The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee Reviews
DC Theater Arts- Highly Recommended
"...Compass Rose Theater’s production of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is a hilarious take on childhood and competition. The 2005 musical, conceived by Rebecca Feldman, with music and lyrics by William Finn, and book by Rachel Sheinkin, shows the quirky, chaotic side of middle school spelling bees. Directed by Tommy Malek, with musical direction by Rachel Sandler, it also skillfully uses musical improvisation and audience participation, with several audience members taking place in the bee."
MD Theatre Guide- Highly Recommended
"...“The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” now playing at Compass Rose Theater is a delightful and moving production. This 2005 Tony Award-winning musical (written by Rachel Sheinkin, music and lyrics by William Finn, additional material by Jay Reiss, and conceived by Rebecca Feldman) is hilarious, controlled chaos under Tommy Malek’s tight direction and choreography."
Theatre Bloom- Highly Recommended
"...Charming— (adjective) ‘Extremely pleasing or delightful.’ Compass Rose Theater is now producing the most charming production of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee I think I can ever recall seeing— and that’s saying something as I’ve covered it over a dozen times in as many years, including just a month ago elsewhere! C-H-A-R-M-I-N-G. Directed & Choreographed by Tommy Malek with Musical Direction by Rachel Sandler, this feel-good, upbeat, absolutely adorable musical is perfectly parsed in the intimate staging space that Compass Rose Theater has at Maryland Hall; you’ll laugh, you’ll smile, you’ll feel good and leave the theatre wholly uplifted and transported to your happy place. Who couldn’t use a little more joy and charm in their lives right now? Compass Rose Theater is certainly delivering on that front!"