The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is Buzzing With Charm
The Sandbox Collective’s swift return to the stage transports us back to what it’s like being a kid – it’s pandemonium alright, but nothing a local spelling bee can fix.
Words Mika Geronimo
Photos Maricar Leyesa
February 23, 2024
The cast of Sandbox Collective’s newest spin on the 2005 Broadway musical “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee”
As they cap off a triumphant decade in the industry, The Sandbox Collective is ushering in the new year with a modern spin on the 2005 Broadway musical "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee." The musical tells the story of six extraordinary pre-teens jostling it out in what is perhaps the most challenging cerebral sport of all – a local middle-school spelling bee competition. High stakes and quick wit aside, what unfolds is a heartwarming display of friendship, self-acceptance, and healing.
In a theater season chock-full of melancholic works and other heavy hitters, "Spelling Bee" gives us a breath of fresh air and a hearty laugh at that. And at times like these, isn’t that all we could ever need?
Before spending two hours at the bee yourself, we’ve gathered what to expect from your brief yet worthwhile stay at Putnam County.
Marrying Media with Theater
The PMCS Blackbox Theater has long been renowned as a flexible performance space, housing quite several inventive productions as of late. "Spelling Bee" is no different. Mounted with a bee-themed set with scattered letters, the stage features a multi-screen layout dedicated to the show’s live graphics and camera work. Aside from complementing much of the spelling and the acting, there seems to be no better way to reintroduce the source material to a Gen Z audience than by integrating the versatility of media with the thrill of live theater.
Stellar Set of Spellers
Co-produced with ABS-CBN, Star Magic, and Teatro Kapamilya, the "Spelling Bee" cast is stacked with talent, ranging from fresh faces like Krystal Brimner and Shanaia Gomez to more renowned figures in the Filipino theater community, such as Audie Gemora and Liesl Batucan. Rony Fortich and Franco Ramos join director and theater multi-hyphenate Missy Maramara in bringing the bee to life with their musical direction and choreography, respectively.
A Lesson Far From C-h-i-m-e-r-i-c-a-l
The lead cast being comprised of young actors also adds to the emotional impact of the show. In sum, you tend to feel for these kids who actually look like kids. With every spelling error, there are guaranteed visceral “aww’s” erupting from the audience. While audiences do catch glimpses into these middle-schoolers' anxieties throughout the bee, it’s safe to say that their woes aren’t too far off from us non-spellers. Best believe that there’s something in this show for everyone, may it be for the burnt-out gifted kids or the jaded, overworked grown-ups. The show manages to resonate deeply with audiences – especially the recovering perfectionists among us. When words aren’t enough, or in this case, spelled correctly, "Spelling Bee" is able to hit the mark on those crucial, emotional beats.
Come for the Bee, Stay for the Comedy
However, "Spelling Bee’s" greatest strength lies in its sharp wit, brimming beyond its scripted lyrics and dialogue. But consider yourself warned, the audience is not at all spared by the anxiety-inducing Spelling Bee. By enlisting the help of four random individuals from the crowd at each run, an entirely different show is promised every time as spellers are brought up the stage to participate. Apart from their impressive vocal chops, the cast is also commendable for their natural flair for improv, bouncing off whatever adlib is then created onstage.
"The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" will run from February 24 to March 17 at the Power Mac Center Spotlight, Circuit Makati. Tickets are available at Ticket2Me and corresponding showbuyers.
