"25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee' by PTC

When I first attended The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (in its pre-Broadway tryout in Sheffield, Mass, in July of 2004) I wondered if a musical play about a spelling bee— with such an unwieldy title, to boot— had any chance for commercial success.

Six and a half years later, the answer is clear. Spelling Bee enjoyed a long run on Broadway, and now it is being seen internationally, including four productions in Philadelphia. Two secrets explain its success.

First, the show is about angst more than it’s about spelling. The contest is a metaphor for the life challenges faced by all of us, not exclusively by adolescents.

The show’s creators intentionally blurred age lines. They wrote about a competition for elementary school children but dramatized the sexual lustings of one of the “children,” including a song about his unmanageable erection. One contestant is introduced as a pro-choice feminist “although she is still a virgin.” (Of course, she’s still in elementary school.)

Check your logic outside the theater door; Spelling Bee is about feelings. The kids’ vocabulary is quite adult, and the grownups reveal their childish uncertainties and insecurities.

Second, the show brings four audience members on stage at each performance, adding them to the lineup of competitors. Their attempts to spell provide ad-lib amusement, and so do the moderator’s improvised comments about each of them. These jokes differ each night, so that every performance is an adventure.

Best Olive ever

In Philadelphia Theatre Company’s current production, Ali Stroker is the best I’ve ever seen in the important role of Olive Ostrovsky, the neglected daughter of a mother who is in India on a spiritual quest and a father who’s too busy at work to attend the bee. She has an amazingly radiant smile and a beautiful voice. Stroker gets to sing William Finn’s gorgeous ballad, “The I Love You Song,” hauntingly joined by Marla Mindelle and Jerold Solomon as her absent, fantasized parents.

As a serendipitous bonus, Stroker is unable to walk and uniquely plays her role in a wheelchair. This condition fits fortuitously with the structure of a show whose diverse spectrum of contestants includes an Asian-American, a flower child, an outspoken feminist and a homely nerd with a breathing problem and a peanut allergy.

Ephie Aardema is especially appealing as Logainne SchwartzandGrubenierre, (named for her two homosexual fathers), the youngest and most politically aware contestant.

Spelling by foot

Will Blum is William Barfée, who spells each word out on the floor with his foot to get a visual before speaking it. His legwork is excellent, and director Marc Bruni and choreographer Wendy Seyb highlight that talent in the nicely staged song and dance, “Magic Foot.” But Blum needs to improve his enunciation; some of his funniest lines were difficult to hear.

Solomon, when not playing Olive’s father or Logan’s father, is Mitch, an ex-convict performing his community service by handing out juice boxes and solace to losing students. Solomon could do more to show his aggressive, hostile side, but his rich voice almost makes us forget that shortcoming.

Andy Einhorn leads the excellent small band. Its good work, and the craftsmanship of Finn’s songs, might be overlooked by audience members who, understandably, focus on the story’s humor and drama.