The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee at Theatre At The Center

Around The Town Chicago - Recommended

"...This is a fun show with a cute, but hokey book by Rachel Sheinkin and some non memorable music/lyrics by William Finn. While the show is not one to write home about ( despite being a Tony Award Winner) it is a fun two hours and five minutes with a lesson for all to learn. I guess one might say that the highlights of this production are Chip's Lament ( the act two starter, a very funny number, yet very adult) and the wonderful "Pas De Deux" duet by Mr.Wagner and Ms Miller. The show itself is a "hoot" and a great escape form the headlines of our everyday lives."

Chicago Theatre Review - Highly Recommended

"...This is truly an ensemble show and director David Perkovich has put together an ensemble that not only delivers but gives the show its heart and soul. Landree Fleming as Logainne Schwartzandgrubenniere (her name is derived from her two dads) is adorable. Frank Paul plays Chip Tolentino, Patrick Tierney is Leaf Coneybear, Rose Le Tran is Marcy Park, Jonathan Wagner and his magic foot are William Barfee, who keeps reminding us its pronounced Bar Fay, Nicole Miller is Olive Ostrovsky. Bear Bellinger while playing several characters gives us the quiet humor as the comfort counselor who hands out the juice boxes and says goodbye when someone leaves the bee. The moderators for the bee are Cory Goodrich as Rona Perretti (a beautiful voice) and Jake Mahler as Vice Principal Panch, his delivery of using the word in a sentence is as good as it gets."