Music and Lyrics by William Finn
Book by Rachel Sheinkin
Directed by Brian Swasey
Musical Direction by Jeffrey Campos
Production dates: April 26 - May 11, 2013
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Audition Dates:
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Wed, Jan. 23 at 7:00pm
This audition is only for the roles of
CHIP TOLENTINO/JESUS CHRIST, DOUGLAS PANCH,
LEAF CONEYBEAR/CARL'S DAD
and
MITCH MAHONEY/DAN'S DAD/OLIVE'S DAD.
The other roles have been cast.
Please come prepared with one comedic monologue and one song
from the show for the character in which you are auditioning.
All auditions are at The Playhouse, 10 New England Ave, Summit, NJ.
(directions).
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Character Breakdown:
CHIP TOLENTINO/JESUS CHRIST:
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.
DOUGLAS PANCH:
The Vice Principle. 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.
LEAF CONEYBEAR/CARL'S DAD:
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.
MITCH MAHONEY/DAN'S DAD/OLIVE'S DAD:
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.
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.
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.
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.
RONA LISA PERETTI/OLIVE'S MOM:
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.
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.