The bee is hosted by Rona Lisa Peretti (played by Anna Skinner), a former champion who now serves as the event’s nostalgic and slightly over–enthusiastic moderator. She’s joined by Vice Principal Douglas Panch (played by Patrick Thiem), a quirky word pronouncer and Mitch Mahoney (played by Jasse Camacho Vera), the “comfort counselor” who hands out juice boxes, offers hugs, and sings a goodbye song to the eliminated kids.

The contestants include William Barfée (played by Anthony Nuñez), an awkward kid with a “magic foot” spelling technique and plenty of confidence. Logainne Schwartzandgrubenierre (played by Ava Stripp) is politically aware and under pressure from her two overbearing dads.

Leaf Coneybear (played by Aaron Lee) is a sweet, insecure kid who constantly questions his ability. Marcy Park (Ainslee Konkle) is a perfectionist who speaks not five, but six languages –and is exhausted by meaningless winning. Chip Tolentino (played by Shane Stafford) is a Boy Scout and returning champion whose performance is derailed by a sudden surge of male hormones. Olive Ostrovsky (Maddie Penpek) is shy and soft–spoken, finding solace in the dictionary while coping with emotionally distant parents. As the bee progresses, the kids are eliminated one by one, revealing deeper emotional layers, family dynamics, and personal struggles.

The show is a balanced blend of quirky humor and touching moments. Although it centers around elementary school children, many of the jokes are driven by very mature references —ranging from political commentary to natural human reaction (Chip’s dramatic exit, for example, is marked by the song which laments how his male desires disrupted his performance.)

The production engages the audience by breaking the fourth wall and allowing them to participate in the play. By inviting four lucky members to join the cast, the production makes the audience feel like they’re witnessing a real spelling bee. Each participant brings their personal touches to the stage, creating memorable and hilarious moments.

As a musical comedy, the vocal performances and music were spot–on. Although there were a few moments when the music overpowered the actors’ voices, the performances remained compelling and effectively conveyed what they were meant to deliver. The play also contains several random moments – some wildly entertaining, others slightly confusing and potentially distracting.

Schuster Theatre’s 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee might seem simple and straightforward at first glance. The play is not high in drama or emotionally draining, it’s warm, funny, and whimsically weird. Despite its minimal storyline, it seizes every moment and transforms it into genuine laughter, and that might be all we need for a cozy evening.