A vibrant production with a heart of gold, striking the perfect balance of smart and silly.

The Lawler, Southbank Theatre, Melbourne
April 5, 2016

Gelastic (: a quality provoking fits of highly physical laughter), sacchariferous (: emotionally touching and sweet) and coruscate (: shining, brilliantly), The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is a gem of a musical comedy, examining the cutthroat competitiveness and social trauma simmering beneath the veneer of wholesome collegiality at a small, regional spelling contest.

It’s a show chock full of laughs, both puerile and highbrow, but funny doesn’t have to be flippant, as Vic Theatre Company’s production of this 2005 Broadway hit makes abundantly clear. It’s a work of subtly expert craftsmanship, thanks to the wit of composer-lyricist William Finn’s toe-tapping songs and Rachel Sheinkin’s book. Perfectly observed and utterly lovable characters, a powerfully uplifting message about chasing happiness over success and having the freedom to be who we choose to be, and a nicely judged element of audience participation, plug this show into an unapologetic, high-voltage joy, that’s hardwired straight to the heart.

Caitlin Mathieson as Olive Ostrovsky

When it opened eleven years ago...