MNfusion: CTC Kicks Off 50th Season With 'Akeelah And The Bee'

A-N-N-I-V-E-R-S-A-R-Y.

Over the course of the last year the Children's Theatre Company has made numerous announcements about their upcoming 50th anniversary season. And on Tuesday it arrived.

On Sept. 1 the CTC opened the highly-anticipated season with the first-ever stage adaptation of "Akeelah and the Bee."

The story first became familiar to audiences in 2006, when the film from which the stage version is derived was released.

The story centers on 11-year-old Akeelah who is smart, funny and a gifted speller. However, while she enjoys spelling she is afraid to show her intelligence for fear of being made fun of at school. Encouraged by her principal to enter a spelling bee, Akeelah does so and wins the competition and a spot at the district spelling bee. In her journey to the district competition and beyond, Akeelah has to face the adversity of her neighborhood and family while also learning how they can aide her success.

For those familiar with the movie, a few details were slightly different. However, these minor discrepancies didn't weaken the show. In fact, they strengthened it.

Playwright Cheryl L. West's adaptation sets the story in one of Chicago's South Side neighborhoods.

In an interview with CTC, West said she chose Chicago because she grew up there and was familiar with the area. But, West also mentions the fear and frustration Akeelah feels with her surroundings and explains how Chicago embodies that environment.

"It's congested, clamorous and chaotic," she said. "Chicago is considered the murder capital of the country right now."

While the message of the play would remain the same whether it was set in L.A., D.C. Baltimore, New York or Chicago, setting it in the Midwest city brings the story closer to home for Minnesotans.

West also chose to have Akeelah have only one sibling, her brother Reggie (Nathan Barlow), as opposed to three siblings as seen in the film.

While this choice was perhaps made more in the name of simplicity, it also helped highlight central themes of the show.

By having only one sibling, it is easier to see the complexities of sibling relationships. As opposed to having one sibling who are you close to, one who is distant and one who is the "screw-up," Reggie embodies all of these for Akeelah. She loves him but becomes frustrated by many of his actions.

Their closeness also highlights the difficulty the family experienced after losing their father, Samuel.

Upon first viewing the set, it appears less colorful than many of the CTC's other productions. Three white/light gray-washed wooden pieces act as apartment buildings on the south side. However, the sets rotate and evolve throughout the show, incorporating more color as Akeelah grows and evolves.

Johannah Easley does a wonderful job of creating a very likeable and relatable Akeelah. Even during times when Akeelah is pitying herself or mouthing off to her spelling teacher, Easley make the audience empathize with why she may be acting out.

Barlow plays Reggie as very stereotypical inner city black man. but does so without being rude. He offers a comedic relief while shedding light on the struggles and challenges Akeelah's community presents her, Reggie and many like them throughout the country. Easley and Barlow also have a great on-stage relationship that is a joy to watch.

Her kind, quiet characterization also pairs perfectly with pompous and rude Dylan (Sean Phinney)

Phinney plays an incredibly convincing villain in Dylan. So much so, that until the audience sees his father scold him after the state tournament, there is little sympathy for him.

Easley, Phinney and the other spellers do a wonderful job of acting out the action of spelling.

The show offers message of education, determination, community and family in a way that both parents and kids can enjoy.

"Akeelah And The Bee" is open now through Oct. 11. Tickets range from $10 to $58. For more information, or to purchase tickets, visit the Children's Theatre Company online.