Elkhart Civic Theatre to Hold Auditions for THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE, 1/3 & 1/4

Elkhart Civic Theatre announced that it will be having an open call for its March production of "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee."

Open auditions for the hilarious Tony Award winning musical “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” will be held at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 411 W. Vistula Street, Bristol, IN 46507 (about 4 blocks west of the Bristol Opera House) on Tuesday, January 3, 2012 at 7:00 P.M. and on Wednesday, January 4, 2012 at 7:00 P.M.

In Spelling Bee, Six young people in the throes of puberty, overseen by grown-ups who barely managed to escape childhood themselves, learn that winning isn't everything and that losing doesn't necessarily make you a loser. 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.

A cast of 5 men and 4 women is needed, age range is 18 and older. All roles are played by adults.

Roles include:

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

Douglas Panch (judge) - The Vice Principle. 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. While this role does not have a solo song, the character sings in full company numbers. (Baritone)

Leaf Coneybear (speller) – 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 winner’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. (Baritone or Tenor)

Logainne Schwartzandgrunenierre (Schwartzy) (speller) - Logainne is the youngest and most politically aware speller, often making comments about current political figures, with two overbearing homosexual fathers. She is somewhat of a neat freak and speaks with a lisp. (Soprano)

Marcy Park (speller) - A recent transfer from Virginia, Marcy 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, and is getting very tired of always winning. (Soprano/Mezzo-Soprano)

Mitch Mahoney (comfort counselor) - The Official Comfort Counselor. An ex-convict, Mitch is performing his community service with the Bee, and hands out juice boxes to losing students. (Tenor)

Olive Ostrovsky (speller) - 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. She made friends with her dictionary at a very young age, helping her to make it to the competition. (Soprano)

Rona Lisa Peretti (moderator) - The number-one realtor in Putnam County, a former Putnam County Spelling Bee Champion herself, and 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, who has feelings for her that she most likely does not return. (Soprano)

William Barfee (speller) - 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 develops a crush on Olive. (Tenor)

Auditioners are asked to arrive a little early to facilitate filling out the audition form prior to the start of the auditions. Auditions will consist of learning a portion of a song, learning a simple dance routine, and cold readings from the script. All roles are available. Casting is open, and newcomers are welcome and encouraged. Please bring with you a complete list of all previously scheduled conflicts starting with Sunday, January 8, 2012 through the final performance date of Saturday, March 31, 2012.

This musical comedy is being directed by Penny Meyers and assisted by Annette Kaczanowski. Rounding out the production team is vocal direction by Kim Dooley, music direction by Mark Swendsen, and choreography by Joy Freude. Scripts are available at the Theatre for a 72 hour check out period up to one week before auditions. During the week prior to auditions you may read the script at the Theatre by making an appointment with the office. Call (574) 848-5853 during normal business hours and arrange a time.

Performance dates for “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” are March 16, 17, 23, 24, 25, 30, 31, 2012 with Y-Night on March 15th and private performances on March 22 and March 28. All performances will be in Elkhart Civic Theatre’s home theatre, the historic Bristol Opera House, 210 E. Vistula (SR 120), Bristol, IN 46507.

For more information visit http://www.elkhartcivictheatre.org/.

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