Cast members for ‘The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee’ rehearse last week in preparation for the March performance. Marilyn Boettger | Special to The R-C
“It was truly heartbreaking to be one week from opening to have to cancel the show because of COVID lockdowns,” said Douglas High School English and Drama teacher Amy Sando. “But we’re excited for its return.”
The production is a collaboration with the Carson Valley theatre and the high school bringing in cast members of different ages and experiences in addition to musical directors Mark Porter who is the music director at the high school, University of Reno student of Opera Cameron Tolbert, Douglas High School junior and student director Freddie Baker and Choreographer Francesca Melander.
“That’s what makes this such an ensemble cast, each have their own stories and the diversity and experiences of our cast capture that,” said Sando.
Cast members called it a “quirky musical,” following six very different and awkward spelling champions who learn that winning or losing isn’t everything while discovering who they are, overcoming inner and outer demons and creating friendships along the way.
“Everyone wants to win, of course, but end up finding out things about themselves through a series of whacky events,” said Ryan Stockton who plays Leaf Coneybear in the musical.
Based on the book by Rachel Sheinkin and adopted from the musical “C-R-E-P-U-S-C-U-L-E” by Rebecca Feldman “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” is set in a geographically ambiguous Putnam Valley Middle School gym where six quirky adolescents compete in the Bee, run by three equally quirky grown-ups.
“This comedy musical has so much to keep you entertained with its unique and lovable characters, witty one-liners and touching moments,” said Sando.
In the musical the tweens vie for the spelling championship of a lifetime, while candidly disclosing hilarious and touching stories from their home lives and spelling their way through a series of (potentially made-up) words, hoping never to hear the soul-crushing, pout inducing, life un-affirming “ding” of the bell that signals a spelling mistake.
“The music throughout emotes the story and the emotion is changing constantly,” said Tolbert.
Sando said the musical has been one she has wanted to put on for several years, even before the cancelation in 2020.
“I fell in love with this musical the first time I saw it several years ago and each time after that,” said Sando. “I laughed out loud, teared up a few times and grinned throughout.”
Sando has directed a few musicals in the past, including “Grease” and “The Little Shop of Horrors,” but the drama room at the high school is not equipped to accommodate to such productions, she said.
“Musicals are difficult at the high school, because we don’t have the space to accommodate live music, too many changes in sets, or the dressing room space, so most of what we’ve done has been with minimum sets and costumes,” said Sando. “Having the opportunity to collaborate with the Carson Valley Community Theatre and use the CVIC Hall gives us more freedom to do something different.”
Sando, music directors, the cast, and the Carson Valley Community Theatre are excited to be working together on the musical and are looking forward to sharing the production with the community.
Opening night will be 7:30 p.m. March 18 at the CVIC Hall in Minden. Cost for general admission is $22 pre-sale, $25 at-the-door and $20 seniors/students. Tickets are available at www.showtix4u.com or at the CVCT box office located at 1572 Highway 395 N in Minden. For more information visit carsonvalleycomunitytheatre.org or call 782-6622.
