Vincent's Views: Where in the World did the “25th Annual Putnum County Spelling Bee” Come From?
By Vincent Pinti on October 14, 2016 from Vincent’s Views
Bridgeport High School is very fortunate to have had such amazing productions each year, though they never could have been possible without the outstanding work of select individuals. Director Gregg Brown and producer Alice Rowe have been with the Bridgeport High School Theatre Department for many, many years. Brown has directed approximately 35 shows at our school, while Mrs. Rowe has been the producer of about 30 plays. For the most part, they make the final decision of what two plays Bridgeport will debut each year. Most years, this is an extremely difficult call to make since it depends on criteria that varies each year. This year, our Fall Production is “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” and it has many people pondering, what in the world is that?
Director Brown said that he chose this show, “because it was a fast-paced show that has every character on stage for the majority of the time. This show also allows many of the actors and actresses in the play to learn some improvisational skills. I really liked this show since it is very fun and comedic.”
He also went on to say that he originally heard of this show when watching a musical number from “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” on the Tony’s, a number of years ago. Brown had found the show fascinating and that it felt like this would have been a great year for its unveiling at our school.
He would like to add that he hopes the cast has fun with it and that this show allows them to build their character developmental skills and enhance some of their theatrical qualities. There were a lot of varying benchmarks the kids would have had to meet in order to make the cut. They had to sing for the position they were trying out for, since this is a musical. There is a lot of individual characterization that a person would have had to meet during read-throughs. Also, their physical or vocal abilities would have had to match the part they were trying out for.
He would finish by saying that he hopes that many people will come out and watch the show in November. “It will make you feel happy, rejuvenated and that it will be a very great occasion,” he added.
Mrs. Rowe, however, was not very familiar with the show at first and became interested when some of her students talked about it after seeing it for the first time at the International Thespian Festival in Lincoln, Nebraska this past summer. One of the students who had gotten to see was senior, Noah Hall, and word spread quickly about this show by drama guru, Nikki DeWitt.
“Though, all in all I knew it was a fun comedy with many relatable characters, and it will be a blast no matter what,” said DeWitt.
The current Thespian president Noah Hall did get to see the show at the festival. “I was first introduced to this show when I attended the International Thespian Festival. I really enjoyed the show. The show went very well, and I believe the show was displayed by a troupe from Texas.”
He went on to say how thrilled he was to be selected to the role he wanted. Hall is currently feeling a bit overwhelmed, but at the same time very excited.
All in all, Bridgeport is preparing for a laugh filled show that everyone should attend in early November. So please come witness our outstanding cast in our Fall Production of, “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.”
Editor's Note: Vincent Pinti is a 15-year-old- sophomore at Bridgeport High School. He is the son of Donna Booth and Jon Pinti. A students in Mrs. Alice Rowe's journalism program, he would like to pursue a career in international law and political science.
