BREAKDOWN

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee

1st Rehearsal around the week of July 25

Runs September 9 - 25, 2022

A Musical Comedy by Rachel Sheinkin and William Finn

This Tony award winning musical comedy takes a hilarious and candid look at the lives of 6 mid-pubescent children as they fight their way through the Spelling Bee Championship of a lifetime. All roles will be played by adults aged 18+.

Chip Tolentino: An athletic, social, boy scout and champion of the Twenty-Fourth Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, he returns to defend his title, but he finds puberty hitting at an inopportune moment. C4 - B5 

Logainne Schwartzandgrunenierre (Schwartzy): Logainne is the youngest and most politically aware speller, often making comments about current political figures. She is driven by internal and external pressure, but above all by a desire to win to make her two fathers proud. She is somewhat of a neat freak, speaks with a lisp, and will be back next year. A3 - F5 

Leaf Coneybear: The second runner-up in his district, Leaf gets into the competition on a lark and finds everything about the bee incredibly amusing. He is home-schooled and comes from a large family of former hippies. He has severe Attention Deficit Disorder and spells words correctly while in a trance. A3 - A5 

William Barfee: A Putnam County Spelling Bee finalist last year, he was eliminated because of an allergic reaction to peanuts and is back for vindication. His famous "Magic Foot" method of spelling has boosted him to spelling glory, even though he only has one working nostril and a touchy, bullying personality. He develops a crush on Olive. E4 - B5 

Marcy Park: 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, 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. C4 - E5 

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 sometime during the bee. Having found comfort in its words and vastness, Olive made friends with her dictionary at a very young age, helping her to make it to the competition. She starts enormously shy, and shyly blossoms. B3 - F5 

Rona Lisa Peretti: The number-one realtor in Putnam County, a former Putnam County Spelling Bee Champion herself, and the 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 and his feelings for her. Her interest in the competition is unflagging and drives it forward. B3 - F5 

Douglas Panch: The Vice Principal. Frustrated with his life, he finds the drive of the young spellers alien to him. After five years' absence from the Bee, Panch returns as judge. There was an "incident" at the Twentieth 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. He has no idea how to offer comfort, but does find himself wishing he could find a way to make the kids feel better. E4 - A5 

Misery

1st Rehearsal around the week of September 9th

Runs October 14 - 30, 2022

Based on Stephen King’s Hit Thriller. By William Goldman

When romance novelist Paul Sheldon is forced to write a new novel by his “number one fan,” Annie Wilkes, he quickly realizes she has no intention of letting him go.

Annie: Female, 40-49. Intense, mercurial, riveting, charming, and frightening.

Paul Sheldon: Male, 50-59. A successful novelist. He is the author of the Misery Chastain novel series, and is imprisoned by Annie Wilkes (his self-described "number one fan") after a devastating car crash.

Buster: Male, 50-59.The local sheriff. A “guys guy”.

Daddy Long Legs

1st Rehearsal around the week of November 21

Runs January 6 - 22, 2023

A Musical Romance by John Caird & Paul Gordon

A heartwarming Cinderella story about a witty young woman and her mysterious benefactor known as “Daddy Long Legs”, who each find love where they least expect it.

Jerusha Abbott: Female, 18-30. Intelligent, witty, vibrant, optimistic, she finds much passion in life. She thrives in academia and reaching out towards all that “The New American Woman” can be. We see her grow up into a confident woman before our eyes. (Alto)

Jervis Pendleton: Male, 18-29. Intelligent, reserved, socially reclusive, mature. A man of business and his privileged upbringing who longs for more connection and to make a difference. We see him connect with his emotions through knowing her. He has to be noticeably taller than she is. (Tenor)

Tiger Style!

1st Rehearsal around last week of December

Runs February 3 - 19, 2023

A Play About Family by Mike Lew

Adult siblings Albert and Jennifer Chen take an “Asian Freedom Tour!” from California to Shenzhen, examining the successes and failures of “tiger parenting” in this comedy. 

Albert Chen: Asian. Male, late 20s to early 30s. Computer programmer. Unsatisfied with his stalled career. Suffering from stress ulcers.

Jennifer Chen: Asian. Female, 30s. Doctor, determined and smart. Ruled by a disciplined timetable that she schedules her life on. Dealing with a breakup.

Russ the Bus/ Reggie/ Customs Guy: Caucasian. Male, 30s. Perpetually cuts corners. Lives to enjoy life.

Dad/ Tzi Chaun/ Melvin/ General Tso: Asian. Male, 40s to 60s. Provided the kids with the best education, now only worries about what kind of wines pair with Chinese food.

Mom/ Therapist/ Cousin Chen/ Matchmaker: Asian. Female, 40s to 60s. Hands on when the kids were in school and now expects them to have the tools to deal with life on their own

Shipwrecked! An Entertainment

1st Rehearsal around the week of March 27th

Runs April 7 - 23, 2023

An Adventure Tale For All Ages by Donald Margulies 

Inspired by the true story of the unlikely hero, bombastic adventurer Louis de Rougemont, Shipwrecked! is a fun-filled production with a wealth of fantastic characters.

Louis de Rougemont: 18+. Main storyteller we follow from boyhood through old age.

Player 1: 18+. Portrays or gives voice to Louis’ Mother, Capt. Jensen, Yamba (Aborigine princess), Fitzgerald (magazine editor), Society Lady, Albert’s Mother, Octopus Expert, Map Maker, Reporter, Librarian, and more. 

Player 2: 18+. Portrays or gives voice to Barkeep, Bruno (dog), Gunda (Yamba’s father, tribal chief), Bobo (Yamba’s brother), Queen Victoria, Australian Prospector, Society Lady, Albert (boy), Turtle Expert, Wombat, and more.