BC Players Open Season with Award Winning Musical

The kicked off their 2011-12 season with the multiple Tony and Drama Desk Award-winning musical The 25^th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.

Featuring a book by Rachel Sheinkin with music and lyrics by William Finn, The 25^th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is performed under the direction of Larry Landsman at the Little Firehouse Theatre in Oradell from September 10 through October 2, with shows at 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. on Sundays. An additional performance is scheduled for Sunday, September 25 at 7 p.m., and a special, adults-only “blue” performance at 11 p.m. on Friday, September 30.

This tuneful, offbeat and at times heartwarming show also offers interactive fun, giving audience members the opportunity (strictly voluntary) to become part of the action as on-stage spellers. Anyone interested in being a guest speller should arrive at the theater 45 minutes prior to curtain.

The hit musical is about the unlikeliest group of heroes: a quirky yet charming cast of outsiders for whom a spelling bee is the one place where they can stand out and fit in at the same time.  

Meet Chip Tolentino, a cocky Boy Scout and champion of the 24^th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, returning to defend his title; Leaf Coneybear, a gentle soul and unlikely contestant who was second-runner up at his regional spelling bee; William Morris Barfée, whose untimely allergic reaction to peanuts knocked him from last year’s Bee; Logainne Schwartzandgrubenierre, a perky young liberal with two competitive dads; Olive Ostrovsky, a lonely young newcomer to competitive spelling who made friends with her dictionary at an early age; and Marcy Park, a sleep-deprived Catholic School overachiever who speaks six languages and is tired of always winning.  

Chaperoning these young contestants are former Putnam County Spelling Bee winner and returning moderator of the Bee, Rona Lisa Perretti; Vice Principal Douglas Panch, who returns after a five-year hiatus to serve as judge of the Bee; and ex-convict and official Comfort Counselor for the Bee, Mitch Mahoney.

The 25^th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is directed by long-time BCP member Larry Landsman of Wyckoff, who asserts that the unique quality of the show does not end with the characters.  

“This is not your ordinary musical theater piece,” said Landsman. “The authors realized that the improvisational feel of the piece provides much of the fun, so there are topical references, quick ‘jump cuts’ and character fantasies that seem to spring out of nowhere – techniques that we often see in film and TV, but are not often seen on stage. But in the midst of the mayhem, music, and laughter, it brings us back to those terrible and wonderful, middle school years and the beginning of the journey to discover who we are.”

Landsman has amassed numerous acting and directing credits with BCP, directing musicals The Full Monty and Into the Woods and appearing most recently on the BCP stage as The Cat in the Hat in Seussical the Musical, Ira in Laughter on the 23rd Floor, Ivan in Art and Fagin in Oliver! He also served as BCP president for two years.

“It’s impossible to resist,” added Landsman.  “When I first saw this show, I was stunned not just by its incredible sense of humor, but by how much it truly affected me. You don’t just laugh at these sharp, kooky characters – you really come to care about them.”

A talented cast brings these “kooky characters” to life. Chip Tolentino is played by Timothy Meola of Flanders, who was last seen on the BCP stage in two productions last season, as Benjamin in From Screen to Stage and as Paul in Company. Brad Forenza (Ridgewood), who plays Leaf Coneybear, has performed in several BCP productions including One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest and Urinetown.  

Several BCP newcomers also join the cast, including Phil Sloves (Fair Lawn) as William Morris Barfée, Elaine Thoman (Ridgewood) as Logainne Schwartzandgrubenniere, Lena Grotticelli (Mahwah) as Olive Ostrovsky, and Louanna Factora (Flushing, NY) as Marcy Park.

Rounding out the cast are BCP veterans Nancy Feldman of New City, NY as Rona Lisa Perretti, and Jim Lugo of Congers, NY as Vice Principal Douglas Panch, with Jeff Foote of Denville making his BCP debut as Mitch Mahoney.

Some content not appropriate for pre-teens.

TICKET AND SCHEDULE INFORMATION

• All performances take place at The Little Firehouse Theatre at 298 Kinderkamack Road in Oradell, home to the Bergen County Players since 1949.
• Tickets for The 25^th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee are $21 for all performances, and can be purchased online at www.bcplayers.org, by calling 201-261-4200 or by visiting the box office at 298 Kinderkamack Road in Oradell during regular box office hours. Visa, Master Card, and American Express are accepted.
• Those interested in Group Sales of 20 or more tickets can call (201) 262-0515.
• As it has for the past few seasons, BCP will continue to offer a “Questions & Artists” (Q&A) discussion following select performances. The Spelling Bee Q&A will kick off immediately following the Friday, September 16 performance. Admission is included in the cost of the ticket.
• Student Rush tickets are available for $5 for students age 25 and under with valid ID, 30 minutes prior to curtain. One ticket per ID. Cash only. Students can also guarantee their seats in advance either online or through the box office for the special student price of just $14. 
• Parking is free at the Park Avenue municipal lot, across the street, one-half block north of the theater.