8 A
SIUSLAW NEWS ❚ WEDNESDAY, JUNE 17, 2015
‘Putnam County Spelling Bee’ is honey of a show
Review
B Y B URNEY G ARELICK
Outright prolonged laughter
exploded like fireworks at the
Florence Events Center June 12
when the Last Resort Players
opened “The 25th Annual
Putnam County Spelling Bee,”
an uproarious musical comedy
that raced through almost two
hours faster than you could
spell “jello.”
In its 21 years of presenting
theater in Florence, the LRP hit
the heights with this show.
“Spelling Bee” is absolutely
perfect. It was a confluence of
outstanding play, music and
lyrics with outstanding execu-
tion by LRP director David
Lauria, music director Jason
Wood, accompanist Johanna
Bonisteel and an unbelievably
accomplished cast.
Just as “Spelling Bee” was a
Broadway hit and a critical and
box-office success, so too is the
LRP production. Broadway and
myriad other productions aside,
LRP’s presentation makes it
seem like the show’s characters
were written expressly for the
Florence actors who plucked
their parts from the page to cre-
ate flesh-and-blood individuals.
Who could play William
Barfee better than Jason Wood,
and who could play Leaf
Coneybear better than Matt
Korso?
These are just two members
of the LRP cast of nine awe-
some players, and “awesome”
is not a word that comes easily
to these lips.
Words, of course, are the nuts
and bolts of this show. Six mid-
dle-schoolers compete for first
place in the county spelling bee
and the opportunity to win a
trophy, cash, bragging rights
and a trip to Washington, D.C.,
to compete in the national bee.
The kids are geeky, quirky
and awkward — the stuff of
adolescence — as each boy and
girl tries to validate their own
existence.
Yes, there are serious over-
tones underlying the hilarious
pandemonium. Each kid brings
baggage to the bee, as do the
three adults managing the
event.
The kids learn about the val-
ues and priorities of competing,
winning and losing. The word-
spelling is interspersed with
vignettes describing the not-
quite sordid lives of the com-
petitors and the slings and
arrows they encounter.
During the course of the bee,
two of the most estranged kids
become friends.
But there will be no spoiler
alerts here. This is a show
you’ve got to see for yourself.
In this comedy of words, the
spelling words are as simple as
“jello” and “cow” and as obtuse
as
“crepuscule”
and
“sesquipedalian.”
The spellers can ask for defi-
nitions and usage examples,
neither of which is helpful,
except for getting a laugh.
In addition to knowing the
spelling words, the actors must
know the dialogue and the
lyrics; no easy assignment. The
dialogue is bright, crisp and
funny, and the lyrics are twisted
and tricky with an insistent up-
tempo beat.
The LRP actors were
undaunted by the syllables, and
all the singing was spot on — a
rarity for community theater.
Kudos,
bouquets
and
applause to the actor-singers!
An exceptional music direc-
tor and vocalist, Wood is a con-
summate actor in a variety of
roles, this time in his larger-
than-life portrayal of Barfee.
Gruff, rude, testy about the mis-
pronunciation of his name and
determined to win after having
just missed the year before due
to a peanut allergy, Barfee and
his “Magic Foot” mean to kick
butt.
Korso has the uncanny abili-
ty to dissolve his own identity
into a character’s fantasies,
quirks and anxieties, leaving an
indelible impression of a
bizarre, touching reality.
His portrayal of Leaf
Coneybear, the red-haired wild
child, is priceless and endear-
ing.
Tall, handsome Jesse Reeves
is positively charming as polite,
helpful, upstanding Boy Scout
Chip Tolentino with a good shot
of reclaiming victory — if he
doesn’t fall victim to surging
hormones.
Elizabeth Rose assumes with
grace and style the conflicted
role of Logainne Schwartzand-
grunenierre — how can she be
anything but a good speller with
a name like that! Logainne
strives to overcome the pressure
to win urged on her by her two
dads, played in the vignette by
Wood and Korso.
Erin Reinke is particularly
adept at using body language
THRIFTY THURSDAYS!
Hair Cuts $15.00 Manicures $15.00
Pedicures $25.00
Brow Wax $5.00
Lip Wax $5.00
Full Set Acrylics $35.00
Colors $10.00 Off
Weaves $15.00 Off
The Pink Parlor Salon
Think Pink-Be Pink
Inside Oregon Coast Tatoo with Kylie!
1379 Rhododendron Drive, Suite A
Schedule yo
ur
appointmen
t
now to insu
re
your spot!
541-999-5678
541-902-5158
PHOTO BY CHANTELLE MEYER/SIUSLAW NEWS
Last Resort Players’ comedy “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,” continues
this weekend at the Florence Events Center. It is appropriate for mature audiences.
and terse expression to paint a
telling Rembrandt portrait of
child prodigy Marcy Park, a
scholastic and athletic phenom
who is a stranger to desire and
pleasure.
Tamara Cole delivers a warm
and affecting performance as
latchkey kid Olive Ostrovsky,
whose only friends are in the
dictionary; she’s happy with her
word friends but evinces a long-
ing for human relationships.
You’ll want to hug her.
The three adult characters are
not avuncular; they are con-
cerned with following the rules
of the bee and keeping the
spellers on track: Hilary Roach,
with a voice that sustains high
notes that shatter glass, is a hoot
as perky bee moderator and top
realtor Rona Lisa Peretti, whose
bee victory decades ago seems
the highlight of her life; Leah
Goodwin captures the icy per-
sona of Donna Panch, disgrun-
tled vice-principal and surly
contest judge who is the tip of
an iceberg globally warmed by
frustrated dreams; and Jacob
Ternyik is scary good as tat-
tooed ex-convict thug Mitch
Mahoney, doing community
service as a comfort counselor
who would like everyone
to believe he has a heart of
gold.
“Spelling Bee” is presented
on the FEC flat floor for an inti-
mate theater experience.
You may even get to be a part
of it! During each show, four
audience members are recruited
to join the competition. You’re
not scripted to win, but you will
enjoy a few minutes of fame
and reap buckets of applause
upon exiting on the arm of
Mitch.
Ultimately, this excellent
production of “Spelling Bee” is
all in good fun and everyone’s a
winner.
“Spelling Bee” played last
weekend and concludes this
coming Friday, Saturday, and
Sunday.
Depending on demand for
tickets, an additional perform-
ance may be added Saturday
afternoon.
So move your Magic Foot
and go see this spellbinding tri-
umph.
Father’s Day Special
starting from 11am
T he
Chick en Coop
O N M A P L E
We have
NEW ARRIVALS
for Summer!
Beach décor, Wall Signs, Primitive Décor,
Jewelry, Candles, Birdhouses and more!
129 Maple Street , Old Town Florence
541-991-7739
STEAK
served with green salad
bacon cheddar mashed potatoes
corn on the cob
and your choice of coff ee, tea or soft drink...$13.95
Kathleen and Nina’s Restaurant
3611 Highway 101 541-997-7004
BARBECUE
AT FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH
Saturday, June 20, 2015
11am-1:00 pm
Hamburgers, Hot Dogs, Chips
FATHERS DAY SPECIALS
Sunday, June 21st; Serving from 3pm
•New York Steak topped with crimini mushrooms... $14
•Seafood Platter- King crab leg, scallops, prawns, and salmon fi let...$20
•Chicken Pesto Pasta...$12
All served with choice of side, salad and complimentary dessert for Dad!
Reservations suggested. Please call 541-997-2800
1263 Bay St., Old Town Florence
Let me Showcase your property.
Pre-regi
stration
for
“JOURN
EY
OFF
THE MA
P”
Vacation
Bible Sch
oo
& Activi l
ties
VBS DATES: June 22nd-26th
9:00 am to 12:15 PM
Ages 4 Year to 6th Grade
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH
1935 25th Street • Florence
Amanda DeTar
Broker
541 999-4285
Summer Special
85304 Glenada Rd – Custom home built in 2012
close to town. 2 large bdrms fit king bed. Guest
bath has roll-in tiled shower. Hardwood floors,
granite counters, vaulted ceilings, open floorplan.
Utility room can be 3rd bdrm. Greenhouse with
southern exposure. $222,000. #2403-15000399
1749 Highway 101 • 541-997-1200
First 5 to move in get
$500 off rent for 3
months
Sunday Brunch
for Seniors
FRESH CRAB
Every Sunday 11 to 1:30
$6 per person
2066 Highway 101, Florence
541-997-0343
Woody Woodbury
Independent Owner/Operator
Florence Grocery Outlet
Treat Dad to a Salmon BBQ!
BARBECUE CEDAR PLANK SALMON
INGREDIENTS:
DIRECTIONS:
Soak the cedar plank in cold water for 2 hours;
the cedar plank should be completely immersed in
water, so weigh it down (a heavy bowl works well).
Combine marinade ingredients in a shallow non-
reactive dish large enough to hold the salmon.
Place the salmon in the marinade and turn to coat;
•1 Untreated Cedar Plank let marinate at room temperature for 30 minutes.
Preheat a grill to medium heat.
Place the cedar plank on the hot grill. Once the
Fresh In The Case
cedar plank starts to smoke, place the salmon fillet
This Week:
on top of it, skin side down. Arrange the sliced
Oysters, Steamers,
onions on top of the salmon. Pour
Shrimp, Salmon,
the marinade over all. Cover the grill
Smoked Fish
and cook for 15 minutes. If the
and more...
plank catches on fire, it can be
lightly sprayed with water.
Recipe from Foodnetwork.com
•1/4 cup olive oil
•1/4 cup lemon juice
•1 (2-pound) salmon fillet
•1 medium onion,
thinly sliced
THE KRAB KETTLE
280 Hwy. 101 (2 Blocks N. of Bridge) Florence
MONDAY-SUNDAY 10-6 • 541-997-8996
Starting on Father’s Day
with a BBQ
1SPEVDFt%BJSZ%FMJ
)FBMUI#FBVUZ
'SP[FO'PPETt'SFTI.FBU
)PVTFXBSFTt#FFS8JOF
0SHBOJD/BUVSBM'PPET
BOENVDINPSF
We have ample RV parking!
The best kept retirement secret
on the Oregon Coast
LET US DO THE COOKING
AND CLEANING
1451 Spruce St.
Florence
541-997-8202
shorewoodretirem@qwestoffice.net