Theater Group Ready to Entertain

Ten young actors from the area say they are excited to amuse and interact with their audience during the upcoming Southington Community Theater musical beginning July 9.

After about 30 actors aged 18 to 30 auditioned in May, SCT Director Tony Lamberto said he's picked "the best of the best" to star in the musical "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee."

"They'e all very good, it's going to be a really great show," Lamberto said. "It's a comedy that's hilariously funny, has incredible songs, and involves audience participation, which makes for some great ad libbing."

Appropriate for middle-school aged-children and up, the musical conveys the experience of six adolescent outsiders vying for the spelling championship of a lifetime.

Aside from the cast of 10 actors from Southington and nearby towns, the crew includes a musical ensamble of former Southington High School band players who volunteered to perform live music for the show.

Lamberto said the summer theater group mostly consists of college students who don't  have time to act during the school year. This year the actors requested the show times be extended by a week, because it seemed like one weekend of shows went by too fast.

"It just seems like they should be able to do more shows after all that practice," Lamberto said. "They come here a lot of times as strangers, but after all the time rehearsing, they become friends and it can be sad when the show's all done."

"I like this group because it's a different feel, with older people in the show," 17-year old Daniel Dietz said.

Kayla Teel is a returning community theater star, taking a role in Chicago last year. She's involved because she's always loved acting and is currently majoring in acting at Central Connecticut State University.

"It's so fun," Teel, 20, said. "I've always loved acting since I was little, and then I met some people in high school that got me into it, and I've never stopped since then."

Also a returning community theater actress, Jessica Wolf said she's excited about the show's debut. She acted a different part in the same show previously, but this time she has more lines.

"I wouldn't say I get really nervous, but it's really exciting," Wolf said.

The show will serve as Lamberto's directing debut. He's acted in many shows previously, and felt it was time to try his hand in a different role.

"I've alway loved acting, and with something like community theater, I like being able to bring the arts to the community, where it's a quality show, and affordable," Lamberto said.

The show will take place July 9, 14, 15 and 16 at 7:30 p.m. at Hatton Elementary School, 50 Spring Lake Road, Southington. There will also be a matinee performance on July 10 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $12 in advance and $15 at the door, and are available at Just For You Country Gifts, 979 Meriden-Waterbury Road, The Music Shop, 405 Queen Street, and at the door.