Centerstage - Chicago's Original City Guide

Going through adolescence is a deeply painful experience for most, what with all the "changes" to go through and hard lessons to learn. Sometimes the good guys lose. Sometimes it's not enough to be smart or nice. In other words: life isn't fair.

That this is the major message of "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee," now playing in an open run at Drury Lane Water Tower Place, makes how utterly beguiling and hilarious the show is even more impressive. The show assembles a gang of misfits from different parts of the geek spectrum (as well as a few members of the audience) to fight for the top prize. As the elimination begins, the truths of these youngsters' lives are revealed in a series of songs and monologues.

Among the most amusing are Derrick Trumbly as a schooled-at-home hippie child and Brad Weinstock as a self-important boy scout experiencing, well...certain unexpected physical awakenings. It's hard not to be touched by the plight of Cristen Paige as the affection-hungry kid of two remote parents, as well as the pathetic situation of little lisping Logainne Schwartzandgrubenierre (Christine Werny), who is absolutely terrorized by her two success-obsessed fathers.

Additional competitors Jen Sese (as a parochial school student sick to death of being perfect) and Eric Roediger (as the ultimate nerd with a mucus membrane disorder) also make strong impressions. The proceedings are overseen by Lucia Spina as a warm-voiced realtor and Bill Larkin as a wittily deadpan giver of unhelpful word definitions, along with the "comfort counselor," who is helping out as a condition of his parole.

The songs are pleasant but not exactly transporting, with the notable exception of a trio near the end of the show in which Paige's character imagines receiving the affection she craves from her family. The gymnasium set seems at odds with the chandeliers and pillars of the Drury Lane space, although this is poked fun at by the actors.

Still, "Spelling Bee" is disarming, fun and (since it runs much less than two hours with no intermission) knows not to wear out its welcome. Hopefully the show will make like "Wicked" and stick around for a while; a show this good (and this influenced by improv and sketch comedy) deserves to be welcomed by Chicago with open arms.

Playing at Drury Lane Water Tower Place; 175 E. Chestnut St.; (312) 642-2000; $59.50-$69.50. In an open run; 7:30 p.m. Tuesday; 2 p.m. & 7:30 p.m. Wednesday; 7:30 p.m. Thursday; 8 p.m Friday; 2 p.m. & 8 p.m. Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday.