Hilarity Ensues in Chino's 'Spelling Bee'

By Darcie Flansburg

The Real Critics Editor/Publisher

Looking at the title of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, one might think, “What could be entertaining about a spelling bee?” Stop wondering; the show is beyond hilarious and Chino Community Theatre’s production is no exception.

The story follows six contestants and three adult coordinators at the annual spelling competition. In addition, the audience not only learns about the characters and their struggles, but also gets to participate.

At the start of the show, Rona Lisa Perretti (played by Sarah Meals) calls some of the “competitors” that still need to take their “seats.” These participants end up being audience members who are taken on a ride along with the cast as they participate in the bee for the first half of the show.
The audience participants add a layer of unpredictability to the show, not only for the audience and audience participants, but also for the cast. Cast members interact with the new participants, improvising when needed, pulling the participants around the stage for choreography.

Aside from this addition to the production, the story and characters are lovable, clever and memorable.

Director Rhesa Richards said in her director’s note, “[At first], I wondered why I should care about the characters in Spelling Bee. Now I find I’ve fallen in love with each endearing one.” I have to agree with Richards. The characters are hysterical, but their hearts and minds are not lost on the audience.

Each character struggles with their family situations, puberty and who they are as individuals.

Lauren Deards’ vocals and portrayal of Olive Ostrovsky were totally in sync. Her solos and harmonies are beautiful, and her emotions conjured sympathy and warmth from the audience. Her random word associations always get a laugh.

Christine Mejia, who plays Logainne Schwartzandgrubenierre, not only offers strong vocals and a lovable character, but accomplished all of this with a lisp. Schwartzandgrubenierre eventually gets speech therapy as an adult, but as an adolescent she struggles with her lisp and her inability to make her fathers (yes, both) happy. All was accomplished with creative oomph by Mejia.

Derek Ashley Macumber as Leaf Coneybear is hilarious. His silly persona is perfect for the character, enlisting smiles and chuckles from the audience as he sung “I’m Not That Smart.” Macumber’s eccentric hands and wild eyes truly make the character.

Macumber also choreographed the show along with Juan Luis Torres.

Torres also played Mitch Mahoney, the parolee doing his community service at the bee. Torres was also vocally capable, adding a golden tone to the ensemble harmonies.

But everyone in CCT’s production really stood out in a good way.
Shalimar Malimban played Marcy Park, the perfect straight-A student. She was confident, capable, and never faltered. Her robotic nature broke down beautifully in her solo “I Speak Six Languages.”

Ed Fornoles sang about his character Chip Tolentino’s “unfortunate erection” with spirit and verve. Tolentino is lovable and the “unfortunate” situation only made the audience feel even more for him. Fornoles’ cameo as Jesus was also a great moment in the show.

Seth Weiner, who plays William Barfee, always appeared to have a slight smirk on his face. Whether it was genuine laughter because of the improv taking place on stage or a character choice, Weiner made it work as the awkward, magic-footed, young scientist Barfee.

Sarah Meals, who played Rona Lisa, looks and acts like a sharp real-estate agent, but she also wields a stellar vocal range; the likes of a Broadway star. Meals not only fit the part, but also improvised well, adding many a witty comment to the already clever script.

And Bruce Hutchins, who plays Vice Principal Douglas Panch, was stoic and straight-faced as he defined each word and used it in a sentence for the participants. The delivery was perfect.

To top it off, Tom Hurst’s set design was simple yet effective. The knotted gym rope was a great touch.

Richards knocked one out of the park with this show. Her direction and vision were obviously clear and well executed by her cast and crew.

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee at Chino Community Theatre’s 13123 7th St., Chino, (909) 590-1149; www.chinocommunitytheatre.org. Thru May 21. $15 general admission, $12 students and seniors.