Plan to 'bee' at university theater

My thinly disguised (or possibly blatantly obvious) inner nerd is rejoicing.

Two of my passions — musical theater and spelling bees — are coming together a week from today when the Eastern New Mexico University department of theater and digital film presents “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,” on the main stage of the University Theater Center.

My almost lifelong association with spelling bees began with a soul-crushing defeat at a regional bee in the 1970s when I was plunged into personal “melancholia” after the silver bell dinged to announce to the universe that “m-e-l-O-n-c-h-o-l-i-a” was, alas, incorrect.

Miraculously, I rallied and have gone on to spend years of involvement in local and county spelling bees as a pronouncer, judge, and director.

Bees are a source of endless entertainment which can only be improved in one way: By putting all those quirky characters on a stage in a musical comedy.

Eastern’s take on “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” will be woven into Homecoming activities the weekend of Oct. 5-8.

To avoid direct conflicts, curtain times are a little unconventional. It’s set for 7 p.m. on Oct. 5; 3 p.m. on Oct. 6; and 2 p.m. on Oct. 7-8.

This is a laugh-until-you-cry theater experience, or at least it was for me when I sat in on a rehearsal last week.

The occasional risqué moments from the 2005 Broadway production have been softened to make this a family-friendly version, a perfect choice for Homecoming weekend.

There are a few poignant scenes, but the clever script is packed with witty lyrics and offers m-u-l-t-i-t-u-d-i-n-o-u-s laugh lines during a mock spelling bee that includes six cast contestants and several audience members.

The sentences used to clarify the words are — alone — worth the $7 ticket price.

For example, after one baffled speller learns that a “capybara” is a “tailless, largely aquatic South American rodent often exceeding four feet in length,” he asks if there is a sentence.

“Yes,” the pronouncer deadpans. “Don’t look now, Pedro, but I think that tailless, largely aquatic 4 1/2-foot rodent swimming next to you may be a capybara.”

The 105-minute production (including a 15-minute intermission) flies by before even a squirmy theater-goer will have time to get restless.

If you are a plan-ahead kind of person, tickets are already on sale and general admission seats may be reserved by calling 575-562-2711. ENMU students are admitted for free.

Add a little coruscation (glitter, sparkle; a flash of wit) to your Homecoming weekend by attending “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.”

You’ll be g-l-a-d you did.

Betty Williamson still flinches when she hears a bell. You may reach her at: [email protected]