In the past few years the VHS Spotlight Players have enjoyed much success with productions of such hits as Fame, Little Shop of Horrors and this past fall’s production of 12 Angry Jurors.
Now they are at it again. They will be presenting the hit musical, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee on March 7, 8 and 9 at 7:30 PM in the VHS auditorium.
The story of Spelling Bee is fairly simple. It’s about a fictional spelling bee set in the fictitious Putnam Valley Middle School. Six quirky adolescents compete in the Bee, run by three equally goofy grown-ups. Add random spelling contestants from the audience and a chorus of the Putnam County Board of Education and you have a fun and carefree evening of entertaining theater. The original production included hysterical improvisation, and this production will also include some spur of the moment laughs.
The show, which opened on Broadway in 2005, comes from the creative team of Rebecca Feldman, William Finn, Rachel Sheinkin and Jay Reiss. Soon after it became available for licensing, it has since become a popular choice for high schools to perform.
This production is directed by VHS English teacher Frances Young who also directed Little Shop of Horrors and 12 Angry Jurors. Marsha Schreier returns as musical director; choreographer Melody Williams also makes a comeback after last year choreographing Little Shop of Horrors and the entire production is produced by Dana Ahmuty.
When time came last year for the team to sit down and discuss this year’s production, ideas such as Young Frankenstein, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and Avenue Q were just a few show titles tossed around. Ultimately after discussions with those who would be participating in the production, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee was the number one choice.
“It’s a fun show and we have a lot of talented people,” Mrs. Young says, “and the main reason that we chose it is because there is no real star, so everyone gets their moment in the sun.”
Because the original version of the show implements such a small cast, Mrs. Young had to expand by adding an ensemble in the show referred to as “The Putnam Board of Education.” On Broadway, many of the actors also portrayed multiple characters. Here, Mrs.Young has found a way to use everyone in this ensemble to get equal exposure.
Even though the show is mostly a musical comedy, Mrs.Young feels as though, despite the humorous moments, the show does have an underlying meaning.
“The overall meaning is that everyone can find a place in this world,” she says, “the characters in this show are misfits and the Spelling Bee is where they can finally fit in and belong.”
Senior Gabi Latimer portrays the character of Olive Ostrovsky, a crucial role that is very different from her surrounding peers.
“My character is the one (and only) serious part of the show,” Gabi says, “the song in the second act, ‘The I Love You Song’ is beautiful and throughout the show you get to see the character learn and grow.”
Latimer has appeared in VHS productions since freshman year and cites as some of her favorite experiences performing in Back to the 80’s as well as Little Shop of Horrors. But always in the back of her mind is that this will be her final show at VHS.
“This has been my life. These people are kind of like my family. It’s sad and depressing because this might be my last time on stage. You never know what is going to happen in college and after college.”
“I am ready to say goodbye,” she says. “Of course I wish there were more shows to do but I feel like I did my job here and that I’ve left my mark.”
With opening night only a week away, the cast is currently storming through the last rehearsals. The set is nearly ready to go up and they are starting to perform in costume. Mrs. Young describes this as “polishing.” She, Mrs. Williams, and Mrs. Schreier are working hard to sharpen the scenes, songs and dance numbers. But Mrs. Young says she is very pleased with the show’s progress.
“It’s a lot better than last year,” she says, “we are more prepared, we put in more rehearsals and we literally started production on the show right around the time the fall drama ended.”
Gabi Latimer is trying to get into the right state of mind as opening night – when it all comes together – draws closer and closer.
“I will be full of adrenaline those nights. It’s bittersweet almost because I’m really excited but this is my last show.”
Gabi feels that she knows exactly how the audience will react.
“They will love it,” she says reassuringly, “people love comedy. I expect a lot of laughs. Even in rehearsal still, we crack up at what we say and at what we do because it is hysterical.”
Mrs. Young on the other hand tries not to think about how they will react.
“I have no idea how the audience is going to react,” she says, “it’s a goofy show but it does have that underlying meaning so I hope they take something away from it and all I hope is that they laugh, have fun and enjoy it.”
Tickets can be purchased at the door: $10 for adults and $8 for students and senior citizens.
The cast includes Michael Hardenberg, Gabi Latimer, Alex Karpinski , Ned Denton, Austin Williams, Maddie Meyer, Kelsey Mitchell, Jill Lanese, Gabe Riccitelli, Sophia Park, Noelle Park, Maura Cuddihy, Tabitha Chasse, Maddie Boyle, Katie Kast, Chelsi Napoli , Jessica Karpinski, Alex Fiedler, Carina Mitchell, Anthony Giuliano and Rayna Newkirk.