Spotlight to perform first Broadway musical this Spring; open auditions in January
The Spotlight Core Club is pleased to announce auditions for its very first musical. Winner of the Tony and the Drama Desk Awards for Best Book, “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” has charmed audiences across the country with its effortless wit and humor.
Based on a fast-paced and touching book by Rachel Sheinkin and featuring a vibrant score by William Finn, this bee is one unforgettable experience. You won’t want to miss your chance to be a part of this charming production.
In this well-known Broadway musical, an eclectic group of six young students vie for the spelling championship of a lifetime. While candidly disclosing hilarious and touching stories from their home lives, the tweens spell their way through a series of (potentially made-up) words, hoping never to hear the soul-crushing, pout-inducing, life un-affirming “ding” of the bell that signals a spelling mistake. Six spellers enter; one speller leaves! At least the losers get a juice box.
Auditions will be held at CEPA, 25 Williamson Drive, Pell City on January 22 and 23 at 6 p.m. Those auditioning need only attend one date, though are welcome to attend both. Those wishing to audition should prepare 30 seconds (approximately 16 bars) of a song from a musical. No accompaniment will be provided.
The show will be performed at CEPA this spring, April 12-14. Rehearsals will typically be held three evenings per week beginning with the first week of February until the show. All roles are available to performers ages 13 to 80.
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee will be performed by at CEPA as part of the Spotlight program, which is offered through a partnership between CEPA and Jefferson State Community College. Its mission is to foster drama education and encourage community participation in theater in St. Clair County. Spotlight is supported by The Alabama Council on the Arts, The City of Pell City, Pell City Schools, Alabama Power and The Rotary Club of Pell City.
For more information on roles and vocal ranges, visit pellcitycepa.com/auditions, call the CEPA office at 205-338-1974 and leave a message or email Spotlight Program Coordinator Lesley Warren at Lesley@pellcitycepa.com.
Roles:
William Barfee (male): Tenor – A finalist in last year’s Bee, he spells using his “magic foot” and has no interest in making friends at the bee and is more concerned with avoiding allergic reactions to everything.
Olive Ostrovsky (female): Soprano – The heart of the show, Olive is basically deserted at the bee. Her mom is in ashram in India and her dad never shows up, even after promising that, this time, he’ll try to make it. Her best friend is a dictionary.
Leaf Coneybear (male): Baritone or Tenor – As just the second runner-up in his district’s bee, he really shouldn’t be competing here. He makes his own clothes, is home schooled with his hippy parents and siblings, and lacks social skills. He’s strange but very sweet, loving, and kindhearted but distracted.
Marcy Park (female): Soprano/Mezzo-Soprano – Marcy is the most feared and practiced competitor in the bee. She made it all the way to ninth place in Nationals last year and is back to win again. She sleeps three hours a night, speaks six languages, and does not recognize her own lack of humor. She is incredibly intense.
Logaine Schwartzandgrubenierre (female): Soprano – Logaine is the youngest and most politically aware speller, often making comments about current political figures and her mature world views. She has two overbearing dads who have turned her neurotic and self-conscious. She speaks with a lisp though has real confidence about her at times.
Chip Tolentino (male): Tenor – Last year’s Putnam County champ who faces some challenges during this Bee. He is strong-willed, competitive, ambitious, and, most of all, very anxious. This role has some of the most difficult singing in the show and requires long sustained high notes.
Vice Principal Douglas Patch (male): Non-singing – He was involved in an “incident” at the Twentieth Annual Bee that got him removed from the judging panel. He returns this year in “a better place,” thanks to a high-fiber diet and Jungian analysis. He is infatuated with Rona Lisa Peretti. Impeccable comic timing and the ability to improv both needed for this character.
Rona Lisa Peretti (female): Soprano – This former Spelling Bee champ is not only the county’s top realtor, she also runs a highly lucrative eBay business, selling sensible pumps at sensible prices. She is incredibly kind to the spellers, having been in their shoes many years earlier. Should have both a high belt and improv skills. Along with Panch, she guides the comedy of the show and the audience volunteers.
Mitch/Madge Mahoney (male or female): Tenor – This former felon is fulfilling his/her court-ordered community service at the bee and acting as the bee’s “comfort counselor,” handing out juice boxes and a dose of reality to the losers. He/she comes across as scary and tough but is really a big softy deep down.
Ensemble (male and female): Depending on the number of auditionees, several smaller roles can be added to this production. A variety of ages, genders, ethnicities, and vocal ranges are encouraged to audition.