SHS Presents The 25th Annual Putman County Spelling Bee

Can six peculiar adolescents find happiness while competing in a spelling bee run by three equally eccentric grownups? The answer lies in the musical comedy The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee presented by the Stratford High School Drama Society, on April 1 (7:30 p.m.) and April 2 (2:30 p.m. and 7:30 pm.) in the Stratford High School Auditorium. All seats are $14 and can be ordered by calling 203.380.6777 (ext. 1234) for visiting https://www.stratfordk12.org/stratfordhigh or shsdramasociety@stratk12.org. TICKETS ARE ALSO AVAILABLE AT THE DOOR

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is a musical comedy with music and lyrics by William Finn and book by Rachel Sheinkin. The show focuses on a spelling bee set in Putnam Valley Middle School (state unknown) and the antics that ensue among the six participants and the adults supervising the event. An unusual aspect of the show is having several audience members on stage to compete in the spelling bee along-side the characters. The 2005 Broadway production of the show was nominated for six Tony awards, winning two.

"The play is all about breaking the fourth wall. It's a funny and engaging story of a spelling bee, that examines the quirky lives of those involved in it,” said SHS senior Tyler Tripodi, who plays William Barfee. "William Barfee is a loner and a know it all. He has a very nasally voice due to him only being able to breathe through one nostril, and he doesn't get along well with others. In order to prepare for this role I spent a lot of time reading lines while holding my nose."

"This show is a hilarious comedy that always leaves you to wonder what will happen next, there’s a bunch of twist and turns and you'll always feel a different emotion during the whole show,” added SHS senior Seth Jimenez, who plays Chip Tolentino . “The songs are fun and catchy and it's just a great show to watch with the family. I promise you won't be disappointed."

The cast includes Chip Tolentino/Jesus (Seth Jimenez); Logainne Schwartzandgrubenniere (Mackenzie Snyder); Leaf Coneybear/Carl Dad (Nick Ferrari); William Barfee/Leaf’s Dad (Tyler Tripodi); Marcy Park (Maggie Schumann); Olive Ostrovosky (Olivia Orris); Rona Lisa Perretti/Olive’s Mom (Lauren Eyerman); Vice Principal Douglas Panch (Alex Bilan); Mitch Mahoney/Dan Dad/Olive’s Dad (Matt Coutinho); Leaf’s Mom (Amelie McCool) and Leaf’s Sister Brook (Kate Miller). Special thanks to members of the stage crew for standing in as audience spellers in our rehearsals.

Of course, no show can be a success without the backstage crew, and this production’s unsung heroes are led by seniors Rebecca DePietro (production stage manager, technical director) and Sabrina Tripodi (stage manager, art director, set designer).

“It is a awesome thing (stage crew) to be a part of because we are who makes the cast and stage look good and ready to go. There would be no show without the crew,” Sabrina said.

Rebecca added that "My best experience working backstage has been getting to work with such a diverse, amazing group of people. Whether it be other students, or people I've met through tech aspects of crew, meeting so many people has been an amazing experience."

The production’s stage crew includes Nalanie Acosta; Jide Anekwe; Ethan Butz; Rebecca DePietro; Jalynn Gonzalez (clear com); Ally Ingersoll (spotlight); Hayley Ivanko (light); Lucas Jenkins (sound); Chloe Leimgruber (lights); Tucker Nightingale (clear com/breaker room); David Pacheco; Sarah Shein; Aiden Snyder (clear com-house); Victoria Troilo; Sabrina Tripodi; Kelsey Welch (sound); and El Youngquist.

For the Tyler, Seth, Rebecca and Sabrina – the seniors in the cast – this show brings to a close their runs with the Stratford Drama Society.

“My most memorable moment on the SHS Stage is definitely learning how to navigate all of the insane technology in the facility,” Rebeca said. “I have learned so much in the span of a year and I would not trade that for the world.”

Sabrina said that she would “take away the many memories and experiences I have and also the knowledge I have gained.”

“I think if i would take anything from this experience,” Seth added, “It would be that it's important to have friends who can push you to be the best you can because sometimes it's really hard to do that on your own.”

"I will take away the ability to work with all manners of people,” Tyler said. “Being in drama society for four years I've been in every position, from brand new freshman, to senior and president. With this in mind, I've figured out how to talk to people in all types of situations.

"The most memorable moment on the SHS stage for me, didn't come on the SHS stage.” He continued. “It was during the Stratford High production of Charley's Aunt, which was performed on the Wooster stage. During the performance, I had to wear a dress, and I remember the crowd's reaction every night like it was yesterday.

The Stratford High School Drama Society will present The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee on April 1 (7:30 p.m.) and April 2 (2:30 p.m. and 7:30 pm.) in the Stratford High School Auditorium. All seats are $14 and can be ordered by calling 203.380.6777 (ext. 1234) for visiting https://www.stratfordk12.org/s... or shsdramasociety@stratk12.org.

# # #