Premiering from April 10 to April 13 at Pomona College’s Seaver Theatre, “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” delivered a tale of ambition, humor and vulnerability that kept audiences on the edge of their seats from start to finish.
The musical tells the stories of six quirky students competing in the titular spelling competition, where only one can emerge victorious. Based on the Broadway show of the same name, the Pomona production, directed by Fran de Leon, performed the musical’s original score composed by the late William Finn and narrative written by Rachel Sheinkin.
Though lighthearted on the surface, the production weaves in moments of deeper emotional resonance, exploring the pressures of childhood, identity and belonging.
In each production, members from the crowd are randomly selected to play contestants, providing improvised comedy and a unique experience every showing.
Ryan Chen PZ ’27, who played the wholesome counselor Mitch Mahoney, shared his enthusiasm for performing the number “Prayer of the Comfort Counselor,” which features audience participation.
“I love to do my number,” Chen said. “It’s a lot of fun. I get to mess with an audience member on stage. And it’s a rare song where you get to sing your heart out.”
When on standby, cast members would often sit in the front row, allowing spontaneous interactions with the audience members seated behind them.
“Though lighthearted on the surface, the production weaves in moments of deeper emotional resonance, exploring the pressures of childhood, identity and belonging.“
Attendee Jamie Miller PZ ’26 said this unique experience made him want to return for a second show.
“I want to come [again] because of the audience interaction,” Miller said. “I was sitting in the first row behind where all the cast members were sitting. So it was fun to hear them talk, and they talked to me a little bit too.”
Beyond the humor and chaos of the bee, the musical also tugs at the audience’s heartstrings through its characters’ relatable backstories, which lend emotional weight to the cast’s performances.
Nicholas Russell PO ’26, who played William Barfée, described his character as someone who resonates with those who feel like outsiders.
“Barfée is a child of divorce,” Russell explained. “He has a stepmom who he doesn’t get along super well with. But what really speaks to the soul of his character is that he’s kind of just a nerd. He’s a love letter to every outcast that didn’t fit in because they loved certain fandoms, certain classes in school and aspects of life that aren’t appreciated.”
While the spotlight shone on the actors, the crew also played a crucial role in making the show a success behind the scenes. Philo Judson PZ ’26, the lead sound engineer, particularly enjoyed mixing the audio for the Act Two number “Woe is Me.”
“With the mix of the band members we have and the instruments they play, and the actress whose voice just really fits, it’s a fun song,” Judson said. “It all just comes together really well.”
Bringing it all to life was no simple task. With a production spanning two months and rehearsals totaling twenty hours a week, the team worked hard to deliver their final performance. This long process fostered a tight-knit community among the cast and crew.
“There’s a lot of time and effort that goes into a production like this, and when we come out the other side, we have the production that we’ve made,” Chen said. “But we also have the relationships we’ve developed with each other.”
Russell echoed the sentiment and offered encouragement to anyone interested in theater.
“We strive for a more professional caliber of what we’re doing, but I would say to anybody who’s interested in theater: just go out and audition,” Russell said. “Even if it doesn’t go the way you necessarily want it to, it’s such a valuable experience. And you meet people [who] become friends for your entire life.”
With a positive reception from attendees and a fulfilling experience for the cast and crew, some hope that this production will open the door for more musicals in the future.
“I love musicals,” Judson said. “I wish this department did more of them. We only have one every other year, so every eight shows is a musical. And every time we have a musical, tons of people want to do it.”
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