By Julia Paul
Beginning Oct. 17, St. Marys Community Players is performing the entertaining and hysterical The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee for local audiences to enjoy.
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is a musical comedy with music and lyrics by William Finn, a book written by Rachel Sheinkin and conceived by Rebecca Feldman with additional material by Jay Reiss. The show centres on a fictional spelling bee set in a geographically ambiguous Putnam Valley Middle School.
“It's an incredibly funny musical based around a spelling bee,” said Gord Hardcastle, the production’s director. “Six spellers, eight adolescence, three adults, all nine people struggle with their lives, with their situations and, in the middle of all of this riotous comedy, they find a life-changing moment – they all change for the better.
“By the time we get to the end, we've had an epilogue wherein these people are telling (the audience) what they're like 20 years later. It's very heartwarming; (a) comedy from crisis to heartwarming in 90 minutes.”
Actors and actresses from London to Stratford and throughout the greater St. Marys area come together to create this balanced ensemble in which everyone shares the spotlight equally. Even a few audience members get the chance to shine onstage.
“It's a great play and we're doing an incredibly wonderful job on it,” said Hardcastle. “It's going to be a lot of fun. One of the unique features of this show is that we invite four people from the audience to come on the stage as spellers. They get the stand in front of the mic, they get a word to spell and they have to try and win.
“We're looking forward to doing the show.”
Parental guidance is suggested for those wanting to bring their kids as some content may not be suitable for children. Preview tickets cost $25 and regular ticket price is $30. Visit stmaryscommunityplayers.ca for more information.
Comments