SOLANA BEACH -- Remember those spelling bees in school, and thinking how weird those kids who liked to spell were?

Now you have the chance to savor just how strange, in North Coast Repertory Theatre’s hilarious yet poignant production of “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.”

The runaway 2005 off-Broadway hit (later successfully translated to Broadway) plays through Aug. 3, directed by Rick Simas.

Rachel Sheinkin’s book gives us a geek parade of six misfits, all charming in their own way, each with sights set on that big trophy on the dais at the back of the room – and the trip to nationals in Washington, D.C.

There’s Chip Tolentino (Brandon Joel Maier), the tall Boy Scout in danger of being sunk by raging hormones. There’s the hippie-dippy homeschooled Leaf Coneybear (Jacob Caltrider), a last-minute substitute amazed to be there at all; and dedicated overachiever Marcy Parks (Cashae Monya).

Oh, and chunky William Barfee (pronounced like parfait, if you please, and played by Omri Schein), afflicted with a chronic sinus condition, who spells with his “magic foot.” And Logainne Schwarzandgrubenierre (Sarah Errington), with two braids, two dads and a heavy lisp. Last but not least is Olive Ostrovsky (Nicole Werner), with a father late for the contest and a mom off meditating in an ashram in India.

The clever writing makes it easy enough to enter this world, but to add to the suspense and general hilarity, Scheinkin also calls for a quartet of volunteer spellers from the audience.

William Finn’s music and lyrics allow the spellers to tell us a bit about themselves. Thus Leaf’s “I’m Not That Smart” explains his position in a family full of geniuses. Marcy wonders what good knowing six languages is if she can’t get a boyfriend; Chip waxes philosophical about “my unfortunate erection,” and Olive sings of “My Friend, The Dictionary.”

Most of the songs are upbeat, bouncy and accompanied by amusing dance routines created by Dave Massey. But serious points are made as well, such as Olive's heart-tugging paean to her mostly absent parents in “The I Love You Song.”

The bee takes place in the school gym – complete with a “bully-free zone” banner – where former bee winner Rona Lisa Peretti (Melinda Gilb) serves as moderator. Vice Principal Douglas Panch (Phil Johnson) stands in this year as pronouncer of the words and reader of the hilarious sample sentences (the example for “cystitis” is this: “Sally’s mother told her it was her cystitis that made her special”).

A third adult, tattooed and dreadlocked “comfort counselor” Mitch Mahoney (Robert Barry Fleming), passes out fruit juice and advice to the losers as a condition of his community service. Fleming also serves as Jesus, who shows up in a hoot of a bit, helping Marcy with an ethical question.

This is a stellar cast, and though my favorite characters are Chip and Leaf, there isn't a weak link here.

If you're like me, you wouldn't return to those middle-school days on a bet, but being a visitor at “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” is a great summer treat.

The details

“The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” plays through August 3, 2010 at North County Repertory Theatre.

Thursday through Saturday at 8 p.m.; Sunday at 1 and 7 p.m.

For tickets, call (858) 481-1055 or visit www.northcoastrep.org.