Life is Pandemonium
at the Spelling Bee!
A lively musical theatre passion project brought to life in the plateau
By Mai DaSilva
July 17, 2025
Over in the lovely Putnam County, a much-anticipated spelling competition has finally arrived, and eager tweens who worked their way up to the top must now compete for a chance to advance to the nationals. Under the direction of Cat Preston, the 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee will run from July 23 to 27 at La Chapelle Scènes Contemporaines.
This production has long been a dream and a passion project for producers, performers, and lifelong best friends Alyssa Mirarchi and Emma Doyle. This week, I was lucky enough to get a sneak peek—and I have plenty to share!
But first, can you spell effervescent, camaraderie and eudemonic? These are just a few words that come to mind to describe the feelings this production radiates. Enthusiastic and full of life, beautiful displays of blossoming friendships, and overall incredibly effective at producing joy for the audience!
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is not an easy show to bring to life. In case you don’t know, the show contains incredibly emotionally complex children tackling what the pandemonium of life has to offer. Not only that, but the show is constantly changing due to the fact that it involves many improvised bits.
However, this cast, featuring some of Montreal’s most recent shining musical theatre stars, succeeds at bringing these childhood chaoses to life without trivializing them, as well as adapting well to the constant changes of the show.
The strength of the show relies on the cast’s ability to work as an ensemble, knowing when to explode and when to pull back for shining solo moments. With the one-act ensemble-led experience, the show brings you on a whirlwind of emotions, exhibiting the classic musical theatre range from incredibly emotional songs to playfully coordinated dance numbers.
A few of the standout moments included the soul-touchingly tragic family number performed by Alyssa Mirarchi, Emma Doyle and Mike Mastromonaco, the beautiful vocal performance of singer-songwriter Morgan Weinmeister and the hilarious dance number led by Julianna Willson about her secret magic spelling weapon!
As we learn about the competing children, the spelling bee transforms into a way of showing us the trials and tribulations of childhood, things that feel trivial through the adult eye, that may define the futures of these children. The performances displayed onstage demonstrate a strong understanding and deep level of commitment to the characters and their respective stories.
Unlike any other show I’ve ever attended, I was invited to join the performers onstage. The team behind the production offers the opportunity to be one of four “guest-spellers” at their bee. This opportunity is open to all audience members, with a form allowing you to sign up ahead of time. This means new faces join every performance, rendering no two shows the same. You’ll interact with different characters, and receive words to spell chosen from an extensive list by spelling bee judge Douglas Panch, portrayed by the hilariously witty Eric Von Arx. Since nobody knows how you’ll spell the words, the actors are constantly on their toes as the show changes before everyone’s eyes.
Although I didn’t get to see the finished set, I did have early access to some of the designs and progress photos. The show perfectly brings back early 2000s nostalgia—a feeling that will connect with anyone who remembers Tamagotchis or Silly Bands. Set designer Milo Lopez has created a space that celebrates the magic of childhood while showing off the everyday messiness of being a kid. The quirky way children find excitement in ordinary things is clear not just in the show itself, but throughout the set. Keep an eye out, and you might spot some nods to your favourite 2000s childhood media in the designs.
Along with the set, co-costume designers Leah Toledano and Sara Malo-Koch drew heavily from the iconic tween fashion trends of the early 2000s to bring the characters to life. They included standout pieces like a brilliant dragon cape and subtle touches such as Boy Scout badges and club pins. Together, their work adds to the playful, over-the-top 2000s vibe, helping the actors truly embody these quirky, nerdy tweens as they come to life on stage.
Over the years, the 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee has been staged countless times since its original Broadway run. Even with its popularity, this production stands out and is worth seeing, especially if you love a blend of childhood nostalgia, impressive vocals, charming choreography, and the sheer delight of live musical theatre. The show promises an offbeat, entertaining experience that’s sure to put a smile on your face.
25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
La Chapelle Scènes Contemporaires
July 23 to 27
Direction: Cat Preston
Set designer: Milo Lopez
Costume designers: Leah Toledano and Sara Malo-Koch
Feature image: Branden Desormeau
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Mai DaSilva is an up-and-coming multidisciplinary artist based outside Montreal. She has performed in various plays and independently produced several of her scripts. Currently a theatre student at John Abbott College, Mai is ecstatic to delve deeper into the world of Montreal theatre.
