Entertaining, fun 'Bee' among stage openings

When "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" first opened in New York in 2005, critics had a heyday. "How do you spell h-i-t?" and "The most f-u-n I've had in years!"

A spelling bee may seem an odd premise for a musical comedy. After all, most are filled with nerves, self-doubt and plenty of adolescent jitters. That's precisely what makes "Spelling Bee" so entertaining.

The six student competitors share their methods of spelling (trust me, it's cute), and they also give us a peek into their personal lives, which are amusing and sometimes sad. They worry about being smart enough, worry about losing, worry that dad isn't going to show up, and are outraged that some kids have to spell "phylactery" while others only have to spell "telephone."

This is not a bee for the whole family, however. Keep in mind, the students are prepubescent Some of those changes and struggles are not family friendly but will put a smile on adult faces who have been through adolescence. If you were a champion speller in your day, be on the lookout for an opportunity to spell again.

Performances are at the University of Utah's Kingsbury Hall Tuesday through Thursday at 7:30 p.m., Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 2 and 8 p.m., and Sunday at 2 and 7 p.m. Prices range from $25-$60.

"Spelling Bee" has members of the audience compete onstage including local radio DJ Bill Allred on opening night and talk show host Doug Wright on Wednesday night.

Here are other productions opening this week:

• "BIG RIVER" opens Saturday and runs through March 29 at Rodgers Memorial Theatre, 292 E. Pages Lane, Centerville.

This Tony award-winning musical (with songs and lyrics by Roger Miller) ran for years on Broadway. The Rodgers' production will be directed by J.D. Madsen and choreographed by Julie Boyer, with musical direction by Vicki Belnap.

Performances are nightly except Sundays at 7:30 p.m. On weeknights, the tickets are $13 for adults and $12 for students and senior citizens. On weekends the cost is $16 and $14. Children are $9 every night. For reservations call 298-1302.

• "JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH" is a production by Cleveland Signstage on Tour, featuring deaf as well as hearing actors bringing one of Roald Dahl's best-loved stories to the stage at Brigham Young University in Provo.

The story is one of a small boy whose parents die and who is sent to live with his cruel aunts, Spiker and Sponge. When a mysterious man gives James a gift, his life changes.