The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
“It’s a marvelous memory, If you win the spelling bee, One’s life improves from A to Z, The minute you are crowned here“
Imagine a world where the stakes are as high as the tension is thick, where the contestants are quirky, hilarious, and heartbreakingly earnest.
Welcome to “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,” a musical extravaganza that transforms an ordinary middle school gymnasium into a battleground of intellect and emotion.
With its whip-smart humor, unforgettable characters, and unexpected moments of genuine warmth, this show is a spellbinding blend of comedy and heart that will have you laughing, crying, and rooting for the underdog.
- The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
- Setting of “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee”
- The History Behind “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee”
- Plot
- The Cast
- Exploring the Music, Lyrics, and Dance of “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee”
- Unpacking the Themes of “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee”
- A Visual Feast: Set Design, Costumes, and Choregraphy
- Broadway Buzz: The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
- “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” Fun Facts
- Conclusion
- Sources
- “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” FAQ
- About the Author
Setting of “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee”
Book by Rachel Sheinkin
Music and Lyrics by William Finn
Time/Date: Modern Day/Putnam County, NY
Place: A Middle School Gymnasium, Putnam Valley Middle School
Genre:
- 1 Act Musical
- Comedy
- Contemporary
Target Audience: PG13 to R
Duration: 1 Hour and 40 minutes
Performance Groups:
- College Theatre
- Community Theatre
- Professional Theatre
The History Behind “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee”
The Origins of the Spelling Bee
The origins of the spelling bee can be traced back to early American colonial times. The concept of a “bee” as a social gathering is rooted in the colonial practice of neighbors coming together to work on communal tasks. These gatherings were called “bees” and included activities such as quilting, husking corn, and barn raising. The word “bee” in this context derives from the Old English word “bēn,” meaning a prayer or a favor, reflecting the cooperative nature of these events.
The specific term “spelling bee” is believed to have first appeared in print in 1875, although the practice of spelling competitions likely existed informally before this date. These competitions were initially simple, informal events held in schools and communities, where participants took turns spelling words aloud until only one speller remained. This format not only promoted literacy and education but also provided a form of entertainment and social interaction.
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, spelling bees gained popularity in the United States, becoming a staple of American education. The National Spelling Bee, now known as the Scripps National Spelling Bee, was first held in 1925 and has since grown into a prestigious and widely recognized event. This annual competition brings together the best young spellers from across the country, and even from around the world, to compete for the title of champion.
The spelling bee tradition has also spread to other countries, with national and regional competitions held in many English-speaking nations. These events continue to celebrate linguistic skills, promote the importance of spelling and vocabulary, and foster a sense of community and friendly competition among participants.
Spelling Bees gained such a popularity that it sparked works of art like the Academy Award nominated documentary “Spellbound”, novels like Myla Goldberg’s Bee Season, and the Broadway award winning musical “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee”.
The Creation of “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee”
“C-R-E-P-U-S-C-U-L-E” (Play)
The musical was inspired by “C-R-E-P-U-S-C-U-L-E,” an original improvisational play with music, acting, and dancing, created by Rebecca Feldman and performed by The Farm, a New York-based improv comedy troupe. An actress, Sarah Saltzberg, who participated in the original production suggested William Finn, a Tony award winning composer, to see the show. This lead Finn to collaborate with Rachel Sheinkin and Feldman to adapt “C-R-E-P-U-S-C-U-L-E” into a scripted, full-length musical with catchy tunes and witty dialogue.
FUN FACT
Crepuscule is a Latin based noun for “twilight”, and it was a word used to trap spelling bee contestants.
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Musical)
The show was workshopped and developed at the Barrington Stage Company in Massachusetts, under the artistic direction of Julianne Boyd, in two distinct phases. In February 2004, a workshop was held to create the first act and parts of the second act, directed by Michael Barakiva and Rebecca Feldman. By July 2004, the script was further developed, and a more complete production was staged, directed by Feldman and Michael Unger. Dan Knechtges choreographed the workshop, summer productions, and the eventual Broadway production, while Dana Harrel produced both stages as the Producer of Stage II at BSC.
Several original cast members from “C-R-E-P-U-S-C-U-L-E,” including Dan Fogler, Jay Reiss, and Sarah Saltzberg, remained in the show. Soon, cast members included Jose Llana, Derrick Baskin, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Celia Keenan-Bolger,, Lisa Howard, and Deborah S. Craig. During this process, a full script was developed.
FUN FACT
Although there is not a single original recording that can be found on the internet, fans know it does exist as it was told that the show was taped in early 2000 to be presented to William Finn who composed the musical score.
The musical premiered Off-Broadway at the Second Stage Theatre, beginning previews on January 11, 2005, and officially opening on February 7, 2005. It ran until March 20, 2005. The production garnered several awards, including the 2005 Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Musical and the 2005 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Ensemble Performance.
The show officially debuted on Broadway at the Circle in the Square Theatre on April 15, 2005. It ran for 1,136 performances and 21 previews before closing on January 20, 2008. The show received Tony Awards for Best Book (Rachel Sheinkin) and Best Featured Actor (Dan Fogler).
FUN FACT
The original Broadway cast of Spelling Bee reunited for a one-night-only 10th anniversary concert at The Town Hall on July 6, 2015. All actors reprised their roles for the performance, except for Celia Keenan-Bolger as Olive Ostrovsky. Jenni Barber, who had previously played the role on Broadway, stepped into the role for this special event. Keenan-Bolger joined the cast for the concert’s finale, reprising Olive’s monologue as she had done a decade earlier. The concert was organized as a tribute to original production stage manager Andrea “Spook” Testani-Gordon, who had passed away from cancer the previous November.
Plot
While setting up for the spelling bee, moderator Rona Lisa Peretti has a flashback to her own victory in the Third Annual Spelling Bee, but her reminiscing is interrupted by the arrival of the 25th annual spellers. As each speller arrives, they sing about their anticipation for the bee (“The Twenty-Fifth Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee”). Rona calls up four audience participants to join the competition and privately speaks to Olive Ostrovsky, who hasn’t paid her entrance fee. Olive explains that her parents are absent and she arrived by bus. Rona decides to waive the fee for the moment. She then introduces the official word pronouncer, Douglas Panch, and comfort counselor, Mitch Mahoney. Mitch leads the spellers in the Pledge of Allegiance and Panch explains the rules (“The Spelling Rules / My Favorite Moment of the Bee 1”).
The spelling bee commences. Each time a speller is called, Rona shares a snippet of information about them. When Leaf Coneybear steps up, he has a flashback to the county bee where he qualified almost by accident. His word is “capybara,” which he spells correctly while in a trance. Olive, depicted as shy and reserved due to her absent parents, developed a love for spelling by reading the dictionary at home (“My Friend, the Dictionary”). When William Barfée takes the stage, Rona describes his unique technique: he spells the word out with his foot before vocalizing it. After the audience spellers breeze through easy words, the others lament how luck makes the bee unfair (“Pandemonium”). Logainne Schwartzy then tackles “cystitis,” recalling study sessions with her often-arguing fathers. When Leaf returns for his second turn, he reflects on how his family labels him as “dumb” (“I’m Not That Smart”).
Barfée is called up and sings about his unique spelling technique (“Magic Foot”). When Marcy Park is called again, she successfully spells “qaimaqam,” solidifying herself as a top speller, though Rona’s comment that she is “all business” stings a bit. Chip Tolentino is called next, but hesitates because he’s distracted by an erection caused by thoughts of Leaf’s sister, Marigold. Threatened with disqualification and asked to spell a somewhat erotic-sounding word, he misspells it and Mitch escorts him offstage (“Pandemonium (Reprise) / My Favorite Moment of the Bee 2”).
Barfée is called up and sings about his unique spelling technique (“Magic Foot”). When Marcy Park is called again, she successfully spells “qaimaqam,” solidifying herself as a top speller, though Rona’s comment that she is “all business” stings a bit. Chip Tolentino is called next, but hesitates because he’s distracted by an erection caused by thoughts of Leaf’s sister, Marigold. Threatened with disqualification and asked to spell a somewhat erotic-sounding word, he misspells it and Mitch escorts him offstage (“Pandemonium (Reprise) / My Favorite Moment of the Bee 2”).
At this stage, the final audience speller is eliminated. Mitch performs a special serenade in honor of this audience member for making it this far (“Prayer of the Comfort Counselor”).
Panch calls for a snack break, during which Chip moves through the audience selling snacks. He confides in the audience about the reason for his loss (“My Unfortunate Erection (Chip’s Lament)”). Barfée teases Chip, who retaliates by throwing a bag of peanut M&M’s at him. Barfée, who is allergic to peanuts, is unable to pick them up, so Olive retrieves them for him. As Olive and Barfée chat before the second half of the bee begins, Barfée starts to develop a crush on Olive.
Logainne describes her two overbearing fathers and the stress they put on her (“Woe is Me”). In a montage sequence, the bee progresses through many rounds, culminating in Leaf’s elimination. He walks away with his head held high, having proven to himself that he is smarter than his family gave him credit for (“I’m Not that Smart (Reprise)”).
Marcy reveals more about her stressful life (“I Speak Six Languages”). Distraught when she is given another easy word, she exclaims frustration invertedly calling for Jesus. Jesus appears to her and teaches her that she is in control of her own life. Resolved to pursue her desires rather than what is expected of her, she intentionally misspells the word and exits excitedly (“Jesus / Pandemonium (Reprise #2)”).
Olive receives a call from her father, whom she has been eagerly anticipating. Panch tries to prevent her from answering the phone, but she convinces Rona to take the call on her behalf. Meanwhile, Logainne starts an impromptu rant about the spelling bee, her fathers, and current political events. Panch reacts angrily to Logainne, leading to Rona and Mitch escorting him offstage. One of Logainne’s fathers jumps onstage to calm her down, accidentally spilling his soda on the floor to disrupt Barfée’s foot technique. With Panch calmed down, Olive is called up to spell. She imagines her parents being there and showering her with the love she has always wanted and yearned for (“The I Love You Song”).
Barfée is called next and manages to spell his word correctly despite the soda causing his foot to stick. Logainne misspells her next word (“Woe is Me (Reprise)”), and Rona is excited that it has come down to the final two spellers (“My Favorite Moment of the Bee 3”).
The finals unfold through another montage (“Second”), with Olive and Barfée continuing to grow closer. Eventually, Olive misspells a word, giving Barfée a chance to win. He wrestles with the decision between winning and letting Olive win, but with her encouragement, he spells his word correctly. Panch awards Barfée the trophy and the two hundred dollar prize. In a surprise act of charity, he pays Olive’s entrance fee, calling it a “runner-up prize.” Olive graciously congratulates Barfée.
In the years and decades after the main action of the play, each character reflects on their lives and what they have achieved (“Last Goodbye”).
The Cast
The Spellers
Charlito “Chip” Tolentino – Speller #21 is last year’s champion of the Twenty-Fourth Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, returning to defend his title. He is strong-willed, competitive, and ambitious. An athletic and social boy scout, he finds puberty hitting at an inopportune moment.
Age: 10 to 13 years old
Vocal Range: C3 to B4 (Tenor, Belter)
Dance: Non Dancer
Leaf Coneybear – Speller #17, just the second runner-up in his district’s bee, shouldn’t really be competing here. He finds everything about the bee incredibly amusing. Home-schooled and from a large family of former hippies, he makes his own clothes and lacks social skills. He’s strange but very sweet, loving, and kindhearted, though easily distracted due to severe Attention Deficit Disorder. He spells words correctly while in a trance.
Age: 10 to 13 years old
Vocal Range: A2 to A4 (Tenor, Belter)
Dance: Non Dancer
Marcy Park – Speller #7 is the most feared and practiced competitor in the bee. A recent transfer from Virginia, she achieved ninth place in Nationals last year and is determined to win this time. Fluent in six languages, she excels in all-American hockey, is a championship rugby player, plays Chopin and Mozart on multiple instruments, and sleeps only three hours a night. She attends a Catholic school named “Our Lady of Intermittent Sorrows” and is not permitted to cry. Despite her achievements, she hides in the bathroom cabinet and is growing weary of always winning. She lacks a sense of humor, is intensely focused, and embodies the stereotype of the Over-Achieving Asian.
Age: 10 to 13 years old
Vocal Range: C4 to E5 (Mezzo-Soprano, Belter)
Dance: Dancer
Logainne “Schwartzy” Schwartzandgrubeniere – Speller #1 is the youngest and most politically aware speller, frequently commenting on current political figures and displaying mature world views. She has two overbearing dads who have made her neurotic and self-conscious. Despite speaking with a lisp, she exhibits real confidence most of the time.
Age: 10 to 13 years old
Vocal Range: A3 to F5 (Mezzo-Soprano, Belter)
Dance: Non Dancer
Olive Ostrovsky – Speller #11 is a newcomer to competitive spelling. The heart of the show, Olive is basically deserted at the bee. Her mom is in ashram in India and her dad never shows up, even after promising that he’ll try to make it. Her best friend is a dictionary. She starts enormously shy, and shyly blossoms.
Age: 10 to 13 years old
Vocal Range: B3 to F5 (Mezzo-Soprano, Belter)
Dance: Non Dancer
William Barfée – Speller #13, a finalist in last year’s Putnam County Spelling Bee, was eliminated due to a peanut allergy and returns seeking vindication. He has no interest in making friends at the bee. Known for his famous “Magic Foot” spelling method, he has achieved spelling glory despite having only one working nostril and a touchy, bullying personality. Surprisingly, he develops a crush on Olive.
Age: 10 to 13 years old
Vocal Range: E2 to B4 (Tenor, Belter)
Dance: Non Dancer
The Adults
Rona Lisa Peretti – This former Spelling Bee champion isn’t just the county’s top realtor; she also runs a highly lucrative eBay business selling sensible pumps at sensible prices. Incredibly kind to the spellers, having been in their shoes many years earlier, she’s a sweet woman who adores children. However, she can be quite stern when dealing with Vice Principal Panch and his feelings for her. Her enthusiasm for the competition is unwavering and drives it forward.
Age: Unknown (Adult)
Vocal Range: B3 to F5 (Mezzo-Soprano, Belter)
Dance: Non Dancer
Douglas Panch – The Vice Principal is frustrated with his life, finding the determination of the young spellers alien to him. He was involved in an “incident” at the Twentieth Annual Bee that led to his removal from the judging panel. After five years away from the Bee, Panch returns as a judge, now in “a better place” thanks to a high-fiber diet and therapy. He is infatuated with Rona Lisa Peretti, but she does not return his affections.
Age: Unknown (Adult)
Vocal Range: None
Dancer: Non Dancer
Mitch Mahoney – A former felon fulfilling his court-ordered community service at the bee, acts as the “comfort counselor,” distributing juice boxes and a dose of reality to the losers. He appears scary and tough but is actually a big softy deep down. He’s clueless about how to offer comfort but wishes he could find a way to make the kids feel better.
Age: Unknown (Adult)
Vocal Range: E3 to A4 (Tenor, Belter)
Dance: Non Dancer
Side Characters
Carl – Schwarzy’s more intense and competitive father. The main trainer for Schwarzy’s spelling. (Normally played by actor playing Leaf.)
Age: Unknown (Adult)
Vocal Range: G2 to D4 (Tenor, Belter)
Dance: Non Dancer
Dan – Schwarzy’s more laid-back and ineffectual father. (Normally played by the actor playing Mitch.)
Age: Unknown (Adult)
Vocal Range: G2 to D4 (Tenor, Belter)
Dance: Non Dancer
Olive’s Dad – A fantasy version of Olive’s dad coming to the bee from work. (Normally played by the actor playing Mitch.)
Age: Unknown (Adult)
Vocal Range: D3 to E4 (Tenor, Belter)
Dance: Non Dancer
Olive’s Mom – A fantasy version of Olive’s mom at her Ashram in India. (Normally played by the actor playing Rona.)
Age: Unknown (Adult)
Vocal Range: D4 to E5 (Mezzo-Soprano, Betler)
Dance: Non Dancer
Jesus Christ – Deity invoked by a speller in need. (Normally played by the actor playing Chip.)
Leaf’s Family – They are all more academically gifted than Leaf, and they are even more surprised than he is by his success. (Normally played by the spellers and audience volunteers.)
Exploring the Music, Lyrics, and Dance of “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee”
Musical Style: Contemporary
Dance Requirements: Standard
Vocal Demands: High
Orchestra Size: Small
Chorus Size: Medium
Historical Context
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is the first musical ever about a group of spelling bee contestants who follow a surprisingly heartfelt journey about six wacky kids thrust into the spotlight. Each one is still trying to figure out who they are and what they want in life and by the end of the show, each child makes it through the painful transition from childhood to adulthood.
The musical conceived by Rebecca Feldman, written by Rachel Sheinkin, and composed by William Finn went through some major changes from the play to Off-Broadway to Broadway itself. Characters were dropped in the musical, musical numbers were created then tossed aside, and the production became more scripted than the original improvised play. However, despite the many changes, the musical became a huge success and felt like an incredible etevment for all involved.
With these changes, Sheinkin wrote a firm sharp-edge hilarity in her writing for the characters, and Finn created songs with an adolescent worldview that can seem charming to some and time-wasters for others depending on your perspective.
Driven by witty lyrics and an upbeat, nimble score, Finn provides the emotional substance the characters need in Sheinkin’s writing. Sheinkins displays all kinds of ingenuity exploring the structure of comedy making situations seems big and so outrageous that its funny which connects really well with the child characters in the show. But with Finn’s compositions, he provides the melancholy and reflective emotions where the children can reveal their insecurities and anxieties behind all the funny, ambitions dialogue. The lyrics liven up the smart children voices and create dimensions with each character as each one has an emotional epiphany which transitions smoothly from the goofy, light-hearted atmosphere to a more melancholy, vulnerable state that can tug heartstrings.
“The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” is full of bouncy melodies, clever character building moments, and an ensemble full of life and humor. While none of the songs are memorable showstoppers, they are all charming and clever. Each performer showcases exceptional talent, making every character shine in “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee”. When the full company sings together, the effect is completely engaging.
Act 1
| Musical Number | Characters |
| “The Twenty-Fifth Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” | Chip, Rona, Leaf, Logainne, Barfée, Marcy, Olive |
| “The Spelling Rules” | Panch, Spellers, Rona, Mitch |
| “My Favorite Moment of the Bee” | Rona |
| “My Friend, the Dictionary” | Olive, Chip, Leaf, Logainne, Rona, Company |
| “The First Goodbye” | Company |
| “Pandemonium” | Chip, Olive, Logainne, Leaf, Barfée, Marcy, Mitch |
| “I’m Not That Smart” | Leaf |
| “The Second Goodbye” | Company |
| “Magic Foot” | Barfée, Company |
| “Pandemonium (Reprise)” | Mitch, Company |
| “My Favorite Moment of the Bee (Reprise)” | Rona |
| “Prayer of the Comfort Counselor” | Mitch, Company |
| “My Unfortunate Erection/Distraction (Chip’s Lament)” | Chip |
| “Woe is Me” | Logainne, Carl, Dan, and Company |
| “Spelling Montage” | Panch, Spellers |
| “I’m Not That Smart (Reprise)” | Leaf |
| “I Speak Six Languages” | Marcy, Females |
| “Jesus” | Marcy, Females |
| “The I Love You Song” | Olive, Olive’s Mom, Olive’s Dad |
| “Woe is Me (Reprise)” | Logainne, Mitch |
| “My Favorite Moment of the Bee (Reprise 2)” | Rona |
| “Second” | Barfée, Olive, Company |
| “Finale” | Company |
| “The Last Goodbye” | Company |
Unpacking the Themes of “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee”
Bullying
During his childhood, William Barfée endured relentless bullying from his peers. This mistreatment left him defensive and unkind, eventually turning him into a bully himself.
Puberty
During puberty, a child’s body undergoes rapid growth and changes, second only to those in infancy. Puberty typically begins between ages 8 and 15. In boys, a significant increase in testosterone drives most of these changes, affecting them physically, mentally, and emotionally. Chip Tolentino experiences newfound feelings that ultimately distract him from the competition.
Burnout
Burnout is a state of mental, physical, or emotional exhaustion. In children, it occurs when they face prolonged stress or frustration without opportunities to relax and recharge. Marcy Park, like many gifted students, experiences burnout from balancing numerous roles, lacking control, and striving for perfection.
Neglectful and Absent Parents
The character Olive Ostrovsky grapples with the absence of her parents. Her father is constantly working, and her mother is away in India. As a result, Olive is largely left to fend for herself. Neglect, a form of child abuse, can have profound and lasting effects that extend into adulthood. Neglected children, whether physically or emotionally, may suffer from depression, PTSD, and difficulties in trusting others.
Youth Activism
In 1969, the Supreme Court affirmed students’ First Amendment rights, ruling that they have the right to protest within their schools. Since then, student protests and demonstrations have increased. Students like Logainne Schwartzandgrubenierre are becoming more politically and socially aware, eager to stand up for their beliefs.
Self-Esteem
Leaf Coneybear proudly marches to the beat of his own drum, despite his family’s attempts to stifle his individuality. He expresses himself through fashion, even making his own clothes, as Rona Lisa Peretti notes. Throughout the Spelling Bee, audiences see Coneybear embrace his unique abilities, an essential part of the journey to building self-esteem in young people.
A Visual Feast: Set Design, Costumes, and Choregraphy
In order to continue the tale of smart, quirky children progressing through the awkwardness of youth to adulthood, set designer Beowulf Boritt transformed the blank canvas that was the stage into an average American middle school gym with all the charms that come with it: inspirational school sponsor banners, kids’ art projects on the walls, and a basketball court with a huge basketball hoop. Each item combined give the stage an aura of authenticity and realness that feels like an actual school auditorium.
Because of the stage being as simple but efficient as it is, it helped lighting designer Natasha Katz and choreographer Dan Knechtges to adapted their own work into the space. Additionally, costume designer Jen Caprio’s outfits shine all the brighter to help show each character’s quirkiness.
With all these combined, they serve a way to strengthen the audience’s investment into each misfit as each one has deeper yearnings to win the spelling bee: Chip wants to stroke his ego and win again, Leaf wants to prove his intellect to his family, Marcy wants the freedom to be normal, Logainne wants to please her parents, Olive craves connection and love from her parents, and William wants to be liked for who he is. That is the power of visual art.
Broadway Buzz: The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
In addition to the awards won by the musical, “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” received nominations for four Tony Awards, three Drama Desk Awards (including one for Outstanding Musical), and two Lucille Lortel Awards. The cast and creative team also won a Tony Award, a Drama Desk Award, a Lucille Lortel Award, and two Theatre World Awards.
“Effortlessly endearing…. Gold stars all around.”
The New York Times
“Composer-lyricist William Finn and book writer Rachel Sheinkin’s winsome and winning new musical is so generously warm-hearted, only the most bitter misanthrope could resist its charms.”
Variety
“Great news! The American musical comedy – with equal emphasis on the ‘musical’ part and the ‘comedy’ part – is alive and well…. A treat and a half.”
TheatreMania
“Delightful confection…. Remarkably effective.”
Time Out
“The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” Fun Facts
Audience Participation
Including several audience members in the spelling bee adds a reality show flair that enhances the entertainment but is ultimately somewhat gimmicky and unnecessary. These audience participants are not plucked from their seats; rather, they are selected from those picking up their tickets at the door.
FUN FACT
Katharine Close, the 2006 winner of the Scripps National Spelling Bee, was invited to participate in being a constetant in the show. As the last audience speller to be eliminated, she impressively survived fourteen rounds.
Approximately thirty minutes before the show begins, audience members in the lobby have the opportunity to sign up to participate in the show as “spellers.” The registration form requests their name, occupation, hobbies, description of clothing, spelling ability, and age range. Interviewers seek individuals with no acting experience and unique names, traits, and backgrounds. The selected audience participants are taken backstage before the show starts, where they are shown where to stand when called from the audience and given instructions on how to spell. They are instructed to request the definition of each word and its usage in a sentence, and to attempt to spell each word rather than giving up.
During the performance, the actors sitting next to the audience participants occasionally whisper hints about when to stand, sit, move in “slow motion,” “freeze,” or hold on because the seating platform unit is about to spin.
Typically, the final audience member to be eliminated is given an exceptionally difficult word they are sure to miss; regardless of the spelling, the cast reacts with incredulity at their “success,” and the next word is “belled” as incorrect before the attempt is completed.
At the beginning of the show, Ms. Peretti calls the spellers to the stage and they are given badges that say “Finalist.” Throughout the show, each speller is eliminated with progressively more difficult words. The final audience participant to be eliminated is serenaded by Mitch with “Prayer of the Comfort Counselor” on-stage. Mitch also offers each eliminated finalist, whether audience member or regular character, a juice box and a hug.
FUN FACT
Julie Andrews misspelled “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious” when she was a guest speller on KIDS Night on Broadway in 2007.
The musical engages audience members as if they were attending the fictitious spelling bee. Characters, for instance, select audience members as their “family” members; Barfée periodically addresses an age-appropriate woman near the stage as “mom.” Similarly, Chip is distracted by an attractive female audience member which leads to a misspelling. He is the first contestant eliminated and then must sell snacks in the audience, akin to refreshment hawkers at a sports event. Throughout the show, other characters frequently move through the auditorium among the audience, sometimes involving them directly and occasionally breaking the “fourth wall.”
Missing Songs
The cast album features a song called “Why We Like Spelling,” performed by all the spellers. However, this song is not included in the Broadway production or the licensed productions.
Lisa Howard who played Rona Janett in the Broadway musical revealed a ballad was cut from the musical titled, “I Don’t Remember Anything” creating a romantic, melancholy atmosphere to the performance.
A song titled “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee Massacres the 12 Days of Christmas” was released online as a holiday track sung by the cast. It humorously details various events in the characters’ lives, such as Coneybear receiving two right socks named “Phil,” Olive recounting places her dad forgets her, Barfée managing his sea anemone circus in the basement, Panch’s incident with Ritalin-laced urine, Rona’s recent breakup, Mitch making calls from prison, Logainne discussing her dads and stomach ulcers, Chip’s activities with his little league baseball team, and Marcy receiving the 7th book of Moses (despite Logainne’s insistence there are only 5), while arguing with her understudy due to the regular actress, Deborah S. Craig, injuring her knee.
Conclusion
“The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” is not high drama, nor is it emotionally draining. It is warm, endearing, entertaining, clever, adorable, and quirky. This musical theater performance captures all these qualities perfectly, hitting all the right notes.
As the final word is spelled and the winner is crowned, “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” leaves the audience with a heartwarming and hilarious celebration of individuality, resilience, and the joy of learning. Each character’s unique journey, filled with quirks and triumphs, reminds us that life is as unpredictable and challenging as any spelling bee. The show’s charm, humor, and heartfelt moments create an unforgettable experience, highlighting the importance of embracing our true selves and supporting one another. With its clever writing, endearing characters, and engaging performances, “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” spells out a delightful evening of theater that resonates long after the final curtain falls.
Sources
The following is where I got my information from:
If you would like more information on the history of the Spelling Bee, here are some resources:
- Scripps National Spelling Bee
- Power Spelling
- University of Massachusetts Amherst
- Babbel
- Book Riot
- WordFinder
“The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” FAQ
About the Author
Kim M.
I am a 20 something year old who enjoys a peaceful life in the country while simultaneously living for the drama in the stories I find myself reading everyday. Before my life in the quiet countryside, I lived in a life full of chaos and drama in the world we called musical theatre.
Comments are closed