 
|
|
Audio CD
Publisher: Ghostlight Records
Format: Cast Recording
When was the last time you heard a musical with a truly hilarious book? Rachel Sheinkin has concocted such a thing for The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, one of the most unexpected hits of 2005. Unfortunately, Sheinkin's wit is mostly lost on a cast album; fortunately, the show's songs are by the great William Finn. Set at the titular event, the musical never looks down on the competiting kids (played by adult actors), instead portraying them as endearingly nerdy but also smart, and endowing them with real personalities rather than predictably spelling-bee tics. The cast is uniformly superb, although personal faves include Sarah Saltzberg, playing Logainne Schwartzandgrubenierre with a delicious lisp ("Woe Is Me"); Jesse Tyler Ferguson, bringing sweet innocence to Leaf Coneybear ("I'm Not That Smart"); and Dan Fogler, in a breakout comic performance as William Barfee ("Magic Foot," sounding like a sly tribute to Kander & Ebb). This show may be small in scale, but it's a huge winner. --Elisabeth Vincentelli Other Great Musicals of the Season 
Spamalot | 
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels | 
The Light in the Piazza | 
Little Women | 
All Shook Up | 
Altar Boyz |
| Customer Reviews: |
|
| |
| Hear the music, see the play!! |
| Customer Rating: 5 out of 5 |
 |
|
If this musical is playing in your area, get tickets and see it soon! I have to say it was one of the best musicals I have ever seen - so much more 'real' than Le Miz (so overblown) and more touching than Lion King. I saw it 4 times when it was in San Francisco - if you love ensemble-type theater you'll love this play.
|
| Great fun, but not for the little ones! |
| Customer Rating: 4 out of 5 |
 |
|
We thought this was great fun, very engaging in the tradition of the modern musical. Just be careful, there are a couple of cuts that are not for "the wee ones". But, my 2nd and 4th grader love all the other songs. They love "Magic Foot" in particular. We just skip past the "mature" material. I suggest you listen to it first so you know what to skip.
|
| Love it!!!! |
| Customer Rating: 5 out of 5 |
|
|
This is a great cd. I loved it when I listened to it, but loved it more after I saw the show.
|
| Good but not great |
| Customer Rating: 3 out of 5 |
 |
|
I'd heard the opening number as well as "The I Love You Song" upon which I decided I'd like to listen to the entire soundtrack. I liked the concept behind the musical and thought it would be fun.
Upon first listening I have to say I was slightly disappointed. The style of singing is all the same: strong and loud and the melodic movement of the songs is generally all the same with lots of long notes that generally get prety annoying after awhile.
Some positives though...The songs move through the progression of the bee quite nicely with the "Goodbye" Songs and "My Favourite Moment From the Bee" songs adding a nice theme to the whole score.
"The I Love You Song" is still a personal favourite but "Woe is Me" is also a strong song and parts of "Pandemonium" with it's upbeat rhythm are toe tapping and enjoyable.
The characters are varied but their songs don't really do them justice.
Good but not great.
|
| Charming musical |
| Customer Rating: 4 out of 5 |
|
|
Spelling Bee has a cute score with a number of memorable tunes. While the overall theme is quite comical, there are a few more serious moments when one of the characters talks about her absentee mother. "Magic Foot" is a total scream. This should be on the shelves of all lovers of musical comedy.
|
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
The Spelling Bee Rules / My Favorite Moment of the Bee 1
My Friend, the Dictionary
The First Goodbye
Pandemonium
I'm Not That Smart
The Second Goodbye
Magic Foot
Pandemonium (Reprise) / My Favorite Moment of the Bee 2
Why We Like Spelling
Prayer of the Comfort Counselor
My Unfortunate Erection (Chip's Lament)
Woe Is Me
I'm Not That Smart (Reprise)
I Speak Six Languages
The I Love You Song
Woe Is Me
My Favorite Moment of the Bee 3 / Second
Finale
The Last Goodbye
|
