LINDEN — The search for entertainment this weekend stops at North Montgomery.
Beginning today and running through Saturday, North Montgomery’s music and theater departments will present The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee in the school’s auditorium.
Despite the name, nearby Putnam County is not involved. Instead, the little-known Broadway play centers around a spelling bee set in a geographically ambiguous middle school called Putnam Valley.
Playing the lead role of William Barfee will be senior Lane Bradley, who has been involved with theater programs since middle school.
“I didn’t know much about the show when I auditioned, but I thought ‘let’s see where this goes,’” Bradley said, noting this will be his last acting role as a Charger. “You start to feel the character really setting in about a week before the show, and I’ve definitely felt it. It’s an interesting show. There aren’t ‘scenes’ exactly; it’s one continuous set pretty much throughout the entire thing. It’s really unique.”
Another aspect that makes this production unique, Director Mike Melvin said, is crowd interaction. At different points during the performance, members of the audience will have the chance to join cast members on stage for a “live” spelling bee competition.
“Originally, the play is about six spellers, and each of them teach us something different along the way,” Melvin said. “Whether they win or lose, you can learn something from them.
“But one cool thing we did with our show is that it’s partially an improv-comedy,” he continued. “Every night — Thursday, Friday and Saturday — we’re going to need four audience members to come on stage and spell with us. So, each night is going to be a little different.”
Melvin also spoke of the student-led, live orchestra which will provide music during the production.
The efforts of every student involved receive full credit for the large production, Melvin said.
“These guys really do an excellent job — we have a fantastic cast and crew here,” he said. “One cool thing we did is that, originally, the cast is supposed to be small with nine characters, but we have a cast of 30, so we added a chorus to it which adds a cool element to the show and gives every student a chance to shine.”
Another senior getting her chance to shine is Tori Talley, who will have one more performance at the end of the school year in a senior-directed production titled The Unmerry Adventures of Robin Hood.
Talley, who will play the supporting character Marie Keaton, has come a long way in both the music and theater departments, she said.
“My first year I was in the pit with the orchestra, and then I started acting after my freshman year,” Talley said. “Seniors (at the time) were convincing me that I needed to ‘do this right now.’ It was like peer pressure, but in a good way.”
The show, set to run today through Saturday, is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. each night. Tickets will be available at the door at $8 for adults and $5 for children.
Asked if she was nervous about the upcoming show, Talley said, “I’m sure it’s going to be fantastic.”
“And I’m super excited. It’s just the I-hope-I-get-everything-right jitters.”
Other cast and crew members making the performance possible include: Alecsandra Baldwin, Rylan Dowell, Emerson Boaz, Harmon Hann, Amanda Heline, P.J. Miller, Lily Dockins, Liberty Owens, Haley Sommer, Cameron Tyo, Cora DeLaCruz, Clayton Tyo, Cassie Bone, Jordan Crull, Shelby Kammerer, Grace Runyan, Bryce Sommer, Kendall Williamson, Jackie Carlisle, Aavree Doughty, Haley Evans, Lilly Northcutt, Madi Perigo, Alli Roche, Jillian Sommer, Olivia Anglin, Teegan Bacon, Claire Bonwell, Joy Davis, Sam Douma, Ben Eldridge, Zack Hall, Sam Knowling, Meagan Lyon, Lilly McKinniss, Chloe Pate, Kenzie Stage, Amanda Boyd, Kyle Hartzog, Kevin Brooks, Libby Allen, Jordan Hunley and Jeff Goodspeed.
The play, directed by Melvin, is also made possible by Music Director Sarah Kavanagh, Choreographer Megan Birk, Orchestra Conductor Andy Simpkins and Dance Captain Abi Eutsler.
For more information, contact the high school at 765-362-5140.
