bee, in Alameda, just north of Albuquerque, NM, in the late 1960's. From an undistinguished start in 6th grade, I managed a stellar third place finish in 7th grade. I was determined to win 1st place in my last year of eligibility, 8th grade (1969).

Taylor Junior High School had an elementary school appended to it (Laguna Elementary School). In my last year at Taylor, the school's spelling bee was actually held in Laguna Elementary School's library.

There was another fellow participating in the spelling bee named Frank Buttons. As I recall, he was as undistinguished as students came - sloppy, uninterested, playing the clown without actually being funny. He was the second student to stand at that year's spelling bee, and to no one's surprise, he was the second student dismissed from that year's spelling bee.

Then it was my turn - the third student to stand. The word was: weird. Well, that was easy enough: w - i - e - r - d.

It came as a vast surprise to discover that I had missed the correct spelling. I was summarily dismissed.

Outside, in the hallway, Frank Buttons had dallied. He was surprised to see me so soon, but happy to have someone to talk with as we walked back to our classes. For myself, I was horrified. For all the world to see I was now Frank Buttons' equal. I would never live this down. I've been looking for spelling redemption ever since.

Saturday night, I thought redemption was to be had. Anne-Marie Pringle was gathering signatures for volunteers to participate in RSP's production of the "25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee". At last, I could show my spelling mettle! I AM better than Frank Buttons! I AM somebody!

Alas, not to be. The volunteers chosen were generally in the same age range of the actors - you understand, to make the show more believable. Time wounds all heels, as Dorothy Parker used to say (well, I must admit, 41 years is a long time to wait for spelling redemption).

Spelling bees are interesting exercises, because (unlike life itself) there ARE correct answers. The students who excel at spelling bees must put in many social-skill-stunting hours to reach their high levels of performance.

RSP's production was excellent, featuring winning performances by all involved. The budding friendship between William Barfee (Tony Wichowski) and Olive Ostrovsky (Christina Day) forms the emotional core of the story. Christina's winning personality shone through her characterization of Olive, melting William's idiosyncratic heart.

Startled by biological distraction into error, Chip Tolentino (Scott Woodard) could not accept his dismissal, and his utterly juvenile rebellion against authority was immensely-funny (My Unfortunate Erection, or Chip's Lament).

Logainne Schwartzandgrubenierre (Danielle Hansen) represented one extreme - over-parenting by two 'dads', and Olive Ostrovsky (Christina Day) represented the other extreme - absent parents. Leaf Coneybear (Tristan Rumery) represented one other feature of brilliant kids - non-sequiturs ("I have cats!") William Barfee (Tony Wichowski) represented the genuine independence that such kids sometimes possess.

The most-difficult role fell to Marcy Park (Marcy Goodnow). Brilliant kids often fail to make space for the casual errors of humankind, and Marcy launches into an entire song to express her - disdain? - that Rona Lisa Peretti (Kristen Wagner) announced to the audience that Marcy speaks five languages, when the correct number is six. Six languages; not five. Got that?

Marcy Park's character has unattractive qualities - pouting, demanding, poised to deliberately fail in order to avoid stress - but I recognize the character: reminds me of my ex-wife! Yes, I recognize Marcy Park's salient characteristics very well. And Marcy Goodnow 'gets' the character remarkably well. She is to be congratulated for her acting skills (makes me wonder if I should have married Marcy instead?).

Rona Lisa Peretti (Kristen Wagner), Vice Principal Douglas Panch (Dan Masden), and Mitch Mahoney (Rudy Brown) represent the adults who, for their greater age, are scarcely more-mature than their charges.

There is a sequence in the show where time is alternately sped up and slowed down for theatrical effect. I liked RSP's interpretation of this sequence - fine work!

The show closed today, but I'm glad I went!