25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee

GALLERY

25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee

Music and Lyrics by William Finn                                           Book by Rachel Sheinkin

Conceived by Rebecca Feldman  Additional Material by Jay Reiss
Originally Directed on Broadway by James Lapine 
Originally produced on Broadway by
David Stone, James L. Nederlander, Barbara Whitman, Patrick Catullo,
Barrington Stage Company, Second Stage Theatre

2012 

How do you spell B-R-O-A-D-W-A-Y- H-I-T? The show ran for over two years on Broadway and gained two Tony awards in the process. Recently it played a very successful season in London at the Donmar Warehouse – this is the first professional production in England since that run. 

This riotous musical comedy is guaranteed to have you cachinnating (use it in a sentence, request a definition?). Six kids face off in the battle of their lives. The competition is intense. The words are outrageous.

Three adults adjudicate the proceedings: a nostalgic former spelling bee winner, a mildly insane Vice Principal and The Official Comfort Counsellor completing his community service to the State of New York. Both tender and sardonic, this hilarious musical of overachievers’ angst brings you inside the spelling championship to end them all where the participants learn that winning isn’t everything and that losing doesn’t necessarily make you a loser!

“Can you spell irresistable? Drat! I mean, i-r-r-e-s-i-s-t-i-b-l-e? …precisely the word for this entirely adorable new musical.” —The New York Times

“It’s spelled W-O-N-D-E-R-F-U-L” Wall Street Journal

VIDEO

REVIEWS

Creative Team


Producer/DirectorJohn Martin
Choreographer /Assistant Director Johnny Bowles
Musical Director Tom Carradine

 

Cast


Rona Lisa Perretti/Olive’s MumJenna Boyd
Chip TolentinoMatthew Crowe
Logainne Schwarteandgrubenniere/Leaf’s MumLydia Jenkins
Leaf Coneybear/Carl Dad Chris Theo Cook
William Barfee/Leaf’s DadRalph Bogard
Marcy Park/Leaf’s SisterCarly Thoms
Olive OstrovskyScarlett Fawcett
Vice Principal Douglas PanchJohn Martin
Mitch Mahoney/Dan Dad/ Olive’s Dad Jamie Anderson

Band 


Musical Director / PianoTom Carradine
Keyboards Tim Davies
Drums / PercussionRich Craig
Clarinet /Flute /Alto Sax /Oboe Elaine Booth
Cello James Greenfield

Director's Notes

I have wanted to produce this show since the first time I saw it on Broadway – it has taken me nearly three years to secure the rights – but we now have the first professional production in England since the Donmar Warehouse last year.

I think it is both hysterically funny and touching – and perfectly captures that “ugly duckling” moment when we are all growing up and trying to find our place in the world. It touches on the human condition and if you should think that you are being encouraged to laugh at these spellers – please listen carefully to the epilogues!  

 I am amazed and delighted at the calibre and talent of the cast for this show – many of whom have appeared in major musicals in London and on tour. I do not believe there has been a production quite like this at Trinity before – a professional production of a Broadway hit with a live band for a week’s run. It is a real testimony to the quality of the show that it has attracted such wonderful actors and singers. To cap it all they are lovely people and have been a joy to work with.

I must pay tribute to Tom (MD) and Jonny (Choreographer /AD ) who have been my collaborators and have brought their expertise and good humour and we have truly all been “on the same page”!  

I am also excited that my first professional production also supports Trinity’s ambitions of exploring the possibility of originating work” This excitement has also extended to the staff and volunteers at Trinity and their support and encouragement has been amazing and they are a terrific team to work with.     

So without further ado please spell CACHINNATION!

(Definition: – raucous laughter

Use in a sentence:- Billy’s doctor said that cachinnation not Prozac is the best medicine, so prescribed two tickets to the 25th Annual Putnam Country Spelling Bee!)

Production Credits 


Set DesignerAndy Newell
Lighting Designer Jack Kelly
Stage Manager Fran Pepper
Assistant Stage Managers Karen Woodward & Kate Ashford
Sound OperatorJack Wren
Lighting Operators Jack Kelly & George Dyer
Follow Spot Operator Will Fox
Costumes and PropertiesPatsy Dale
Hair supervision The Gallery thegallerytw.co.uk
Publicity and MarketingDarren Smallman
Publicity Photography Taylor Fawcett
Production PhotographyDavid Fawcett
Online Video ProductionConal O’Brine pavemar.co.uk

 

Produced in association with Trinity Theatre www.trinitytheatre.net

CONTACT

To get in touch with John and to be updated with news of future productions please enter your email below