MTISHOWS.COM Synopsis of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee

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. Featuring a fast-paced, wildly funny and touching book by Rachel Sheinkin and a truly fresh and vibrant score by William Finn, this bee is one unforgettable experience.

An eclectic group of six mid-pubescents 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.

A riotous ride, complete with audience participation, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is a delightful den of comedic genius. The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is a fast-paced crowd pleaser and an instant theatre patron favorite.

Creative Team for The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee

Producer | Maria Dripps-Paulson

Director | Ben Rogers

Music Director | Bradley Staker

Please read the following audition information thoroughly.

Current high school juniors through adults are invited to audition.

Auditions will take place in the KANELAND HIGH SCHOOL BLACK BOX THEATRE. The physical address for Kaneland High School is 47W326 Keslinger Road, Maple Park, IL 60151. Park in the parking lot on the Northeast side of campus and enter through Door 32.

There are two parts to the audition done in two sections:

• Singing - Sing a song(s) from the REQUIRED SONG SELECTION LIST to a performance track based on the character(s) you would like to be considered for.

• Reading - no materials are needed

REQUIRED SONG SELECTION:

• Actors should prepare to sing the song(s) associated with the character(s) for which they are auditioning.  This link is provided with specific MUSIC SELECTIONS for the audition.  The music selections indicated when you should START singing and when you should STOP singing. We are asking actors to perform to the performance track in the same key indicated in the written music provided.

• Actors MAY sing more than one of the required songs if they are auditioning for more than one character.

• NOTE for actors auditioning for CHIP TOLENTINO: There are alternate lyrics for Chip's Lament that change the chorus to "My unfortunate distraction..."  We will be using this alternative version in our production.  Please substitute "erection" for "distraction" if you are auditioning with this piece. (To be clear: Sing “distraction” instead of “erection.”)

Other Audition Requirements:

• Please sign up on our SIGN UP GENIUS LINK to reserve your spot on either October 1st or October 2nd. Come at the start time on audition day and be prepared to stay until you are dismissed by the production team.

• Please complete the AUDITION REGISTRATION FORM in order for the production team to understand who you are audition for and what your schedule looks like. DO THIS BEFORE YOU ATTEND AUDITIONS.

• BE SURE you have check the following performance dates: December 8 - 11, 2022. Thursday - Saturday have a 7pm curtain and Sunday is a 2 pm curtain. Performances take place at Kaneland High School in the Black Box Theatre.

• KNOW that we anticipate 3 rehearsals a week between 6 - 10pm at Kaneland High School in the Black Box Theatre.

For your consideration, here is the Character Breakdown for The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee:

• 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.

• Logainne Schwartzandgrubeniere (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.

• 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.

• 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.

• Marcy Park | The ultimate over-achiever, Marcy has never been given another option. She comes from a family where excellence is expected and so simply produced. A parochial school student, she assumes God, too, expects perfection. She sees herself as a mass of problems but she keeps them to herself. Having moved often because of her parents' work, she knows she can beat the local competition. Her many talents include piano, dance, martial arts, baton twirling, and more.

• 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, helpingher to make it to the competition. She starts enormously shy, and shyly blossoms.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• Ensemble Parts:

  • Carl Dad | Schwarzy's main trainer, the more intense and competitive of Schwarzy's fathers.

  • Dan Dad | The more laid back and ineffectual of Schwarzy's fathers.

  • Jesus Christ | Deity invoked by a speller in need.

  • Leaf's Mom, Dad, & Siblings | All more academically gifted than Leaf, they are even more surprised than he is by his success. Normally played by the spellers and audience volunteers as indicated in the script.

  • Olive's Dad | A fantasy version of Olive's dad coming to the bee from work.

  • Olive's Mom| A fantasy version of Olive's mom at her Ashram in India.

Please use the contact form below if you have questions regarding auditions for The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. Your inquiry will go to Ben Rogers, the director of the show.