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The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee show poster

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee at J-DAPA Studio

Dates: 4/4/2025 - 4/12/2025

Theatre:

J-DAPA Studio

J-DAPA

5 Enterprise Ln #5A
Smithfield,RI 02917

Phone: (401) 349-5696


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Grab a D-I-C-T-I-O-N-A-R-Y and get ready for the Bee! This heartfelt, award-winning musical follows a group of unique and impassioned adolescents as they compete for a regional spelling bee championship. While candidly disclosing hilarious and touching stories from their home lives, the tweens spell their way through a series of words, hoping never to hear the soul-crushing “ding” of the bell that signals a mistake. Six spellers enter; one speller leaves a champion! At least the losers get a juice box.

Featuring a thrilling score by William Finn and a Tony-Award winning book by Rachel Sheinkin, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is a joyful night of comedy and quirk that celebrates the pursuit of victory and the gift of being true to oneself.

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.mtishows.com.


Ages: 13+ for mild language and adult content.

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee at J-DAPA Studio Schedule

April 4, 5, 11 & 12 @ 6:30 PM; April 5 & 12 @ 2:00 PM

Cast and Creative team for The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee at J-DAPA Studio

Cast

Jeff Anderson (he/him)

Vice Principal Panch
As Massachusetts transplant, this is Jeff’s 2nd J-Dapa production. He would like to thank his wife Maggie , his daughter Lettie, and of course Julie Andrews. "I love Spaghetti!"


Matt Eisemann (he/him/his)

Chip Tolentino
Matt is thrilled to be playing one of his longtime dream roles! He is often working behind the scenes at J-DAPA, but is thrilled to be getting back onstage in his first musical with us since 2019! Favorite past roles include Judge Turpin in Sweeney Todd, Lefou in Beauty and the Beast, and Dennis in The One-Act Play That Goes Wrong! "Much love to the entire cast - you have made this show truly unforgettable!"


Viviana Fernandez (she/her)

Marcy Park
Viviana is so exited to be playing the role of Marcy Park! She has been performing ever since she was 2. Her favorite roles include Kaylee (The Prom), Mayzie La Bird(Sussical jr), and Elle Woods (Legally Blonde jr). She has just made her WWHS players debut in Mamma Mia. Vivi would like to thank her parents and grandparents and her older sister, Ava, and all her family and friends for their constant love and support!


Milo Fugere (he/they)

Leaf Coneybear (April 4 & 5 Evening, April 12 Matinee)
This is Milo Fugere’s first show at J-DAPA. He has done multiple shows throughout his theater career including Great Comet (ensemble) and Mean Girls(ensemble). He’d like to thank his cast and crew for creating such a wonderful experience. He’d also like to thank his parents for being so supportive.


Zander LaMarche (he/him)

Leaf Coneybear (April 5 matinee, April 11 & 12 evening)
Zander LaMarche is thrilled to be a part of this show! He has been involved in several theater productions, including Honk! Jr., Willy Wonka, Crazy for You, Gypsy, Kiss Me, Kate, and most recently took on the role of Uncle Fester in The Addams Family. Outside of theater, Zander stays busy playing volleyball, performing in band, and playing piano. He would like to thank his mom, dad, brother, family, and his fellow castmates for their constant support and encouragement. Enjoy the show!


Sergio Raposo (he/him)

Mitch Mahoney
Sergio is excited to be doing such a wacky show with such a small loving cast! Outside of theater he loves to line dance, watch movies (specifically horror), and sing karaoke! Some of his favorite past roles include: Dodgy/Duchess (Alice by Heart), Barry (The Prom), Trent (The Prom), Luke (The Lightning Thief), and Uncle Fester (The Addams Family). "Thank you to everyone I ever met doing theater. We all do it for the audience, but I just as equally do it for my show fam!"


Serena Roy (she/her)

Rona Lisa Peretti
Serena is beyond excited to be playing Rona! She is one of our acting teachers and has been involved in many J-DAPA productions, most recently The Bugs (Stage Manager), Radiant Vermin (Miss Dee/Kay) and School of Rock (Rosalie). Serena is also ecstatic to be co-directing our upcoming summer production of Puffs with Matt Eisemann! "Thank you to everyone at J-DAPA for always making the studio feel like a second home! <3"


Tommy Sabetta (he/him)

William Barfée
After a 7-year hiatus from the stage, Tommy Sabetta is thrilled to be back performing and especially as William Barfée. During his time away, he worked at Walt Disney World and Universal Studios in Florida, but now he is excited to return to his theatrical roots. Favorite past roles include Donkey in Shrek, Warner in Legally Blonde, Otto in Spring Awakening, and Eddie Souther in Sister Act. "Thank you J-DAPA for helping me rediscover my love for performing, and to my family and friends for encouraging me to return to the stage!"


Avery Santo (she/her)

Logainne Schwartzandgrubenierre
Avery is a freshman at WWHS and has been in a handful of musical productions before, including Frozen Jr. (Young Elsa), Matilda (Lavender), Seussical Jr. (Gertrude), Legally Blonde Jr. (Paulette) and Mamma Mia (Ensemble). She enjoys playing in orchestra and jazz band. She would like to thank her older sister Cady, the rest of her family, and her best friends Vivi and Vanthana for always showing her support.


Cady Santo (she/her)

Olive Ostrovsky
Cady is a junior at West Warwick High School and has been seen in many of their shows, such as Mean Girls (Janis), Hadestown (Fate 1), Mamma Mia, and Frozen. At J-DAPA, she has previously been seen in roles such as Miss Honey in Matilda and Young Fiona in Shrek. She is the Tri-M Music Honors Society Band Vice President at her school, and participates in musical ensembles outside of school, such as the Rhode Island Philharmonic Youth Orchestra where she plays oboe. Cady is thrilled to be apart of this amazingly talented and loving cast!


Creative Team

Danielle Grilli-Marzan

Music Director
Danielle is a Rhode Island native and graduate of the University of Rhode Island where she obtained her Master of Music Degree in Vocal Performance. Danielle has performed full operatic roles such as Josephine in HMS Pinafore, Rosalinda in Die Fledermaus, Gianetta in The Gondoliers, and The First Lady in The Magic Flute and has performed many operatic scenes with roles such as Adina in L’Elisir d’Amore, Fiordiligi in Cosi Fan Tutte, Susanna in Le Nozze di Figaro, and Marie in Daughter of the Regiment. She has performed with the Warwick Symphony Orchestra as the soprano soloist in the Schubert’s Magnificat and Handel’s Messiah. She has also performed as the soprano soloist for Faure’s Requiem, Mozart’s Coronation Mass and Sparrow Mass, PDQ Bach’s The Seasonings and Rutter’s Magnificat in various choirs. When Danielle is not on stage, she is music director for both J-DAPA and Arts Alive’s musical theater programs. She also teaches group voice classes and private voice lessons through J-DAPA.


Brieanna Pariseau

Director, Choreographer
Brieanna has been a choreographer for the past 17 years and teaches dance at J-DAPA. She teaches multiple classes a week and has experience teaching many styles of dancing including ballet, lyrical, tap, jazz, acro and theatrical dance. Her students range from the ages of 4 through adulthood, as she teaches many different levels of dance. Brieanna has choreographed numbers from each musical J-DAPA has produced since its opening over 11 years ago.


Amanda Santo

Music Director
Amanda oversees the choral program at Cumberland High School where her teaching responsibilities include the Concert Chorus, Clef Singers, Women’s Chorus, Piano, Music Theory, and Unified Music. She has also served on the faculty of the Community College of Rhode Island and the Music School of the Rhode Island Philharmonic. Ms. Santo holds a B.M. in Music Education from Rhode Island College here she was a recipient of the coveted Riva V. Bicho Memorial Scholarship, and upon graduation, was honored as the Outstanding Music Graduate of her class. She earned her M.M. from the Hartt School of Music, and has a certificate in Vocal Performance from the University of Connecticut. She is a frequent adjudicator and choral festival manager, as well as a member of NAfMA, ACDA, RINATS and a member of the Executive Board of RIMEA.


Donna Tellier

Director, Costumes
Donna is “young at heart forever!” and attended the “School of Life”. She has been a choreographer for 38 years and a director since the beginning of J-DAPA! Donna enjoys directing musicals of all different styles and getting the opportunity to work with both children and adults. Donna enjoyed directing this show and getting to share her vision with all of you!


Adam Brunetti & Adam Ramsey

Lighting Design


Matt Eisemann

Assistant Lighting Design


Ashley DiLorenzo

Lighting Operator


Matt Ancone, Aubrey Guglielmo, Eric Sturtevant, Donna Tellier, Ron Tellier

Scenic Design & Construction


Kimberly Nardone, Gabby Pascale, Anthony Sayles

Production Audio


Aubrey Guglielmo

Logo & Program Design


Matt Eisemann, Milo Fugere, Zander LaMarche, Brieanna Pariseau

Marketing & Photography


DJ Carnevale, Gio Gauthier

Crew




J-DAPA Studio Frequently Asked Questions FAQ

J-DAPA is at 5 Enterprise Ln #5A, Smithfield, RI.

J-DAPA Studio is at 5 Enterprise Ln #5A, Smithfield, RI.

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