25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee Reviews

Chicago Reader - Highly Recommended

"...One of the strengths of Music Theater Works’s winning revival is how well it infuses just a touch of rough chaos into an otherwise polished, professional show. Each of the performers in director Christopher Pazdernik’s pitch-perfect show plays up his or her character’s quirks—one is a smug loner, another a burnt-out overachiever, yet another is a homeschooled social misfit—quirks that are at once fatal flaws and spelling bee superpowers."

Around The Town Chicago - Highly Recommended

"...“The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” is a fun and exciting coming-of-age musical. Superbly directed by Christopher Pazdernik and music directed by Michael McBride, this production is a real treat."

Chicago Theatre Review - Highly Recommended

"...Christopher Pazdernik's super sassy production features nine gifted, earnest and mainly new actors to the MTW stage. They're ably supported by Musical Director Michael McBride and his five talented backstage musicians, along with contributions by Assistant Director and Choreographer Keely Vasquez. Visual expertise comes from Scenic Designer Ben Lipinski, Lighting Designer Levi J. Wilkins, Costume Designer Kristen Brinati, and a backstage technical staff all brimming with talent. This production is sincere and sure. A trip to Music Theater Works' production of THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE will reward audiences with not just an entertaining competition rewarding one young champion, but a entire production of top-notch winners."

Buzz Center Stage - Highly Recommended

"...I thoroughly enjoyed watching this bright, funny and talented cast in Music Theater Works’ brand new production of the Tony Award-Winning musical, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, now being performed in the North Theatre at North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie. The hit musical, conceived by the mind of Rebecca Feldman is superbly executed thanks to its fine direction and choreography by Christopher Pazdernik, Keeley Vasquez who assists in both said areas, and with music direction by Michal McBride."

The Fourth Walsh - Highly Recommended

"...Smart kids compete against each other in a spelling bee. The creative team of Rachel Sheinkin (book) and William Finn (music and lyrics) take an ordinary school function add in obsessed students blend it all up with an upbeat score. The result is pure e-n-t-e-r-t-a-i-n-m-e-n-t."

Third Coast Review - Recommended

"...With music and lyrics by William Finn and a book by Rachel Sheinkin—which won Best Book at both the Tony and the Drama Desk Awards—the production lends itself to the spirit of the times, so it’s perfectly adaptable for whoever wishes to make it their own. The script finds a balance between heartwarming and angsty content, so every production of “The Bee” is tasked with bringing universal adolescent woes to life."

Life and Times - Highly Recommended

"...“The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” is now delighting audiences at North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in a fun, funny, and fantastic Music Theater Works mounting."

Chicago Culture Authority - Recommended

"...Twenty years after its Broadway premiere, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee amiably graces the north stage of the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, courtesy of an energetic Music Theater Works cast that elevates the slight material with well-observed character studies and enjoyable audience interaction."

Evanston Roundtable - Highly Recommended

"...The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is an endearing musical. Some might call it adorable. But the Music Theater Works production is also quirky. The combination makes it fun to watch."

Splash Magazine - Highly Recommended

"...Music Theater Works is off to a S-T-R-O-N-G start to its 2024 season with The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, in the North Theatre at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts In Skokie, 9501 Skokie Blvd, Skokie (now playing through March 31). An entertaining show perfect for all ages (with an adult only performance), The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee invites the audience to join this group of unique and dedicated students, as they compete for the spelling bee championship in this hilarious and touching musical!"

BroadwayWorld - Recommended

"...This was my third or fourth time attending the BEE, and it felt like the first, a testament to the musical's cleverly crafted characters and the undeniable talent of Pazdernik's performers. I found myself laughing at jokes I'd heard countless times over the last twenty years, and I still managed to be surprised by the ultimate winner of the event. Music Theater Works's SPELLING BEE feels as fresh as ever, perhaps because it invites us to be our sweet, awkward, imaginative childhood selves all over again."