Talent shines in Little Theatre’s ‘Spelling Bee’

It's likely that only die-hard theater buffs will know this one, so I hope you'll trust me: Las Vegas Little Theatre's "The 25th Annual Putnam Country Spelling Bee" is a light, moving, poignant, funny and superbly acted and sung evening that seems just right for summer.

Rachel Sheinkin's book and William Finn's score give us seven contestants (give or take some guests from the audience) who have their own method for spelling. (One speaks into her hands, one spells the word with his foot.) Of course, we occasionally get some sad childhood stories that have driven these kids to excel, but the writers wisely stay away from too much pop psychology. We get to like all these people, but are not encouraged to weep for them.

Director Walter Niejadlik melds the cast into one glorious ensemble. They all seem born of the same vision. Joe Hynes is William Barfee, whose below-average looks and ability to breathe with only one nostril have fueled his ambitions. Hynes' (and Niejadlik's) major achievement is not kidding the role. We laugh nonstop, but always accept the character as a genuine human being.

Cory Benway as Leaf Coneybear -- in helmet, colorfully patched pants, black shirt with peace symbol, and a poor man's superhero cape -- seems as if he just discovered how much fun it is to be him.

Christine De Chavez plays an over-achieving Asian girl, and the actress gives us the anxiety that undermines her every answer.

James Grino does a very fine turn as Chip Tolentino, a man who loses the contest because of an erection.

Amanda Kraft comes across as the nicest one in the bunch, so it's particularly moving when we find out how little time her parents have for her.

And Penni Mendez, as Logainne, an elementary-school crusader for gay rights, shows her spunk as easily as her heart.

Rounding things out is the amusingly threatening Keith Dotson as former thug Mitch Mahoney who now tries to keep the guys in line. And Brian Scott as the bee's official, who has to work at staying calm due to some unknown battle going on in his head.

As complete as these performers are in creating characters, they outdo themselves when they sing: Pitch-perfect, in character, and effortless charisma. I'm not sure Las Vegas Little Theater has ever had so much talent under one roof.

Anthony Del Valle can be reached at DelValle@aol.com. You can write him c/o Las Vegas Review-Journal, P.O. Box 70, Las Vegas, NV 89125.