BEEyond the stage: revisiting local theater with Spelling Bee

Calling all theater kids! Have you been to the theater recently?

As a theater enthusiast, I am well aware of the fact that theater is a representation of life. It is reality through the lens of creativity (or so I would like to think), like any other form of art. Thus, whether it is done through a heart-felt speech, or a well-versed dialogue, theater is meant to channel these reflections into the hearts of the audience. 

When one speaks of musical theater, one can say that it is a combination of creative technique, mastery of music, love for dance, and passion for vocals. It is reality told through performance — what could be more exciting than that? 

Unfortunately, I rarely get the luxury to treat myself to anything related to musical theater these days. But look no further, fellow enthusiasts, because we don’t need to wait for a once in a lifetime chance to enjoy a good performance! Over the weekend, I was able to rekindle my love for musical theater by watching a hidden gem of a musical. 

Live for only one more weekend at the PowerMac theater in Ayala Malls Circuit Makati, witness the wit and humor of The Sandbox Collective’s The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee: An Interactive Musical Comedy.

Here is why it is a must-see for 20-something musical theater lovers/students like me! 

[Spoiler: It’s a show that’s sure to have even the non-theater folks sitting at the edge of their seats!] 

It’s U-N-I-Q-U-E

To start, I believe that the highlight of the show was its unique comedic nature. The characters of the musical are children themselves — children who are playful, witty, sometimes rowdy, and extremely expressive. If you are an individual who has a short attention span, sitting in this show for a solid two hours will not be a problem for you. Not only is the plot something that you would have never have expected. The music is equally upbeat, and the interaction of the characters even more so. 

It does not do the musical justice to simply applaud after every song number. It is not the typical silent-clap kind of show. Spelling Bee is set up so that the audience can engage as much as they want. One can react to the improvised lines which the actors will base on the vibe of the audience. You can fully immerse yourself in its comedic nature and join the characters as they embark on their journey to becoming the 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee champion.    

It’s I-N-T-E-R-A-C-T-I-V-E

This show truly pulls you in as a member of the audience — literally! It is an interactive musical which allows you to be part of the story, so much so that you will feel like you are watching a real spelling bee. From the very beginning, you are greeted with the introduction of Rona Lisa Peretti. Being a former spelling bee champion herself, she greets you with excitement, and welcomes you to “The Bee.” 

The children who are participating in The Bee are also seen roaming around the audience at this point. Fun fact! If you look close enough, you can find aspects of their behavior and personality as they do. For instance, you can see Olive Ostrovsky sitting in the audience from time to time and looking around, presumably looking for her dad. If you are paying extra attention, you will also find Leaf Coneybear being the playful lad he is, skipping around the venue.  

When the show begins, however, that is when the real fun starts. It is at this point where you realize that some of the members of the audience get to be in on the fun, too! Guest spellers ranging in age and gender are invited to be a part of the experience on stage. The actors do an excellent job of integrating them as a part of the story. In my experience, the guest speller who stated that she can sound like Siri was even given the chance to do a sample before spelling out her word. Another guest speller was so immersed in the show, that he ended up interacting with the characters. As the spellers were eliminated, the remaining guest spellers even went so far as to sing along to the “goodbye song.”

It reflects G-R-O-W-T-H

Other than Spelling Bee being a show that is both unique and interactive, one can also say that, at its core, it’s a reflection of growth. 

The story starts out with six characters who each present their own internal struggles. All of them are in the most tedious, confusing part of life in which one is no longer a child, but is also not yet a teenager. They are going through puberty, and they are struggling with internal and external conflicts. Most of all, they are discovering the truth about what is important in this world. 

The characters are very much real. They are children, just like we were. It is no surprise if you find yourself leaning towards a character that resembles you. Are you Marcy, an over-achiever who strives for perfection and constant victory? Do you resonate with Schwartzy, an anxiety-riddled softy overwhelmed by parental pressure? Or perhaps, are you Leaf, a gentle-personality mocked by those who are supposed to lift you up? 

There are more characters to unlock by watching the show and, as you do, you will find that each character goes through their own growth process. You will witness the characters gradually being put in positions where they are forced to make hard decisions. 

Should they accept defeat? Should they listen to what others think of them? Should they live up to expectations? Or, more importantly, should they value victory or friendship?

In C-O-N-C-L-U-S-I-O-N

Not only did Spelling Bee revive my inner musical theater nerd. Being able to watch the show allowed me to reconnect with my inner child. There was an innocence to the show — a youthful nature to the characters, and a light-hearted feel to it all. But just like the reality we face when we transition from childhood to our teenage years, there is also an inexplicable level of maturity. 

There are conflicts that the characters face, some of which we will only understand now as adults. “I Speak Six Languages,” for example, is not just a silly song about how a little girl learned six languages. “I’m Not That Smart” is not just about a kid that is a little aloof. Behind its unique, interactive nature, Spelling Bee helps us realize that growing up means different things for the different characters. That is, whether we are talking about Barfée’s triumph without his “Magic Foot,” or Olive’s ultimate sacrifice. 

As I said above, theater can be a representation of life. Spelling Bee is proof that even the experiences of a child can be eye-opening. The conflicts we encounter as we grow are worth expressing, and there is more to childhood than what is often told. 

If you find yourself resonating with any of the characters, why not come and see the show yourself? Are you Marcy, Schwartzy, Leaf, Chip, Barfée, or Olive? Come see Spelling Bee to find out!

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee: An Interactive Musical Comedy runs until March 17, 2024 at the Power Mac Center Spotlight Blackbox Theater in Ayala Malls Circuit, Makati. Tickets are available at bit.ly/spellsandbox2024.