This year, FHS students will be performing the musical “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,” created by Rebecca Feldman and based on the book by Rachel Sheinkin, with music and lyrics by William Finn and additional material by Jay Reiss, for April 7 through April 9, after school at 7 p.m. in the Shannon Theater. Since the auditions in January, students have been working hard for months during their rehearsals to perform this exciting musical for the school and community.
“The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” is a musical comedy that consists of two acts, and is the story of six middle school students, Chip Tolentino, Logainne Schwarzandgrubenniere, Leaf Coneybear, William Barfée, Olive Ostrovsky and Marcy Park, each winners from their own district’s spelling bee, coming to Putnam County to compete against one another. The audience learns the backstories of each of the characters and follows their experiences in the spelling bee throughout the musical. As the story progresses, the characters also learn more about themselves and each other as well.
“I’m most excited about performing because that’s what it’s all about,” FHS sophomore Harper Roth said.
Roth will be playing the character Chip in the musical. The musical features many songs that will be sung by the students, to add to the show’s atmosphere and fit the plot of each scene. For example, “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” is played as the opening song, along with other upbeat and energetic songs such as “Pandemonium” and “Woe is Me” that will be played during various other parts of the musical.
“My experience with this musical was good because it’s enjoyable and the music is fun,” FHS sophomore Anna Proskuryakova said.
For this musical, all students were able to audition for a part in the show, including students who were not currently in a drama or theater class at FHS. This allowed students from all grade levels and with various levels of acting experience to come together to be in the show.
“My overall experience with this musical has been really great,” Roth said. “I knew most of the people who are in this musical, but I just got to grow so much closer to the entire cast. [I got to] meet some new people who are new to Fremont theater and work with so many talented actors, singers and dancers.”
Additionally, the cast will wear different costumes for the characters that they are playing. The costumes will help portray who the character is and fit their personalities.
“I’m wearing a Boy Scout shirt and khaki shorts,” Roth said.
Rehearsals for “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” started in early January after the auditions and will continue until the final upcoming performances of the musical. Students have been coming in after school for multiple hours to practice for this show.
“[Rehearsals have] been a bit intensive since I’ve had less time to do homework,” Roth said. “But it’s totally worth it, because I get to perform with an absolutely amazing group of people and I get to help make a really lovely show.”
