THEATER REVIEW:Nerds have their revenge

Remember back in grade school or junior high those super geeks who knew the answers to everything and whose classroom intellect was matched only by their social ineptitude? Well, they’re back.

Not only are they back, they’re the center of attention again — in the touring production of “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,” now in Segerstrom Hall at the Orange County Performing Arts Center.

It’s “Revenge of the Nerds” all over again as a handful of word wizards square off for a trophy the size of one of the contestants. The real contest, however, is seeing which of the young geniuses can grab the most stage time — and applause. Subtlety can take a seat early.

This Tony award-winning musical from William Finn and Rachel Sheinkin — based on a concept by Rebecca Feldman — has been restaged by its original director, James Lapine, for this first national tour. Played without intermission, it’s nearly two hours of high-voltage hilarity, stereotypical to be sure, but still immensely pleasurable.

The producers have come up with another winning gimmick — volunteers from the audience, picked from those who apply to do so before the show, are chosen to compete and, of course, are dismissed early. On opening night, it appeared one such tyro actually spelled the word that was supposed to eliminate him correctly, thus necessitating a bit of improvisation to oust the amateur.

Among the contestants, fuzzy-haired asthmatic William Barfee (Eric Petersen) — who uses his “magic foot” to deduce the answer — is the most outrageously entertaining. Chip Tolentini (Miguel Cervantes) earns the loudest laughter when he’s tripped up by his “excitement” for a fellow speller’s sister.

Then there’s — can you spell this one? — Logainne Schwartzandgrubenierre (Sarah Stiles), an introverted geek who carries the names of both her “fathers.” More down to earth is Olive (Lauren Worsham), a shy girl whose mother is meditating in India and who still needs 25 bucks for the entry fee.

The Asian whiz Marcy Park (Katie Boren), who’s weary of being typecast as an overachiever, has a seminal moment in the show that earns her fans, if not fame. And Leaf Coneybear (Michael Zahler) is a ragged young striver who becomes an audience favorite.

Overseeing the competition are former champion Rona Lisa Peretti (Jennifer Simard) — who’s watched too many Miss America pageants — and edgy assistant principal Douglas Panch (James Kall), whose shady past is, regrettably, unamplified.

The “comforter,” actually bouncer, Mitch Mahoney (Alan H. Green) — who supervises losers’ dismissal — is a fearsome figure with a deeply buried tender heart.

“Spelling Bee” is a welcome newcomer, timed appropriately for the holidays, when parents can take their kids and let them sleep the next morning. Both age groups should get a kick out of the show.