From the Classroom: A Night On The Town: AWESOMENESS On Display At Annapolis Summer Garden Theatre
Hi there, Annapolis!
So, at the latest convention of private school parents trying to one-up each other (otherwise known as a school auction), my parents came into possession of tickets to the Annapolis Summer Garden Theatre’s production of the 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, and I cannot recommend it more highly. I have to admit, I was apprehensive at first to go see a community theatre production, but this isn’t the sort of community theatre you see in Waiting for Guffman, folks—this is professional theatre. In fact, the worst part of the show was afterward, where I checked the website to learn that the actors do not, in fact, get paid.
Tickets to the show are 18 dollars, but—and here’s the best part—according to the program, Annapolis Summer Garden Theatre is recognized by the IRS as a nonprofit organization, so “Your contribution is tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.” In other words, as long as you record it on your taxes later, it’s free. And what could be better than free, professional theatre?
Free, professional theatre that you can participate in, of course! At the beginning of the show, the director will hand out applications to anyone interested in participating in the spelling bee. They’ll dangle the promise of a $200 prize for the winner in front of you, but don’t be fooled—the show’s set up in a way so that the audience contestants will be eliminated at certain times (by asking them to spell words I’m not even sure are real). Still, losers do receive a juice box and a big hug from a big man in a bumblebee costume. I applied to be a speller, but wasn’t selected, which is likely because of my answer to one of the questions:
Questionnaire: Why did you come to see the show tonight?
Me: It was free.
The show itself is not much more complicated than it sounds—it’s a spelling bee with six adolescent archetypes competing for the top prize. Much of the humor comes from the spelling itself—specifically from Duncan Hood, who, as Vice Principal Douglas Panch, gives the contestants their words and provides witty definitions and uses in a sentence that are without a doubt the play’s best punchlines. In fact, many of the lines in the original script originally were meant to be changed, allowing characters to throw in many sly and outright hilarious references to current events (right at the beginning of the show, for instance, Panch is introduced as a substitute for Superintendent Sanchez, who, it is said, was “detained while on vacation in Arizona”). The other adult facilitators are former champ and real estate agent Rona Lisa Peretti, played by Wendy Baird, and comfort counselor Mitch Mahoney (Tobias Young), who, as part of his parole, dresses up in a bumblebee costume and hugs eliminated contestants. Both Baird and Young possess Broadway-worthy voices, and their vocal talents are on display throughout the show.
The kids, meanwhile, are hilarious in their own right. The show perfectly captures the plight of the overachiever and the desperate fight for success among alpha-nerds. RJ Pavel enthusiastically plays Chip Tolentino (and, later, Jesus Christ), and perfectly conveys some of the more awkward and personal moments of a barely-pubescent male. Jimmy Mavrikes has a blast as Leaf Coneybear, and though those who enjoy subtler performances may not appreciate him, those who understand that this is a farce and therefore requires a little bit of overacting will embrace the energy he injects into the awkward and clumsy Leaf. Danny Baird is a riot as the snippy nerd with a peanut allergy, a bad foot, and an often mispronounced last name—although one wonders why the playwrights decided to make William Barfée’s last name the butt of a joke instead of, say, that of Logainne Schwartzandgrubenniere. Mallory Newbrough plays the young and politically aware Logainne with skill, balancing the persona of a slightly pretentious prodigy with that of an innocent and slightly immature lisper who is about to crack under the pressure of her two overbearing gay dads (played by Tobias Young and Jimmy Mavrikes, the latter of whom is especially entertaining). Marcy Park, the poster child for Asian overachievement, speaking six languages, is played by Alicia Osborn, who can do a split. Rounding out the cast is the spelling bee’s sweet heroine, Olive Ostrovsky, played by Christina Carlucci (with whom I had the honor of performing in a children’s theatre production of Charlotte’s Web so many years ago. I had a huge crush on her, but, unfortunately for me, I was half her age). Though you grow to enjoy each character for their quirky selves, Olive’s character is a friendly and sincere little girl instead of just a running joke, and you feel a true connection to her, and hope with all your heart that her father does in fact make it in time to take the seat she’s saved for him. The play never stops tickling your funny bone or forcing your toes to tap through what is approximately its first half (it runs without intermission), and though the running jokes may turn stale as the play wears on and some overly melodramatic numbers appear later in the play, it ends on a what I thought was a truly touching and funny note, with a winner that I never expected. It is highly recommended, except for parents who don’t want their children to hear the word “erection” used approximately 15 times in the space of one song (because at that rate, it’s guaranteed to prompt questions, and your kids will know too much by then to be fooled by you telling them it’s a rare breed of stork). The play runs through July 25th, and I encourage anyone and everyone to come. Teens especially, even those who aren’t necessarily fans of musical theatre, will love the show’s sly, current humor.
One disadvantage to the theatre is that we were sharing it with the Annapolis Mosquito Convention. In other words, bug spray is highly recommended. Also, do pick a nice day to go—there’s nothing like trying to choose between enjoying a musical as good as this and dying of hypothermia.
Refreshments consist of a small variety of snacks and drinks and are $1 apiece, or free if you’re lucky enough to catch something during the scene where one of the characters throws about candy.
The theatre has rated this show PG-13 because a guy gets a boner and talks about it a lot. Also, there are a few other naughty words, but compared to Pulp Fiction it’s a Strawberry Shortcake special.
Got a question about theatre? Got a hot spot you want me to check out? Leave a comment, they’re much appreciated.
Theatrically,
Seth Perry is not really a theatre critic or he would have used one of the following phrases: “avant-grade”, “tour de force”, “technique”, or “flair”. Therefore, if after watching this show you feel like you’ve wasted $18, he is the wrong person to blame. Blame it on BP instead. They deserve it.
Category: COLUMNS, Entertainment, From The Classroom, LIFE IN THE AREA
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