Be amused for a spell with Sierra Rep’s ‘Spelling Bee’

Can you spell “laughter”?

Probably, but it’s much more fun to use it in a sentence. As in, “You can expect a lot of laughter at the Sierra Repertory Theatre’s production of ‘The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.’”

The musical comedy set in the world of a regional spelling bee brings out the inner child in its performers who portray the six quirky student contestants. The show debuted on Broadway in 2005 and won two Tony Awards, for best book of a musical and best performance by a featured actor in a musical.

The Sierra Rep production features a cast of adult performers taking on the personae of the county’s best, and most unusual, preteen spellers. The oddball competitors include bee newbie Olive Ostrovsky (New York actress Elizabeth McMonagle), magic foot speller William Barfée (New York actor Robert Anthony Jones) and home-school student Leaf Coneybear (Sonora actor Peter Leibold).

“Most of them are the kids who would be left to the side, the weird kids,” said Leibold, who grew up in Sonora and is also the master electrician for the company. “They are not the popular kids. But they have something they love to do; they love to spell. It’s a good escape for them and for the audience.”

Rounding out the cast of contestants are Matt Provencal as Chip Tolentino, Maya Handa Naff as Marcy Park and Eileen Peterson as Logainne Schwartzandgrubenierre.

Sierra Rep newcomer Jones, whose character has a rare mucous membrane condition where only one of his nostrils works, said while each kid has his or her quirks, there is plenty for the audience to relate to despite their differences.

“I feel like all of the characters are so relatable to each one of us as adults,” he said. “I feel everyone who comes to see it will be able to relate to at least one, if not all, of the characters. The insecurities and remembering what it was like when they were that age – it’s almost like they are all going through their entire adolescence in the hour and a half.”

To further connect the crowd to the characters, the musical requires audience participation. Four volunteers are selected at each show to join the actors and show off their spelling skills, or lack thereof.

“We just need people who are willing to let go and have a blast and have fun and be a part of the show,” said McMonagle, who performed with the company in “The Spitfire Grill.” “It’s a great way to experience a show from a different perspective.”

McMonagle has played her character, Olive, in past productions of the musical in Pennsylvania and Arizona. She said the entire cast has enjoyed reconnecting with the childish side of acting for the piece.

“It’s kind of like a full exploration of childlike excitement and determination,” she said. “You get to have a personal connection with these spellers. It is such a different show with so many moments of laughter.”

This story was originally published October 22, 2014 at 5:09 PM with the headline "Be amused for a spell with Sierra Rep’s ‘Spelling Bee’."