UNSW MTS Presents A Triumph of Heart and Humour
When: 20th – 25th March
What’s the magic formula for a great musical? Belly laughs, a tug at the heartstrings, or a cast of gloriously eccentric misfits? The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee at UNSW Musical Theatre Society aces all three—buzzing with irresistible charm, acuity, and a winning streak that spells s-u-c-c-e-s-s from start to finish. In a world that often says “blend in” this show hands you a highlighter and says, “Stand out!”
Spelling Bee distinguishes itself as a musical with this utterly distinct and invigorating premise: six quirky kids, three oddball adults, and a high-stakes spelling showdown. Yet, this bee transcends mere competition. Life’s oddest moments often reveal the most about who we are. As contestants grapple with increasingly absurd words, their childhood insecurities, ambitions, and confessions surface, revealing profound truths about their identities.
“In a world that often says ‘blend in’ this show hands you a highlighter and says, ‘Stand out!”
Cameron McCredie’s directorial debut, impressive in its flair and precision, brought to sparkling life, this quick-witted and character-driven musical. His cast, a truly talented ensemble, balanced the humour and the emotional depths, eliciting laughter, cringes, and a spectrum of feelings. While William Finn’s music and lyrics may not be chart-topping hits, they resonated perfectly, and music director Nikolas Villa Zielinski’s verve and purpose made each song shine. The cast, delivering both levity and sincerity, imbued their performances with genuine emotion, leaving a lasting impression.
Amidst the chaotic competition, the adults of the Putnam County Spelling Bee, a wonderfully mismatched trio, each offered their distinct comedic and emotional support. Matthew De Meyrick, as Douglas Panch, the snarky, frustrated vice principal yearning for a career change, anchored the humour with impeccable deadpan timing. His restrained delivery ensured the wordplay, jokes and evening flowed seamlessly, and his dry ad-libs, delivered with a professional straight face, were a constant source of comedic gold.
Amidst this delightful pandemonium, Bronwyn Dyer’s Rona Lisa Peretti, with her sweet soprano and gentle presence as the bee’s emotional core, shone with a charming kindness, embodying a former bee’s affection for this contest, while carrying its legacy to the next generation.
Rohana Utamchandani, as Comfort Counselor Mitch Mahoney, delivered a plea for acceptance disguised as a heartfelt juice box ballad. Her confronting gaze belied both strength and a hidden vulnerability, echoing the universal feeling of being on the fringe.
For the children, the bee is a path to self-discovery; their intensity and fierce competitiveness lay bare real truths. Alongside their passion and whimsy, they carry burdens, fuelling our desire for each of them to triumph.
Alexander Whitbourn, as William Barfee, masterfully navigated the character’s awkward exterior to reveal his heart and humour, particularly in his fabulous cabaret-style ‘Magic Foot’ rendition. Similarly, Ellis Pinkerton, as Chip Tolentino, adeptly captured the character’s abrupt shift from spelling bee hopeful to hormone-driven distraction, eliciting both helpless laughter and empathy, especially during his, shall we say, ‘standup’ solo.
Matthew de Meyrick is Douglas Panch: Dry wit personified.
Joss Arkley-Smith as the marvellously named Leaf Coneybear captured
both adorable innocence and boundless energy, infusing the character with childlike wonder and playful abandon.
A study in contrasts, Aya Adel’s terrific performance unveiled alpha female Marcy Park’s steely determination alongside her subtle fragility making the character utterly believable.
Tessa Marsden’s skilful portrayal of Logainne Schwartztsy beautifully
blended her political precociousness, parental pressures, and unwavering
determination, all while handling her speech impediment with endearing finesse.
Kayla Ingle-Olson delivered a brilliant vocal and deeply moving performance as Olive Ostrovsky, masterfully revealing the layered emotions and quiet strength beneath the character’s gentle exterior. Her stunning rendition of ‘I Love You Song’ served as a powerful affective centrepiece for the entire show. This was a performance of remarkable depth and sensitivity.
A lot of the unpredictability and joy of this show comes from the four participants plucked from the audience who play spelling bee extras. Their genuine bewilderment and off-the-cuff reactions make the performance a fabulous improv word salad. When one contestant hilariously misspelled “COW” as “C-U-W,” the cast didn’t miss a beat, turning this wonderful blunder into a priceless, unscripted moment.
Bursting with energy and talent, a fanciful spirit and sharp comedic edge drive this delightful journey at the bee. The intimate UNSW Studio One stage enhanced this inherent charm, as the entire production, through its vibrant set, costumes, and playful choreography, conjured nostalgic school days—homework-free, of course.
More than just funny, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee’s true magic lies in its enormous heart—a heart that resonates with anyone who’s ever felt like an outsider. With a message of belonging and an uplifting experience, this production reminds us that our differences are what make us truly special. UNSW MST leaves its audience feeling a little less alone.
If you love a story with great songs that celebrate the power of words and the unique personalities who wield them, this show is sheer delight. Consider this review a synonym for ‘highly recommended.’
Grab the last remaining tickets: https://events.humanitix.com/unsw-mts-presents-the- 25th-annual-putnam-county-spelling-bee
Photo Credit: Alexander Newman @photofluorescent