Auditions for “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” Announced

The Greeneville Theatre Guild announces auditions for its first musical production The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. The salacious Broadway comedy will be the third production of the Guild’s 2016 season. The show is a riotous musical comedy centering around six spelling virtuosos, all of whom are vying for the coveted spelling bee championship and all its spoils. With a hysterical book by Rachel Sheinkin and an upbeat score by William Finn, the show received both Tony and Drama Desk Awards during its Broadway run, which lasted for more than 1,000 performances. The show contains some mild adult humor, and due to the mature content of the production, those auditioning must be at least 18 years of age.

Roles are available for four men and four women with an additional role that could be male or female. Singing is required for all roles, but the character of Mr. Panch does not require a strong singing voice. Please see character descriptions below for details.

Auditions will be held at 250 W. Depot Street on Sunday, April 24 at 2:00p.m. and Monday, April 25 at 6:00p.m. with callbacks scheduled for Tuesday, April 26 at 6:00p.m. Those wishing to audition should prepare a Broadway, or similar style song, no more than 16 bars in length, and be prepared to read scenes from the script. Those auditioning are also asked to please bring a digital copy of their background music either on CD or MP3 player, if accompaniment is needed.

The show is being directed by Brian Ricker with show dates on June 17, 18, 19 and 24, 25, 26 at the historic Capitol Theatre in downtown Greeneville. Rehearsals will typically be held three evenings per week beginning with the first week of May until show dates. Those wishing to audition will be asked to list any scheduling conflicts during this time period. For more information regarding auditions please contact the Guild at 423-470-2792.

Character Descriptions and Vocal Ranges

The Spellers (Typically actors in the 20’s to 40’s age range)

William Barfee
Eb3 – Bb4 Tenor
A finalist in last year’s Bee, he spells using his “magic foot” and has no interest in making friends at the bee.

Olive Ostrovsky
B3 – F5 Soprano
The heart of the show, Olive is basically deserted at the bee. Her mom is in ashram in India and her dad never shows up, even after promising that, this time, he’ll try to make it. Her best friend is a dictionary.

Leaf Coneybear
A2 – G4 Baritone or Tenor
As just the second runner-up in his district’s bee, he really shouldn’t be competing here. He makes his own clothes, is home schooled with his hippy parents and siblings, and lacks social skills. He’s strange but very sweet, loving, and kindhearted but distracted.

Marcy Park
B3 – E5 Soprano/Mezzo-Soprano
Marcy is the most feared and practiced competitor in the bee. She made it all the way to ninth place in Nationals last year and is back to win again. She sleeps three hours a night, speaks six languages, and does not recognize her own lack of humor. She is incredibly intense.

Logaine Schwartzandgrubenierre
C4 – D5 Soprano
Logaine is the youngest and most politically-aware speller, often making comments about current political figures and her mature world views. She has two overbearing gay dads who have turned her neurotic and self-conscious. She speaks with a lisp though has a real confidence about her at times.

Chip Tolentino
C3 – B4 Tenor
Last year’s Putnam County champ who begins to learn the ups and downs of puberty during the bee. He is strong willed, competitive, ambitious, and – most of all – very horny. This role has some of the most difficult singing in the show and requires long sustained high notes.

The ‘Adults’ (Typically actors from age 25 to 50)

Vice Principal Douglas Patch
Non-singing (but can be added to ensemble numbers if actor can sing)
He was involved in an “incident” at the Twentieth Annual Bee that got him removed from the judging panel. He returns this year in “a better place,” thanks to a high-fiber diet and Jungian analysis. He is infatuated with Rona Lisa Peretti. Impeccable comic timing and the ability to improv are both needed for this character.

Rona Lisa Peretti
C4 – A5 Soprano
This former Spelling Bee champ is not only the county’s top realtor, she also runs a highly lucrative eBay business, selling sensible pumps at sensible prices. She is incredibly kind to the spellers, having been in their shoes many years earlier. Should have both a high belt and improv skills. Along with Panch, she guides the comedy of the show and the audience volunteers.

Mitch/Madge Mahoney
E3 – A4 (B4) Tenor
This former felon is fulfilling his/her court ordered community service at the bee and acting as the bee’s “comfort counselor,” handing out juice boxes and a dose of reality to the losers. He/she comes across as scary and tough but is really a big softy deep down.