As this story is being written, the 2010 National Spelling Bee winner has been announced. What is so ironic about this is not that Anamika Veeramani of Ohio beat out 273 other young spellers. What is so ironic is that the Downtown Cabaret Theatre in Bridgeport just opened its own spelling bee, the “25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.” Sure there will be contestants on stage trying to win big or at least save face. Perhaps you might know some of the contestants because the three or four people are invited from the audience to try their luck at spelling. Then again, you just might know some of the contestants because several of the actors portraying young spellers are from the area.
Watching adults play nervous and intense kids is enough to keep you laughing from start to finish of this Tony Award winning musical. Watch as overachievers with out-of-control hormones compete for the spelling championship. While the comedy is non-stop, there’s more to this smart little musical than meets the ear. There’s a message. “Winning isn’t everything; losing doesn’t make you a loser.
“Spelling Bee” was work shopped and developed at the Barrington Stage Company (BSC), and then moved to Off Broadway and Broadway. Directed by James Lapine, the show ran for 1,136 performances and was nominated for six Tony Awards. It won for Best Book and Best Featured Actor. The show also won two Theater World Awards, three Drama Desk Awards and two Lucille Lotrel Awards.
Kevin Reed of Monroe designed the set and is also an actor in the production. He was totally surprised when he heard the winner of the real 2010 National Spelling Bee announced on the car radio. “ I was driving to work when I heard the announcement and thought that the timing was perfect for our show,” said Mr. Reed, who plays Leaf Coneybear.
“My character really isn’t as smart as the others in the competition, but he’s such a caring character. My biggest challenge is making sure that Leaf doesn’t come across as too dumb,” said the artist/actor. While Mr. Reed enjoys every moment on stage and has performed at the Cabaret in other productions, he insists that he is in love with studio practice and plans on attending Pratt and pursuing a Masters of Fine Art in Painting and Drawing. Indeed, he has left his mark with this clever Cabaret set.
“There are a few surprises,” he said with a laugh. Reluctant to share any tidbit, finally he broke and said that some of the action takes place on the gym equipment on the set. “And the bleachers don’t stay still,” he laughed.
Obviously, Mr. Reed has been singled out by the theater gods because although he has had no formal voice training for this musical production, his sister Megan Kirk just happens to be a voice teacher.
Another local actor is Andrew Hendrick of Fairfield. He plays Barfee, the character with a last name people just love to mispronounce. “I’ve been doing a lot of local theater,” said Mr. Hendrick. “I’ve lived in Fairfield most of my life. He describes his character as the “fat kid,” and went on to say that “He’s a bully so he won’t be bullied by someone else.” What is so unique about Barfee is that he has a special way of spelling out his words. First he spells them out with his feet. Mr. Hendrick knows how to sing, and had to learn how to dance for this show. He’s a fast learner however and a great comic. “I have a lot of hair,” he said. “I usually comb it back, but for this show I mess it all up. The first time I appeared at rehearsal with my hair all messed, everyone in the cast thought I was wearing a wig.”
Mr. Hendrick is having a ball with the show. He also stated that he is honored to be in a production directed by Tobi Silver of Shelton and working with music director Stan Wietrzychowski of Trumbull. “Stan is fantastic,” Mr. Hendrick said. “He’s a genius and it really is quite an opportunity for me to work with him.”
This is a fun-filled show. If you missed this laugh a minute opportunity on Broadway, you now have a chance to see this compelling war of words onstage at the Downtown Cabaret Theatre June 11 through June 27. Student and Senior tickets on Friday and Sunday are $19. Box office: (203) 576-1636.