TheatreWorks New Milford Hosts Auditions For THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE 1/4, 1/5/2010 1/4, 1/5/2010

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee Monday & Tuesday, January 4 & 5 from 7 to 9 PM
Directed by Beth Bonnabeau, Musical Director Dan Koch Performances: Feb 26 - Mar 27

Major Characters

Rona Lisa Peretti
The #1 Realtor in Putnam County, a former Putnam County Spelling Bee Champ and returning moderator. She is a sweet woman who loves children but can be very stern when it comes to dealing with Principal Panch, who has feelings for her that she most likely does not return. Her favorite moment of the Bee is the minutes before it starts, when all the children are filled with the joy of competition, before they begin to resent each other.

Vice Principal Douglas Panch
After five years' absence from the Bee, Panch returns as judge. There was an "incident" at the 20th 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.

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 at some time during the bee. She made friends with her dictionary at a very young age, helping her make it to the competition.

William Barfée
A Putnam County Spelling Bee finalist last year, he was eliminated because of an allergic reaction to peanuts. His famous "Magic Foot" method of spelling has boosted him to spelling glory, even though he only has one working nostril and a touchy personality. He has an often-mispronounced last name: it is Bar-FAY, not BARF-ee ("there's an accent aigu," he explains with some hostility). He develops a crush on Olive.

Logainne Schwartzandgrubenierre
Logainne is the youngest and most politically aware speller, often making comments about current political figures, with two overbearing gay men as parents. She is a bit of a neat freak, speaks with a lisp, and will be back next year.

Marcy Park
A recent transfer from Virginia, Marcy placed 9th 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 Asian, and attends a Catholic school called "Our Lady of Intermittent Sorrows." She is also not allowed to cry.

Leaf Coneybear
The second runner-up in his district, Leaf gets into the competition on a lark: the winner and first runner-up had to go to the first runner-up's Bat Mitzvah. Leaf comes from a large family of former hippies and makes his own clothes. He spells words correctly while in a trance.

Chip Tolentino
A boy scout and champion of the 24th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, he returns to defend his title, but he finds puberty hitting at an inopportune moment.

Minor characters (the cast doubles these)

Carl Grubenierre: One of Schwartzandgrubenierre's fathers; he has set on his heart on his little girl winning the Bee, no matter what he has to do, including sabotaging William's foot. Played by the actor who plays Leaf.

Dan Schwartz: Schwartzandgrubenierre's other father; he is slightly less insane than Carl but is still intent on his daughter winning the Bee. Played by the actor who plays Mitch.

Leaf's Mom: Overprotective and doubtful of her son's abilities to stand up to the competition. Played by the actress who plays Logainne.

Leaf's Siblings: Marigold, Brooke, Pinecone, Landscape, Raisin, and Paul: Not very confident of Leaf's abilities. Played by the actors who play Olive, Marcy, Chip and the volunteer spellers.

Olive's Mom and Dad: She is in India, he is working late, but they appear in Olive's imagination to encourage her and tell her they love her. Played by the actors who play Miss Peretti and Mitch.

Jesus: Appears to Marcy in a moment of crisis. Played by the actor who plays Chip.

 

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