HANCEVILLE, Ala. – The Wallace State Community College Theatre Program presented their production of the 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee March 18-20. The play debuted on Broadway in 2005 and is soon to be adapted into a film by Disney. The beloved quirky characters were created by Rachel Sheinkin with music and lyrics by William Finn. The play won two Tony Awards, including Best Book, and the album was nominated for a Grammy.
The interactive play kept the cast and audience paying attention as volunteers from the audience were chosen to participate in the spelling bee. The cast played a group of sixth graders all determined to win the spelling bee for their own reasons. The many difficulties of the contestants were uncovered as they struggled through a challenging time in their lives while trying to achieve greatness. Each contestant reveals their own motivations through touching and catchy musical numbers.
Sweet and shy Olive brings her only friend (her dictionary) with her to the bee, having to take the bus herself since her parents couldn’t make it. Bold and hyperallergic William Barfee needs to win because he only feels confident in his intellectual prowess, former champion Chip tries to live up to his past glory, second alternate Leaf wants to make himself noticed amongst his many siblings, overachiever Marcy becomes disappointed by her consistent success, and Logainne only wants to impress her mom’s. Each member becomes loved by the audience as they battle to be the number one speller.
The cast for Wallace State’s production is made up mostly of current students, but also includes a few faculty and staff. The cast list includes:
- Isabel Newby of Cullman as Rona Lisa Perretti, the moderator
- Paul Minda of Hanceville as Vice Principal Douglas Panch, the official pronouncer
- Jairus Williams of Decatur as Mitch Mahoney, the Official Comfort Counselor
Spellers:
- Alex Bragwell of Albertville as Chip Tolentino
- Isaac Hollis of Oneonta as Leaf Coneybear
- Eli Baker of Gardendale as William Barfée
- Tori Dahlgren of Gardendale as Olive Ostrovsky
- Melinda Marcum of Oneonta as Logainne Schwartzandgrubennier
- Courtney Bryant of Decatur as Marcy Park
Other cast members include Grace Ashley of Florence, Jacob Keisler of Cleveland, Bethany Sartain of Hayden, Em Sharp of Bremen and Kit Smith and Marcos Zapien, both of Cullman.
View the photo gallery here.
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