’Spelling Bee’ kicks off Theatre By The Sea’s season
Theatre By The Sea in Matunuck is kicking off their 2011 summer season with "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee," which runs through June 19, 2011.
The Tony Award-winning show focuses on six adolescent overachievers who are vying for the spelling championship of a lifetime. Not only do they compete against each other, but also they compete against members of the audience.
Broadway performer Lisa Yuen, who was in the original Broadway company of the show, will not only be playing the role of Marcy Park, but also will choreograph the production as well. Yuen also played Christine Colgate in Theatre By The Sea’s production of "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels" (2009).
"The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" "shows the highs and lows of what it’s like to compete," explains Director Amiee Turner. "It’s an honest look at the challenges we all go through."
"The thing I love most about (the show) is that it is completely honest," Turner continued. "It looks at life though the lenses of these kids in a way we can all relate to."
Turner also notes the show is funny yet poignant at the same time. The story demonstrates how luck can play a part in an individual’s fate, more often than skill.
"Sometimes the best person doesn’t always win," Turner explained. "There’s different ways we can deal with the stress and dramas of life."
Turner has a lot of confidence in the cast of actors involved in the production, which include Cary Michele Miller, who portrays Olive Ostrovsky; Michael J. Borges as Leaf Coneybear, and Ocean State Follies cast member Michael Johnson in the role of Douglas Panch.
Steve Gagliastro will be playing William Barfee and recent Emerson graduate Nathan Chang has been cast as Chip Tolentino.
Members of the audience are asked to play a role in the spelling bee, which makes the production unique as well as an additional challenge for the actors.
"They’re put into some of the production numbers, they’re given words to spell. There’s a spontaneity to the piece that you have to be prepared for," Turner added.
"The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" will be presented at Theatre By The Sea from June 1 - 19. Previews are scheduled for Wednesday, June 1 at 8:00 pm and Thursday, June 2 at 2:00 and 8:00 pm. Opening weekend performances will be held on Friday at 8:00 pm, Saturday at 4:30 and 8:30 pm and Sunday at 3:00 and 8:00 pm. All other performances will be held Tuesday through Friday evenings at 8:00 pm, Thursdays at 2:00 pm, Saturdays at 4:30 and 8:30 pm and Sundays at 5:00 pm.
The theatre is located at 364 Cards Pond Road, Matunuck, RI. Tickets are $35 for preview performances and $39-$54 for all other performances. Discount rates for groups of 20 or more are available by calling (401) 782-3800 x18. Rush tickets are available on a limited basis one hour prior to curtain on the day of the performance. Tickets are on sale at the box office Monday through Saturday from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm, online anytime at www.theatrebythesea.com and via telephone during normal box office hours by calling (401) 782-TKTS (8587). The box office will also be open one hour prior to every performance.
