ppspellingbee

__Pros __ // 1. //// Spelling Bee //provided multiple reasons to re-visit the show as or to encourage others to view the show for the first time. One of the aspects of the play that stood out to me as an audience member was the musical quality of the piece. As a musical, the singing capabilities of the actors were put on display for all to see. As a whole, I felt that the performers exhibited a wonderful musical ability. Good voices combined to help make the performance entertaining and engaging. // 2. //Another reason for visiting the show was the comedy laced throughout. The play was obviously intended to be a bit ridiculous. The performance delivered in this aspect and engaged the audience while providing laughable moments. The absurdity of scenes such as the erection sequence and subsequent song kept the audience entertained and kept everyone doubled over in their seats with laughter. // 3. //A third reason for going to see the play would be the interaction that the actors had with the audience. This was seen in multiple parts of the play. The fact that people were pulled from the audience highlighted this unique part of the play, along with the fact that actors came down the aisles of the venue to enter the stage many times. Instead of only emerging from backstage, performers often came from within the sitting area and aisles. This helped to change things up and keep the audience on their toes. Possibly the most entertaining example of this was when candy was thrown into the crowd. I nearly took a blow-pop to the head! Actions such as this during the play helped to keep the audience involved and feeling as if they were truly a part of the performance. // 4. //I also felt that having the band on stage was very interesting. First, the band was, in my opinion, very good. I thought they gave a great show and I enjoyed the music. The choice to have them present on the stage was different than most shows that one encounters, and for this reason presented another interesting twist to the play. // 5. //<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">The lighting of the show was also very well executed. A series of lighting techniques was used, including strobe lights and interesting usage of spotlights. The lighting did a good job of working to separate the musicians from the rest of the performance as well. They were left in semi-darkness for the entirety of the show and I felt that this helped to keep attention focused on the performers for the most part. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"> __<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">Cons __ <span style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">1. Although // Spelling Bee // was, for the most part, well done, there were still aspects that could have been tweaked to maximize the performance value. At times I felt that the acting was a little too over the top. Although the show is clearly presentational and not meant to be a serious, dramatic show, the actors played up the “silliness” of the show too much in my opinion. I thought that this acting was a bit distracting at times and led to a childish feel. <span style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">2. While watching the performance, I also felt that the show was slow and toilsome. The action lost speed at points of the performance. The sprinkling of comedy throughout the show provided entertainment, but I felt that it was too sparse to support the entire performance. The random outbursts of song and dance contributed to the disjointed feel in my opinion. Unfortunately, I am not sure that the director or performers would have many possibilities for rectifying this situation. Much of this has to do with the manner in which the play is written, and the performers have no control over this. A different play selection is, possibly, the only thing that could be done to avert this problem. However, that is no real solution, just a shying away from performing // Spelling Bee // in the future. <span style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">3. The presence of the musicians on stage could be a problem for some patrons. Although I was negligibly distracted by this set up, I can see where it has the potential to have negative effects on the experience of some viewers. It would not be difficult to imagine attention shifting from actors to the musicians and thus negating the desired theatrical effect. <span style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">4. Although I was very pleased with the lighting for the most part, I think it could have made a few minor improvements. My main issue was with how dark the set was throughout the show. This may have been an unfortunate byproduct of the attempt to keep the musicians in the “background” by keeping them in relative visual obscurity. Either way, I felt at times that I was straining to view the performance. I can only imagine what viewers in the back of the venue felt while trying to view the show. <span style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">5. Lastly, I felt that the show was just a bit too simplistic. With no real set changes or major problems to overcome, the play just seemed a bit dull. I understand that the play is meant to be a presentational comedy, but I still feel like a show should expound upon uniquely human experiences/cause introspection. I felt that this show was shallow and did not challenge me, as an audience member, at all.
 * // <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee // **