By SALINA POST
On November 17-19 Salina Central High School Repertory Theatre class students will present the musical “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” by William Finn and Rachel Sheinkin.
Tickets are on sale online and will also be available at performances. Ticket prices for the production are $10 for adults, $5 for students with ZERO credit service charges added to this price if using a credit card online to pre-purchase tickets.
Central High School theatre teacher Barbara Hilt said Central's production of "The 25th annual Putnam County Spelling Bee' will be submitted to the Kansas Thespian Festival as Central High School’s one-act entry (in a shortened version).
“This production has been a very fun journey to work on with students during our repertory theatre class. Students expressed an interest in doing more work with musicals last year, and this was a way to get another musical opportunity and involve some student musicians as our pit band in this production as well," Hilt said.
Central High School thespians have placed first in the one act competition for three consecutive years.
"I love the collaboration that we have at Central High School to make opportunities for our students and to have special projects like this one. During the production, we even invite a few audience members to join in the fun and become members of the spelling bee so this will be a fun evening for everyone who attends!”
The musical is centered around an eclectic group of sixth-graders who arrive at the 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, each eager to win for very different reasons.
Sweet and shy Olive brings only her best friend (the dictionary) with her to the bee; bold and hyperallergic speller William Barfee uses his “magic foot” to propel him to greatness; former champion Chip is struggling with his puberty; easily distracted Leaf is unconvinced that he’s smart enough to be a challenger; overachiever Marcy is disappointed by her consistent success; and politically aware Logainne Schwartzandgrubenierre only wants to impress her dads.
In hilarious, touching, and catchy songs, each speller reveals his/her hopes, struggles, and passions as they make their way through the competition.
With an engaging, tuneful score by William Finn and a sweet, funny book by Rachel Sheinkin, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee causes audiences to fall in love, both with the show itself and its “perspicacious,” “jocular,” and “effervescent” spellers.
“The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee displays the challenges and pressures put upon students even at a young age. The characters face many difficulties throughout the production presented in a humorous and sometimes heartfelt way, but they persevere throughout the spelling bee to have their own personal victories. Audiences will enjoy the comedic moments and the crushing defeats in this production," said cast member Michelle Simmons, who plays Rona Lisa Perretti.
The running time for the performance is approximately 90 minutes and will run without an intermission. Concessions will be for sale at the beginning of the production.
The production is directed by Barbara Hilt, Central High School Theatre teacher and program director who is assisted by Bill Weaver, Central High School Technical Director, Music Director Tyler Brenneman, and Pit Conductor Guillermo Rodriguez.
The production is rated PG-13 and may not be suitable for all audiences as it takes on some mature subject matter.
Production rights are made available through special arrangements with Music Theatre International, Inc.
CAST
LOGAINNE SCHWARTZANDGRUBINERRE……ALYSSA MAAS*
WILLIAM BARFÉE……………………………….……....JAXSON RUTZ*
MARCY PARK…………………………..……MACKENZIE MARTINEZ*
LEAF CONEYBEAR………………………………….MAC SHEFORGEN*
MITCH MAHONEY……………………………DONOVAN JOHNSON*
OLIVE OSTROVSKY………………………..…………….BRYNN SHAFT*
RONA LISA PERRETTI………………………..MICHELLE SIMMONS*
CHIP TOLENTINO………………………………….…ZANDER FLENER*
VICE PRINCIPAL PANCH……………….…BENJAMIN CAMPBELL*
DAN DAD……………………………………………...MAC SHEFORGEN*
CARL DAD……………………………………....DONOVAN JOHNSON*
JESUS…………………………………………………..….ZANDER FLENER*
OLIVE’S MOM…………….…………….……..MICHELLE SIMMONS*
OLIVE’S DAD…………………………………...DONOVAN JOHNSON*
* denotes member of Thespian Troupe 639
PIT PERFORMERS
PIT CONDUCTOR…………GUILLERMO RODRIGUEZ
KEYBOARD 1……………………….TYLER BRENNEMAN
KEYBOARD 2………………………………HUDSON DUFF
REEDS……………………………..……....BROCK DOLTON
PERCUSSION………………….…….JULIAN LUNDBERG
PERCUSSION……………….…………..MADELYN CRAFT
FLUTE………………………….……….…JANAE MONTOYA
CREW
Director……………………………………….…………………….……………….Barbara Hilt
Music Director…………………………………………………………...Tyler Brenneman
Choreographers……………………………..…..Brynn Shaft* & Andrew Graber*
Technical Director………………………………………………………….…..Bill Weaver
Stage Manager………………………………..………………………Kasheia Peterson*
Assistant Stage Manager…………………………………………..…Joseph Zepeda*
Lighting Design………..…………………………………………………………Barbara Hilt
Light Board Operator…………………………………..…….…………...Wyatt Angell*
Sound Board Operator……………………………………Anna Kraft*, Lillian Crow
Spot Operators………………………………..……..Avery Jeakins, Keaton Myers*
Running Crew.......................................Bishop Talbott*, Joseph Zepeda*
Costume Design………………………………………………….Addilyn Jagodzinske*
Costume Crew…………………………………...Barbara Hilt, Michelle Simmons*
Properties……………..……………….Mackenzie Martinez*, Andrew Graber*,
Poster Design…………………….…………………….……..……..……….…Barbara Hilt
T-shirt Design…………………………….……………….…………...…...Mandi Graber
Program Design……………….………………………….………….…………Barbara Hilt
Publicity……………………………………………………...……..Mackenzie Martinez*
Shop Foremen.……………………………………………………...…Montana Morgan
Ticket Design……………………….………………………….…………..…….Barbara Hilt
House Manager……………….…………………………………….…Katherine White*
Photography…………………………..………………………….…………….Matea Gregg
Scenic Design………….………………………………………...……………..…Bill Weaver
* indicates Thespian
Bold names indicate Crew Chief