Farmington Players' 'SPELLING BEE' to Run 12/4-20

[laf-ter, lahf-]: L-A-U-G-H-T-E-R. Laughter. An expression or appearance of merriment or amusement you will experience when you come to see The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (presented in One Act) at The Farmington Players Barn. Six awkward spelling champions compete for the top prize only to learn there is more to life than winning or losing the contest. The show opens Friday December 4th and runs through Sunday, December 20th. In the spirit of Opening Night, the pre-show party will include a middle school cafeteria theme. Reserved seats for evening and matinee performances are available now at 248-553-2955 or online at www.farmingtonplayers.org

HILARIOUS HIT MUSICAL

Barn veteran Amy Lauter of Farmington Hills directs the warm and funny hit musical that includes two separate casts: adults and two teens for the evening and Sunday performances (PG 13: for some adult language and content), and a mixed cast of adults and kids for matinee performances (PG: slightly modified, parental guidance suggested). Lauter thought it would benefit the adult actors to work closely with the young cast members who are closer to the ages of the characters. She certainly enjoys watching both generations learn from and "inspire" each other. "It seems to be working well, as my adult cast has embodied some of those middle school behaviors perfectly," says Lauter.

CELEBRITY GUEST SPELLERS

Some of the best comedy in SPELLING BEE comes from the audience participation in which patrons are dragged on stage to spell words, serving up fresh bits of fun with each performance. The Farmington Players tapped several "local celebrities" to portray some these "guest spellers" on various dates beginning Opening Night December 4th with Greg Bowman and Brooke Allen of WWJ radio.

The guest list also includes: Steve Koponen a teacher at Dunckel Middle School in Farmington Hills (Dec. 5th 2pm); Roger Weber a retired WDIV reporter

(Dec. 11th at 8pm); Farmington Hills Mayor Ken Massey (Dec. 12th 2pm); and Roop Raj of FOX2 TV (Dec. 18th at 8pm); Detroit radio personality Allyson Martinek (formerly of Blaine & Allyson on 96.3) will also serve as a guest speller (Dec. 12th 8pm) and (Dec. 19th 2pm); Paul Gross, Meterologist for WDIV will also participate (Dec. 19 at 2pm).

SENSATIONAL SONGS & QUIRKY CHARACTERS

"Spelling Bee" (Music and Lyrics by William Finn; Book by Rachel Sheinkin) opened on Broadway in 2005, earning 6 Tony nominations and winning two (including "Best Book"). The entertaining score conducted by Martin Mandelbaum of Oak Park contains a list of sensational songs that will stick in your head, including, My favorite moment of the bee, I'm not that smart, and Magic Foot. The tunes are complemented by choreography created by Allison Boufford of Livonia.

The show focuses on a quirky group of six middle-schoolers (overseen by grown-ups who barely managed to escape childhood themselves) fighting for the spelling championship. While candidly disclosing humorous and touching stories from their home lives, the tweens spell their way through a series of (potentially made-up) words hoping to never hear the soul- crushing, "ding" of the bell that signals a spelling mistake.

TAKE TIME TO "SPELL" THE ROSES

Six spellers compete; only one survives. At least the losers get a juice box. But the real winners are the audience members who director Lauter believes are in for a real treat. "My hope is that each of you will find yourself (or your former self) in at least one of these well-crafted characters and go home feeling a bit nostalgic about your pre-teen years," says Lauter.

The show is so much more than simply fun and games, as the spellers take their mission quite seriously, supported by some raw themes that offer humorous social commentary. "Spelling Bee" targets bullying, marriage equality, gender discrimination and of course parents, both the "absentee" and "helicopter" types. In doing so, the musical pokes fun at overachievers and whimsically illuminates the need to slow down, to take time to "spell the roses" (if you will) so we can examine our own road to success and the things that really matter in life. In this production, audiences will see how winning and losing are merely potholes, along that hilarious journey.

[Huh-lare-ee-us] H-I-L-A-R-I-O-U-S. Hilarious. A rib-tickling sensation felt by anyone in the audience of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, at the Farmington Players Barn.

Tickets are available at farmingtonplayers.org and also at the box office (248) 553-2955.

Reserved seats for The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee are available now at www.farmingtonplayers.org or by calling the box office at 248-553-2955.

SHOW DATES & TIMES

Friday, December 4th -8pm

Saturday, December 5th -2pm (P.G. Matinee - Kid Cast)

Saturday, December 5th -8pm

Sunday, December 6th -2pm

Friday, December 11th -8pm

Saturday, December 12th -2pm (P.G. Matinee - Kid Cast)

Saturday, December 12th -8pm

Sunday, December 13th -2pm

Friday, December 18th -8pm

Saturday, December 19th -2pm (P.G. Matinee - Kid Cast)

Saturday, December 19th -8pm

Sunday, December 20th -2pm

TICKETS

Reserved Seats are available at both www.farmingtonplayers.org and the box office at 248-553-2955. You can also send an email to boxoffice@farmingtonplayers.org

• Adults: $20

• Students: $18

• New Senior Pricing: $18 - ($2 off any performance and Seniors Must be 62+).

• Group Discount: $ ($2 off adult price on any show with a group of ten or more people.)

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