'Spelling Bee' knows how to spell out a good time

Sometimes the Capitol Theatre's Best of Broadway series seems like the Whatever Broadway's Got series. But not this year, especially after Friday's performance of "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee."

The 2005 Tony-winning musical is two hours of quirky, very funny, and overachieving adolescent fun performed to perfection by the touring cast, as well as four audience volunteers that included Yakima City Councilman Micah Cawley and Warehouse Theatre Company regular Sandi Cok.

In the show, which really isn't anything more than a spelling bee, each speller uses his or her own unique way of -- dancing out the letters, spelling in sign language, going into a trance -- to keep from being eliminated. Throughout the heated competition, the preteen linguists also let us in on how hard it is to be so smart, or even just to be themselves.

"I like the theme from 'Rocky,' though I play Mozart more," sings the tiny Marcy Park, who speaks six languages and can karate-chop a table.

Of course, teenage hormones are ranging and that spells defeat for Boy Scout extraordinaire Chip Tolentino, who is back to defend his title as spelling champ, but, unfortunately, puberty -- and thoughts of his fellow competitor's sister -- make it hard for him to concentrate.

As for Logainne Schwartzandgrubenierre, her two dads put on the pressure to win, while Olive Ostrovsky's mom is seeking enlightenment in India and her dad never shows up to the bee.

Then there's the sarcastic William Barfee (pronounced like parfait), who was undoubtedly my favorite character. Each time the bee judge would tell him, "That is correct," William would answer, "I know."

With music and lyrics by William Finn and the book by Rachel Sheinkin, "Spelling Bee" is full of great laughs, mostly from quick one-liners that never grow tiresome or trite and also include some current references -- a Sarah Palin jab -- and localized humor.

"Have you ever been to a gymnasium with naked cherubs on the ceiling?" asks the lisping Logainne while looking up at the Capitol's painted dome ceiling.

And by the end, no matter who wins, you find yourself really caring about each of these weirdo kids.

* Kim Nowacki is the Yakima Herald-Republic's arts and entertainment writer. She can be reached at 577-7680 or knowacki@yakimaherald.com.