Sept. 30, 2010
Tony Award Winning “Spelling Bee” a Metaphor for Adult Life
Story By Tony Rutherford
Huntingtonnews.net Entertainment Editor
Photos By Chris Spencer
Huntingtonnews.net Photographer
Huntington, WV (HNN) - One by one they step to the microphone. They are read a word. The contestant asks that it be defined then used in a sentence. Most of the words are those seldom spoken; occasionally, easier ones come such as , cow and Mexican.
Watching an invitational dress rehearsal of Tony Award winning “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” one quickly understood the production placed more on the table than a completion of middle school spellers.
Contained with the persona of a group of school winners possessing the John Hughes quirks of a younger “Breakfast Club,” the "adolescents" on the stage individually grapple metaphorically (and otherwise) with economic status, competition (winner vs. loser), life’s fairness, gender roles, and arbitrary rules.
The popularity of “Survivor,” “American Idol,” “Miss U.S.A.,” quiz shows, and other such shows puts the challenge of competing beyond academics or sports, but to the daily win, lose, draw life choices.
Produced for the Pullman Plaza Playhouse, this is the first area presentation of “Spelling Bee,” according to Debra Wolfe, co-producer. She also praised the experienced cast who successfully take on the roles of middle school students.
Visually, Mark Radford wearing thick glasses, white socks and black loafers, earns solid mention as the overly confident “nerd” with a magic foot. Alissa Fetherolf delivers strong, always in character display as an under funded “teen” waiting for a no-show dad. She’s always utilizing her body to depict the shyness, depression and lack of confidence of her character, even when the spotlight doesn’t shine her way.
Look for long haired and helmet wearing Bradley Leonard, red/white/blue Angela Wolfe-Hunt, and smug pigtailed Michelle Goodson-Bennett, too. Incidentally, Wolfe revealed that the hotel had received calls asking about entering the spelling bee. In addition, the “Putnam County” reference is coincidental. In the Tony Award winning Broadway production , the county was deemed fictional.
Performances continue Sunday, Sept 26 and Oct 3 at 2 p.m. and, Fri-Sat, October 1-2. Show only tickets are $15. Dinner/Show $30. You can get tickets online at www.pullmanplayhouse.webs.com or by calling 304-710-7290.
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Story By Tony Rutherford
Huntingtonnews.net Entertainment Editor
Photos By Chris Spencer
Huntingtonnews.net Photographer
Huntington, WV (HNN) - One by one they step to the microphone. They are read a word. The contestant asks that it be defined then used in a sentence. Most of the words are those seldom spoken; occasionally, easier ones come such as , cow and Mexican.
Watching an invitational dress rehearsal of Tony Award winning “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” one quickly understood the production placed more on the table than a completion of middle school spellers.
Contained with the persona of a group of school winners possessing the John Hughes quirks of a younger “Breakfast Club,” the "adolescents" on the stage individually grapple metaphorically (and otherwise) with economic status, competition (winner vs. loser), life’s fairness, gender roles, and arbitrary rules.
The popularity of “Survivor,” “American Idol,” “Miss U.S.A.,” quiz shows, and other such shows puts the challenge of competing beyond academics or sports, but to the daily win, lose, draw life choices.
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Visually, Mark Radford wearing thick glasses, white socks and black loafers, earns solid mention as the overly confident “nerd” with a magic foot. Alissa Fetherolf delivers strong, always in character display as an under funded “teen” waiting for a no-show dad. She’s always utilizing her body to depict the shyness, depression and lack of confidence of her character, even when the spotlight doesn’t shine her way.
Look for long haired and helmet wearing Bradley Leonard, red/white/blue Angela Wolfe-Hunt, and smug pigtailed Michelle Goodson-Bennett, too. Incidentally, Wolfe revealed that the hotel had received calls asking about entering the spelling bee. In addition, the “Putnam County” reference is coincidental. In the Tony Award winning Broadway production , the county was deemed fictional.
Performances continue Sunday, Sept 26 and Oct 3 at 2 p.m. and, Fri-Sat, October 1-2. Show only tickets are $15. Dinner/Show $30. You can get tickets online at www.pullmanplayhouse.webs.com or by calling 304-710-7290.
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Make HNN Your Homepage (IE Users Only)
