The backing band is visible, but also blends into the scenery and you often forget that they're there, but they definitely make the show shine as they don't miss a beat - really adding to the overall atmosphere.
All of the reviews that I have read compared Spelling Bee to Glee, but personally, I don't really think that that does it justice. This production is a delight; it's strange, awkward and hilarious with tons of charm. It's heartwarming without being cliched or overdone. It's humorous without being predictable. It's a definite must see, even if you don't really like musicals.
For a homegrown cast, the standard is excellent, their singing is astounding and the accents are really good as well -there's even a guest appearance from a giant Jesus. It's not all about the cast though, it's the little details - several audience members also take part in the Bee and there's American candy given out to the audience which helps to set the scene and make the whole thing a bit more personal.
Overall, the one word that I would use to describe The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee would be 'fun', just plain fun from beginning to end and I highly recommend that you give it a go!
Who wrote this...?
I'm 20 years old, studying Journalism with Photo-Imaging at the University of Ulster Coleraine Campus. I have an undying love for Belfast and all that it has to offer, an undying love for sleeping, Tegan and Sara, trashy tv shows, foreign snack-foods and being irresponsible with money. I also quite like origami, reading, hip-hop, dubstep, anything acoustic and Food Network TV.