The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
Presented through special arrangement with: Music Theatre International
Directed by: Sahai Lara
Produced by: Dana Marley-Kolb
Audition Dates & Times: May 1, 2 & 3, 2022 (Sunday, Monday & Tuesday) at 7:30pm
Location: Conejo Players Theatre, 351 S. Moorpark Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91361
Performances: July 8 - 17, 2022 Friday & Saturday at 8 p.m. Saturday & Sunday at 2 p.m.
Audition Requirements: *NOTE: THIS SHOW IS PG-13 FOR LANGUAGE, AUDITIONS WILL BE 18+
Please prepare one 16-bar cut of a contemporary musical theatre song in the style of the show (NO SONGS FROM THE SHOW). Please also bring a music device with an accompaniment-only track, along with any cables needed for your device to connect to the speaker. We will also have short readings from the script, sides will be provided on conejoplayers.org. Please (if you have one) bring a headshot and resume.
No conflicts will be accepted after June 18th. Non-union, NO PAY. You will be required to show your proof of COVID-19 vaccination if you are cast.
For more information: Contact Dana Marley-Kolb at deekayred@aol.com
Show Synopsis:
An eclectic group of six mid-pubescents vie for the spelling championship of a lifetime. While candidly disclosing hilarious and touching stories from their home lives, the tweens spell their way through a series of (potentially made-up) words, hoping never to hear the soul-crushing, pout-inducing, life un-affirming ding of the bell that signals a spelling mistake. Six spellers enter: one speller leaves! At least the losers get a juice box.
Character Descriptions:
Chip Tolentino - Tenor to B (Vocal Range C4-B5) An athletic, social, boy scout and champion of the Twenty-Fourth Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, he returns to defend his title, but he finds puberty hitting at an inopportune moment. Also plays Jesus Christ.
Logainne Schwartzandgrunenierre (Schwartzy) - Alto G to Eb (Vocal Range A3-F5) Logainne is the youngest and most politically aware speller, often making comments about current political figures. She is driven by internal and external pressure, but above all by a desire to win to make her two fathers proud. She is somewhat of a neat freak, speaks with a lisp, and is ready to take it all.
Leaf Coneybear - Baritone to G (Vocal Range A3-A5) The second runner-up in his district, Leaf gets into the competition on a lark and finds everything about the bee incredibly amusing. He is home-schooled and comes from a large family of former hippies. He has severe Attention Deficit Disorder and spells words correctly while in a trance.
William Barfee - Tenor to Bb (Vocal Range E4-B5) A Putnam County Spelling Bee finalist last year, he was eliminated because of an allergic reaction to peanuts and is back for vindication. His famous ''Magic Foot'' method of spelling has boosted him to spelling glory, even though he only has one working nostril and a touchy, bullying personality.
Marcy Park - Mezzo to Eb (Vocal Range C4-E5) A recent transfer from Virginia, Marcy placed ninth in last year's nationals. She speaks six languages, is a member of all-American hockey, a championship rugby player, plays Chopin and Mozart on multiple instruments, sleeps only three hours a night, hides in the bathroom cabinet, and is getting very tired of always winning.
Olive Ostrovsky - Mezzo A to high G (Vocal Range B3-F5) A young newcomer to competitive spelling. Her mother is in an ashram in India, and her father is working late, as usual, but he is trying to come sometime during the bee. Having found comfort in its words and vastness, Olive made friends with her dictionary at a very young age, helping her to make it to the competition. She starts enormously shy, and shyly blossoms.
Rona Lisa Peretti - Mezzo up to A (Vocal Range B3-F5) The number-one realtor in Putnam County, a former Putnam County Spelling Bee Champion herself, and the returning moderator. She is a sweet woman who loves children, but she can be very stern when it comes to dealing with Vice Principal Panch and his feelings for her. Her interest in the competition is unflagging and drives it forward. Strong improv skills are a plus.
Douglas Panch, The Vice Principal, frustrated with his life, he finds the drive of the young spellers alien to him. After five years' absence from the Bee, Panch returns as judge. There was an incident at the Twentieth Annual Bee, but he claims to be in a better place now, thanks to a high-fiber diet and Jungian analysis. He is infatuated with Rona Lisa Peretti, but she does not return his affections. Strong improv skills are a plus.
Mitch Mahoney, The Official Comfort Counselor - Baritone to A (Vocal Range E4-A5) An ex-convict, Mitch is performing his community service with the Bee, and hands out juice boxes to losing students. He has no idea how to offer comfort but does find himself wishing he could find a way to make the kids feel better.
Carl Dad - (G3 - D5) Schwarzy's main trainer, the more intense and competitive of Schwarzy's fathers. Normally played by the actor playing Leaf.
Dan Dad - (G3 - D5) The more laid back and ineffectual of Schwarzy's fathers. Normally played by the actor playing Mitch.
Olive's Dad - (E4 - B5) A fantasy version of Olive's dad coming to the bee from work. Normally played by the actor playing Mitch.
Olive's Mom - (D4 - E5) A fantasy version of Olive's mom at her Ashram in India. Normally played by the actor playing Rona.
Leaf's Mom, Dad and Siblings - All more academically gifted than Leaf, they are even more surprised than he is by his success. Normally played by the spellers and audience volunteers as indicated in the script.
As stated in our Anti-Discrimination Policy, our theatre is welcoming to ALL, including members of every race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, public assistance status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, family relationship, socio-economic status, or any other protected status.
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