Spelling Bee is the New Chorus Line!

Let's face it - most of us love competition, rooting for the underdog, learning where these people came from, and having a great time.

That's why The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is the new A Chorus Line, and it's worth every letter! A.

(now playing in Boston at the Wilbur Theatre)

All Shook Up and Down

The current tour of All Shook Up is cross between Footloose, Twelfth Night, and Grease, and it's the latest show to join the parade of Jukebox Musicals. Believe it or not, there is an okay - if not flimsy - book about a good-looking dude coming to town and making everyone fall in love. Joe Mandragona as Chad (the good-looking dude) has significant stage presence, but he needs to ooze more sex appeal to truly capture the character.

The choreography and sets are very impressive, and local audience members may remember Natasha Yvette Williams from North Shore Music Theatre's Ain't Misbehavin'. She all but steals the show with her torch song in Act Two. No, it's not a great musical, but it's a lot of fun. This is definitely a crowd pleaser. B-.