Zionsville’s community theatre is holding open auditions for “THE 25th ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE” a book musical with music and lyrics by William Finn; book by Rachel Sheinkin; conceived by Rebecca Feldman; with additional material by Jay Reiss. This production is produced through a special arrangement with Music Theatre International. Auditions will be held from 7 to 9 p.m., March 16 and 17 in the Community Room at the Zionsville Town Hall, located at 1100 West Oak St. Any necessary callbacks will take place on Tuesday, March 18. Nine adult actors (5 men and 4 women) will be cast in this production. For more information, visit the On the Web tab at youarecurrent.com.
Characters include:
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. Vocal range: C4-B5
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, he returns as a judge. There was an “incident” at the 20th Annual Bee, but Panch 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. Vocal range: N/A
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. Vocal range: A3 – A5
LOGIANNE SCHWARTZANDGRUBENIERRE, 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. Vocal range: A3 – F5
MARCY PARK, a recent transfer from Virginia, 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. She is the poster child for the Over-Achieving Child, and attends a Catholic school called “Our Lady of Intermittent Sorrows.” She is also not allowed to cry. Vocal range: C4-E5
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. Vocal range: E4-A5
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 make it to the competition. She starts enormously shy, and shyly blossoms. Vocal range: B3-F5
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. Vocal range: B3 – F5
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. Vocal range: E4-B5
Those wishing to audition should plan to attend one of the two nights of auditions. To audition for a role, actors will be asked to prepare and perform 16-32 bars of a musical number in keeping with the spirit of the show. An accompanist will be provided; please bring sheet music transposed to the correct key. Actors auditioning for a role will also be asked to read from the script.
THE 25th ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE will be directed by Lynne Manning, with musical direction by Douglas Krantz. This production will be presented in the Community Room at the Zionsville Town Hall for two weekends. Evening performances will be on May 16, 17, 23, and 24. There will also be a matinee performance on May 18. For more information visit, www.offmainstreetplayers.org. Please forward any questions regarding auditions to Lynne Manning at [email protected].
About the musical: THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE is a hilarious tale of overachievers’ angst chronicling the experience of six adolescent outsiders vying for the spelling championship of a lifetime. The show’s Tony Award winning creative team has created the unlikeliest of hit musicals about the unlikeliest of heroes: a quirky yet charming cast of outsiders for whom a spelling bee is the one place where they can stand out and fit in at the same time. Source: Music Theatre International
