Audition Notice
The Farmington Players Presents
THE 25th ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE
Music and Lyrics by William Finn; Book by Rachel Sheinkin
Conceived by Rebecca Feldman; Additional Material by Jay Reiss
Six awkward spelling champions learn that winning (and losing) isn't everything!
An eclectic group of six mid-pubescents (overseen by grown-ups who barely managed to escape childhood themselves) 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 to never hear the soul- crushing, pout-inducing, life-unaffirming ding of the bell that signals a spelling mistake. Six spellers enter; one speller leaves! At least the losers get a juice box.
Director: Amy Lauter Music Director: Dianne Cragg Producer: Bonnie Fitch
Asst. Director/Stage Manager: Keshia Daisy Oliver Choreographer: Allison Boufford
Individuals cast in the production are required to become members of the Farmington Players. For further information on becoming a member of the Farmington Players, please visit our website @ www.FarmingtonPlayers.org. Questions related to Spelling Bee can be emailed to
SpellingBee@farmingtonplayers.org.
Available Roles Listed Below. Additional details about each role are further in the notice.
The Grown-Ups
Mitch Mahoney : Adults only – 20+
Vice Principal Douglas Panch : Adults only – 30-60 range
Rona Lisa Peretti : Adults only – 30-60 range
The Spellers
William Morris Barfée : Main Cast – ages 16+; Youth Cast ages 12-16
Olive Ostrovsky : Main Cast – ages 16+; Youth Cast ages 12-16
Leaf Coneybear : Main Cast – ages 16+; Youth Cast ages 12-16
Marcy Park : Main Cast – ages 16+; Youth Cast ages 12-16
Logaine Schwarzy SchwartzandGrubenniere : Main Cast – ages 16+; Youth Cast ages 12-16
Charlito Chip Tolentino : Main Cast – ages 16+; Youth Cast ages 12-16
PERFORMANCE DATES: December 4, 5, 6, 11, 12, 13, 18, 19, 20
The 3 Grown-Ups will perform in all 12 performances (Fridays at 8pm, Saturdays at 2pm AND 8pm and Sundays at 2pm)
The Main Cast Spellers will perform in 9 performances (Fridays at 8pm, Saturdays at 8pm and Sundays at 2pm)
The Youth Cast Spellers will perform in 3 performances (Saturdays at 2pm)
As listed above, we will have a secondary cast of youth performers as the six spellers, giving them a chance to inspire and be inspired by the main (adult) speller cast. We look forward to having the adults act as mentors while also gaining insight and energy from their youth counterparts! Those playing grown-ups in the show (Rona Lisa Peretti, Vice Principal Douglas Panch, Mitch Mahoney) will remain the same for all performances, and must be comfortable working with both casts.
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee contains some adult themes and language, some of which will be altered for youth performances.
Note: This show also involves audience participation, inviting non-cast members on stage as spellers! F-U-N!
Audition Dates and Times:
YOUTH (Ages 12-16) Auditions: Wednesday August 19, 2015 Registration @6:30pm, 7pm start
ADULT (Ages 16+) Auditions: Thursday August 20, 2015 Registration @6:30pm, 7pm start
CALLBACKS: Sunday August 23, 2015 @6:30pm
REHEARSALS will begin the week of September 14, 2015
Rehearsals will generally be 3 nights per week with some Saturday and Sunday rehearsals. We will work out a firm rehearsal schedule once we have a final cast and understand their conflicts.
Please be prepared to list ALL conflicts on your audition form, as we will use this to make the final schedule.
MANDATORY DATES:
All performance dates as listed above.
Hold November 23, 24, 25, (off Thanksgiving).
Hold November 27, 28, 29, 30, December 1, 2, 3
Because this show falls with final rehearsal times running during/after Thanksgiving we have not yet set the final tech schedule. If auditioning please know you will be asked to rehearse this week/weekend and don’t make any out of town plans.
Audition Process:
Singing
You will be asked to sing a short excerpt from one of the songs from Spelling Bee. You may choose from any of the excerpts listed at the end of this notice. If you are interested in playing one particular character, however, please sing the excerpt listed for that character. Please note that you will be singing with provided piano accompaniment. You will not be permitted to sing acapella. Because this is an incredibly challenging score, requiring strong singers, your singing audition is the most important aspect of the audition (except for Panch).
Dancing
Our choreographer, Allison Boufford, will teach a short dance combination, allowing some time to practice before auditioning in small dance groups. While not a heavy dancing show, we are looking for actors who can embody their character in their movements. We may also do some improvisational activities as well.
Reading
We will ask you to read one of the four short monologues from the show. These monologues are provided at the end of this notice, and will also be available each night of auditions, although we do ask for you to be as prepared as possible. You may also prepare a piece similar in nature to the ones provided. Those auditioning for Vice Principal Panch may be asked to improvise.
CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS
This is the epitome of the ensemble show. Each actor has an important and sizable role, having key moments to shine, including at least one song. All actors must be able to sing and harmonize, though the actor playing Panch does not need a strong voice.
THE SPELLERS
William Barfée - Eb3 - Bb4 Tenor
A finalist in last year's Bee, he spells using his magic foot and has no interest in making friends at the bee. This role requires a strong character actor with impeccable comic timing and the ability to create his own character. The character does not necessarily need to be overweight (as you usually see it) and is not specific to ethnicity or race. He must have a strong tenor voice, though, and be an above average dancer.
Olive Ostrovsky - B3 - F5 Soprano
The heart of the show, Olive is basically deserted at the bee. Her mom is in an ashram in India and her dad never shows up, even after promising that, this time, he'll try to make it. Her best friend is a dictionary. This role requires an actress whom despite her meek appearance, has an incredibly strong mezzo voice and belt. No racial or ethnic requirements.
Leaf Coneybear - A2 - G4 Baritone or Tenor
As just the second runner up in his district's bee, he really shouldn't be competing here. He makes his own clothes, is home schooled with his hippy parents and siblings, and lacks social skills. He's strange but very sweet, loving and kindhearted, but distracted. This role allows a ton of personal interpretation and requires physical comedy (i.e. falls). This role, which is not specific to race, also includes playing Logaine's first father, Carl.
Marcy Park - B3 - E5 Sopranno/Mezzo-Soprano
Marcy is the most feared and practiced competitor in the bee. She made it all the way to ninth place in Nationals last year and is back to win again. She sleeps three hours a night, speaks six languages, and does not recognize her own lack of humor. She is incredibly intense. While typically an actress of Asian origin, we are open to all interpretations/ethnicities with unique talents (i.e. playing piano, twirling batons, juggling, gymnastics).
Logaine Schwartzandgrubenierre - C4 - D5 Soprano
Logaine is the youngest and most politically-aware speller, often making comments about current political figures and her mature world views. She has two overbearing gay dads who have turned her neurotic and self-conscious. She speaks with a lisp, though has a real confidence about her at times. There are no ethnic or racial requirements for this role.
Chip Tolentino - C3 - B4 Tenor
Last year's Putnam County champ who begins to learn the ups and downs of puberty during the bee. He is strong willed, competitive, ambitious, and - most of all - very horny. This role has some of the most difficult singing in the show and requires long sustained high notes. There are no ethnic or racial requirements for this role. This actor also plays Jesus in the dream sequence.
THE GROWN-UPS
Mitch Mahoney - E3 - A4 (B4) Tenor
This former felon is fulfilling his court ordered community service at the bee and acting as the bee's comfort counselor, handing out juice boxes and a dose of reality to the losers. He comes across as scary and tough but is really a big softy deep down. We would prefer an African American actor, although the role can be changed around to fit actors of other races. He also plays Logaine's second father, Dan, as well as Olive's dad.
Vice Principal Douglas Panch - Non-singing (but can be added to ensemble numbers if actor can sing).
He was involved in an incident at the 20th Annual Bee that got him removed from the judging panel. He returns this year in a better place, thanks to a high-fiber diet and Jungian analysis. He is infatuated with Rona Lisa Peretti. We are looking for a strong character actor with impeccable comedic timing and the ability to improv. While he does not need to sing, he is a key role and keeps the pace moving throughout the show.
Rona Lisa Peretti - C4 - A5 Soprano
This former Spelling Bee champ is not only the county's top realtor, she also runs a highly lucrative eBay business, selling sensible pumps at sensible prices. She is incredibly kind to the spellers, having been in their shoes many years earlier. Should appear to be in her mid-30's - mid-50's and have both a high belt and improv skills. Along with Panch, she guides the comedy of the show and the audience volunteers. Rona also portrays Olive's mom.
VOCAL AUDITION CUTS
William Barfee
Magic Foot
Beginning - Measure 33 (It's an alpha-better way to spell)
Olive Ostrovsky
The I Love You Song
Measure 108 (When are you returning) - Measure 138 (Wish you were home)
Leaf Coneybear
I'm Not That Smart
Measure 50 (I might be smart) - End
Marcy Park
I Speak Six Languages
Measure 18 (To excel in athletics) - Measure 52 (Though I play Mozart more)
Logaine Schwartzandgrubenierre
Woe is Me
Measure 18 (I hope you can love, America) - Measure 63 (why I gotta win this spelling bee)
Chip Tolentino
Chip's Lament/My Unfortunate Erection
Measure 45 (My unfortunate protuberance) - Measure 84 (Is ruining my life)
Mitch Mahoney
Prayer of the Comfort Counselor
Beginning - Measure 27 (Spell with patience and care)
Rona Lisa Peretti
The I Love You Song
Measure 42 (We always knew, we always knew) - Measure 74 (I Love You)
Vice Principal Douglas Panch
While this is a non-singing role, if you can sing we want to hear what capabilities each actor has. Please sing any of the suggested portions for Barfee, Leaf, Mitch, or Chip.
MONOLOGUES FOR ACTING AUDITIONS
(Please select one and read as the character you prefer - even if the monologue is not necessarily from that role. You may also prepare a similar piece not listed if you prefer)
You can't comfort these damn kids. They don't yet know that the good don't always win, so there's nothing you can say to cheer them up when they lose. I want to tell them disappointment doesn't last - but from what I've seen, words can get you killed. I just want to beat them up a little, so they understand that pain has degrees, and this is nothing - this is nothing, you little freaks. But that would violate my parole. So I do what I can. I give them a hug and a juice box. I'm here to give comfort.
This bee is as confusing as George Bush seeing Brokeback Mountain. Thursday night is movie night in my house, and this past Thursday my dads and I went to go see a special screening of Brokeback Mountain. My one dad said he couldn't see cowboys without thinking of George Bush, and then my other dad said he couldn't see gay cowboys without thinking of Karl Rove and George Bush. And then the man behind us said, yes, and isn't it nice to see them screwing each other for a change! We laughed..
This bee is nose-diving faster than Star Jones' career!! Star Jones' resignation from The View sent shockwaves through the Schwartzandgrubenierre household, until we realized my one dad - Dan Dad I call him - would be a perfect replacement. They both lost a lot of weight doing Pilates, they both have issues with Rosie O'Donnell, and they both married gay men! So Barbara, consider this - my Dan Dad would be an asset to your show, and as my other Dad says, he's more of a big black queen than Star Jones will ever be!!
This bee is about as shocking as Lance Bass coming out of the closet! Former N'Sync member Lance Bass literally rocked the nation earlier a few years ago when he proudly came out of the closet - though as my dads pointed out, the highlighted hair tips have always been a little bit of a dead giveaway. Anyway, I applaud Lance for taking a stand and essentially bein' the anti-Bush poster boy - he's openly gay, he's dating someone with a very foreign name and he wrote the song that I want to sing to President Bush when he finally leaves office - I wanna see you out that door - baby, bye bye bye!!!
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