FOUNTAIN HILLS YOUTH THEATER IS PROUD TO ANNOUNCE
AUDITIONS FOR THE DELIGHTFUL MUSICAL COMEDY ‘THE 25 TH ANNUAL PUTNAM
COUNTY SPELLING BEE’.
WHAT: The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
Music and Lyrics by Book by William Finn and Rachel Sheinkin
Conceived by Rebecca Feldman - Additional Material by Jay Reiss
WHEN: 5:45 pm December 10, 11, and possible call backs on the 12th , 2018
WHERE: Fountain Hills Theater
11445 N Saguaro Blvd., Fountain Hills, AZ 85268
HOW: Call to register for audition:(480)837-9661x3
PRICE: There is a $50.00 participation fee for all cast members.
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is spelled W-O-N-D-E-R-F-U-L and follows six awkward adolescents through their daunting and hilarious championship quest. As they navigate the tournament’s pressures, the eccentric coterie finds a new sense of belonging. Along the way, they learn that there is more to life than winning a trophy.
Auditioners should prepare:
- 16 bars of an upbeat song or ballad that best shows off their voice
- Bring sheet music in appropriate key or edited karaoke track in proper key
and queued to desired start
- 1-2 minute monologue
- Dress to move for dance audition
- Headshot and resume if available
- List of possible rehearsal conflicts
Auditioners should register by going to www.fhtaz.org/youth-auditions
For The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, we are casting male and female actors ages 12-19 for the following parts:
Chip Tolentino
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.
Logainne Schwartzandgrubeniere (Schwartzy)
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 will be back next year.
Leaf Coneybear
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
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. He develops a crush on Olive.
Marcy Park
The ultimate over-achiever, Marcy has never been given another option. She comes from a family where excellence is expected and so simply produced. A parochial school student, she assumes God, too, expects perfection. She sees herself as a mass of problems but she keeps them to herself. Having moved often because of her parents' work, she knows she can beat the local competition. Her many talents include piano, dance, martial arts, baton twirling, and/or whatever special gifts you can find in your casting pool.
Olive Ostrovsky
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
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.
Douglas Panch
The Vice Principle. 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.
Mitch Mahoney
The Official Comfort Counselor. 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
Schwarzy's main trainer, the more intense and competitive of Schwarzy's fathers.
Dan Dad
The more laid back and ineffectual of Schwarzy's fathers.
Jesus Christ
Deity invoked by a speller in need.
Leaf’s Mom, Dad, and Siblings
All more academically gifted than Leaf, they are even more surprised than he is by his success.
Olive's Dad
A fantasy version of Olive's dad coming to the bee from work..
Olive's Mom
A fantasy version of Olive's mom at her Ashram in India.
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is produced by Aimee Avery, directed by Ross Collins, Musical Direction by Mr. Jay Melberg.
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee will play February 15th through March 3rd, 2019. Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 7PM and Sundays at 2PM. All tickets are $12.00.
(This is the alternate lyric version of the two act show.)
Performances are at Fountain Hills Theater on its Youth Stage at 11445 N. Saguaro Blvd. (The Corner of Saguaro and Rand). Tickets are available through the Theater Box Office at (480) 837-9661 x3 and on our website
www.fhtaz.org (additional fees apply). Box Office Hours are 10:00 AM-5:00 PM Tuesday through Saturday. For additional information not contained in this press release, please call Fountain Hills Youth Theater Artistic Director, Ross Collins at (480) 837-9661 EXT. 112.
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
Music and Lyrics by Book by William Finn and Rachel Sheinkin
Conceived by Rebecca Feldman
Additional Material by Jay Reiss
Originally Directed on Broadway by James Lapine
Originally produced on Broadway by David Stone, James L. Nederlander, Barbara Whitman, Patrick CatulloBarrington Stage Company, Second Stage Theatre
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is presented through special arrangement with Musical Theater International
All authorized performance materials also provided by MTI
421 W. 54th St, New York, New York 10019
Phone 212-541-4684 Fax 212-397-4584
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