 |
| Stirling Notley and the cast of "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee |
THE 25TH
ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE – Canberra Philharmonic Society.
Music
& Lyrics by William Finn – Book by Rachel
Sheinkin
Directed
by Nathan Patrech – Musical Direction by Samara Marinelli
Choreographed
by Lachlan Ruffy – Set Design by Nathan Patrech & Ian Croker
Lighting
design by Nikki Fitzgerald – Sound Design by James McPherson
ACT
Hub – 12th – 28th March 2026. - Reviewed by BILL
STEPHENS
There’s
a certain magic in watching a show that knows exactly what it is, and The 25th
Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee wears its quirky heart right on its
sleeve.
Set in
a fictional school gymnasium, the show follows a group of eccentric young contestants
as they compete for the coveted spelling bee trophy, and in the process, reveal
their insecurities, dreams and personal quirks.
Nathan Patrech’s direction is resourceful and imaginative, encouraging the audience to feel like they’re sitting on bleachers, watching friends and neighbour compete for glory. This is enhanced by the inclusion of four guest contestants, chosen from the audience each performance, ensuring that no two performances are exactly the same.
 |
| Ella Colquhuon as Mercy Park |
Each of the characters in the show is drawn with such specificity that you can’t help rooting for them. From Ella Colquhoun’s overly intense overachiever whose performance of “I Speak Six Languages” is a genuine showstopper, to Amelia Andersson-Nickson’s shy newcomer whose love of words is sweetly expressed in her solo “My Friend, The Dictionary”, the characterisations are exaggerated yet deeply relatable, with each given a moment to shine through catchy, character-driven songs.
Amy
Kowalczuk is pitch perfect as the gushy contest moderator, a former winner of
the 3rd Putnam Spelling bee and deeply invested in the outcome of
the contest. Michael Cooper as the official word pronouncer, and Tim Stiles as
the comfort councillor, provide hilariously dubious support.
Dave
Collins plays a contestant with an unusual memorising technique. Two fathers
pamper Meaghan Stewart’s contestant. Joe Mansell is an eccentric who finds
himself a contestant in the contest by accident, while Stirling Notley’s chances
are thwarted by an unfortunate, uncontrollable affliction. All delight with improvisational
flourishes, which keep the energy electric with humour that is quick, sometimes
absurd, but never cruel.
 |
| Stirling Notley as Chip Tolentino |
Musically,
William Finn’s score is a playful as it is heartfelt, featuring catchy melodies
and clever lyrics. The lively choreography by Lachlan Ruffy, rich with classic
cliche dance moves, especially for his spirited staging of “Magic Foot”, adds
energy to the production and is enthusiastically performed by the cast.
Despite
its delightful absurdities, by the time this musical reaches its inevitable
conclusion, you realise that The 25th Annual Putnam County
Spelling Bee isn’t about winning or losing. It is about the messy,
beautiful business of growing up, finding your voice, and spelling it out for
the world to hear.
If
you’re looking for a night of theatre that will make you laugh until your
cheeks ache, a then unexpectedly tug at your heartstrings, then this
delightfully exuberant production by the Canberra Philharmonic Society at the
ACTHub is a bee is well worth buzzing over.
Photos supplied by The Canberra Philharmonic Society
This review first published in the digital edition of CITY NEWS on 13th March 2026.