Let the blog catch-up continue! I'm almost caught up!
This one is kind of special. A few weeks ago I had the chance to see a community production of the musical "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" Holy moly was it a good show. I laughed my head off.
Then there's this moment, and you'd probably have to see the show, that is absolutely heart-wrenching and of course that's the song that found its way into my head!
Let me try to explain.
So- this show is pretty unique. It really is a Spelling Bee turned into a musical! The characters are quirky and funny and are basically children being played by adults. At the heart of the story is a shy girl named Olive. She is an excellent speller and she's alone at the Bee with no support from parents. She keeps mentioning that they should arrive soon and over time it becomes evident that here folks aren't coming.
An interesting way they tell these characters' stories is by doing flashbacks and other narratives to develop the characters. You see these kids' backstories when an actor playing another character steps up and pretends to be one of the parents. It's really effective.
Olive's story arcs in one moment as she's about to spell a word and she imagines what her life would be like if her parents were more present in her life. Her mother has left for India and her father isn't present emotionally. It's a heartbreaking and beautiful moment. The music is gorgeous and the way it's played out by using a spelling word "Chimerical" is maybe some of the most creative story telling I've seen in some time.
My wife was just cast in this show, playing Rona, (and also Olive's mother in this moment) and I can't wait to hear her sing this trio. Gorgeous. And so sad.
Here's "The I Love You Song" from The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. I hope you're moved nearly as much as I am by this song and moment:
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