Jake Moss
Ms. Guarino
D Period Acting
2/3/15
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee as an Audience Member
The production of the 25th Annual Putnam Spelling Bee put on by the Cheshire Academy Players was one to remember. It was funny, dramatic, and intriguing through out the entire performance. The play takes place in the Gymnasium of the Putnam Valley Middle School, where a weird group of six students compete in a spelling bee that is mediated by three equally quirky adults. A fun and important aspect of the show is the calling of a couple audience members to partake in play. This makes it essential for the actors to be quick on their feet, and adjust to anything they could not practice. This also adds even more comedy to the production because the selectees are thrown into a performance with no precursor as to what is going to occur. The players did a great job of keeping it fun, staying in character, and making it flow smoothly.
The premise of the play is explore the emotions and feelings of the people competing in the spelling bee. Apart from the competition, they all live vastly different lives and feel differently towards the event. Rona Lisa Peretti is a realtor who is an active member in the Spelling Bee. She loves children, and the joy of competition they feel towards the event. She clearly recognizes the value of the spelling bee. Vice Principal Douglas Panch is a former member of the mediating council, and it is his first time returning to the council after an incident at the 20th annual Putnam Country Spelling Bee. He is infatuated with Peretti, although she does not return the same desire. Mitch Mahoney is part of the spelling bee committee as part of his community service. He is a role that adds a lot of comedy to the production. Olive Ostrovsky is a bright young participant of the spelling be. She loves to learn, and is very passionate about spelling. William Morris Barafee, the winner of the spelling bee, is an awkward kid who develops feelings for passionate Olive. He is a nerd who has a special foot method to help him spell the words. These characters are the most prominent amongst the cast.
Overall the production was very well put together and the improvisations added a special element to the comedic affect. I enjoyed watching it, and I would definitely see it again. It touches upon what drives some of the kids to participate. It is either parentally influenced or a personal choice. But both type of backgrounds make for a good story.
