Produced by Special Arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI)
Author Rachel Sheinkin
Music and Lyrics by William Finn
Director - Ginny Grady
Producer - Devery Holmes
Music Director - Susan Treworgy Calkins
Choreographer - Miriam Durrie-Kirsch
Audition Dates & Times:
January 26, 27 & 28, 2020 - 7pm
Audition Location:
Conejo Players Theatre
351 S. Moorpark Rd.
Thousand Oaks, CA. 91361
Performance Dates:
The show opens April 10th and closes April 19th. Fridays & Saturdays at 8pm, Thursday, 4/16 at 8pm, Saturdays & Sundays at 2pm (No Performance on April 12 - Easter.)
Audition Requirements:
You do not need an appointment. Please show up at 7pm on January 26, 27 or 28. You will be asked to sing, read, dance, and do Improv. Please prepare 16-32 bars of a song. You are welcome to sing from the show if you wish. Please bring either a flash drive with accompaniment, CD or sheet music that is clearly marked and ready for the accompanist to play. Your song must be from a Broadway musical. Please wear or change into clothes/shoes that are comfortable to dance in.
Rehearsal Schedule:
All rehearsals for Spelling Bee are in the evenings on Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays starting Feb 9th, with some additional Tuesdays in March. We will have a calendar at the audition.
Plot Summary:
An eclectic group of sixth-graders arrives at the 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, each eager to win for very different reasons. Sweet and shy Olive brings her only friend (the dictionary) with her to the bee. Bold and hyper-allergic speller William Barfee uses his “magic foot” to propel him to greatness. Former champion Chip is struggling with his burgeoning puberty. Easily distracted Leaf is unconvinced that he’s smart enough to be a challenger. Overachiever Marcy is disappointed by her consistent success. Overly enthusiastic Logainne Schwartzandgrubenierre only wants to impress her gay dads. In the hilarious, touching and catchy songs, each speller reveals his/her hopes, struggles and passions as they make their way through the competition. Six spellers enter; one speller leaves! At least the losers get a juice box.
For More Information:
Devery@sparkam.com or 818-439-1420
Character Breakdown:
• OLIVE OSTROVSKY Mezzo Soprano/Belt F5 to B3
Olive is left to her own devices at the Bee by her absent parents. She is shy but hopeful. A sweet girl who longs to be loved or at least noticed by her parents. Her best friend is the dictionary.
• CHIP TOLENTINO Tenor B4 to C3
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 distracted by girls.
• WILLIAM BARFEE Tenor B4 to E2
A finalist in last year’s Bee, he spells his words on the floor using his Magic Foot. He has all sorts of ailments. He is blunt, rude and not out to make any friends at this Bee.
• LOGAINNE SCWARTZANDGRUBENIERRE Mezzo Soprano/Belt F5 to A3
Logaine is the youngest and most outspoken speller, often making comments about current political figures and her mature world views. She has two overbearing gay dads whose influence has turned her neurotic and self-conscious. She speaks with a lisp, though she has a real confidence about her at times.
• LEAF CONEYBEAR Tenor A4 to A2
As the second runner-up in his district’s bee, he really should not be competing here. He and his siblings are homeschooled by his hippie parents. He makes his own clothes and is a free spirit and gets lost in his imaginary world! He is strange but very sweet.
• MARCY PARK Mezzo Soprano E5 to middle C
Marcy is the practiced competitor in the bee. She made it all the way to ninth place in the National Bee last year. Marcy excels at everything because she is so talented and gifted. She sleeps three hours a night, speaks six languages and is not allowed to cry.
• Character Breakdown for the ADULTS:
• RONA LISA PERETTI/ OLIVE'S MOM (To play 30-45) Mezzo Soprano F5 to B3
• Former Spelling Bee Champ now the County’s top realtor. The Bee holds a special place in her heart. It was a high point of her childhood. Thats why she is in charge of running it every year. Note: This character requires an actor with comic/improv skills.
• MITCH MAHONEY (To play 28-35) Tenor A4 to E3
This former felon is fulfilling court ordered community service at the Bee as the Comfort Counselor by handing out juice boxes and a dose of reality to the losers. He has no idea how to offer comfort, but does find himself wishing he could find a way to make the kids feel better.
• DOUGLAS PANCH (To play 35-50) Non-singing role
Vice Principal and last-minute pinch hitter for the Bee. Infatuated with Rona.
Prepare: A comic monologue and must be ready to do improv.
Note: This character requires an actor with comic/improv skills who can carry a tune. May audition with a monologue but be prepared to sing if asked.
• CARL-DAD: Logainne’s main trainer, the more intense and competitive of Logainne’s fathers.
• DAN-DAD: The more laid back and ineffectual of Logainne’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.
Videos
