Download 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee

Cover Sheet
Title/Author
Studio Theatre Production Proposal, Spring 2013
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
Story and Book by Rebecca Feldman, Rachel Sheinkin and Jay Reiss
Music and Lyrics by William Finn
Production Type: Studio
Director
Greg Stowers
Rights:
Production Staff:
Choreographer:
Jessica Ice
Music Director:
Mark Thress
Publisher: Music Theatre International
Are Rights Available? Yes, Contact Established
Stage Manager:
Rachel Williams
Set Designer:
Kelly Rudolph
Lighting Designer:
Cody Whitfield
Costume/ Makeup
Designer:
Victoria Carotti
Sound Designer:
Lynnsey O’Rourke
Fees:
Royalties:
$100 - $150 per performance
6 performances = $600 - $900
Scripts:
$400 Material Rental
+$200 security deposit
Props Artisan/Manager
Rachel Belleman
Publicity:
Frannie Nejako
Total = $600 + shipping/handling
Casting:
Number of
roles
available:
9 total
5 Men
4 Women
Mature Audiences Only: Yes
Estimated Budget:
Scenery:
$700
Costumes:
$150
Publicity:
$75
Props:
$200
Makeup:
$75
Sound:
$175
Lighting:
$100
TOTAL :
$2075
($100/perf.)
(If yes, on what basis?)
$2375
Language, Some Sexual Content
($150/perf.)
Estimated Ticket Revenue (TR):
Breakeven:
(TR = $8 - $2 (Forbes) = $6)
100%
150 seats x $6 x 6 = $5400
Approx. 52% if
rights are
$100/perf.
75%
112 seats x $6 x 6 = $4032
50%
75 seats x $6 x 6 = $2700
25%
37 seats x $6 x 6 = $1350
Approx. 58% if
rights are
$150/perf.
Publishable brief synopsis:
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is a musical set in the ambiguous Putnam
Valley Middle School, concerning six pre-pubescent contestants and the three (un) qualified
adults that proctor them. All of the contestants compete for the title, with one proud winner left
standing at the final curtain. Coming from all walks of life and social backgrounds, these six
charmingly awkward contestants learn what friendship really means and victory has more than
one definition.
Faculty Advisor: Kate Arecchi
signature indicating agreement to be advisor
(required)
signature indicating written proposal has been
reviewed
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
Story and Book by Rebecca Feldman
Music and Lyrics by William Finn
Vision
Concept:
N-O-R-M-A-L. O-R-D-I-N-A-R-Y. What do these words really mean?
Originally based on a play entitled C-R-E-P-U-S-C-U-L-E, Spelling Bee is based heavily
on improvisation, with each show having endless possibilities in terms of words spelled at each
individual bee and the inclusion of four randomly selected audience members at each
performance. This spontaneity is at the core of my proposed production
At present, society is at a crossroads concerning definitions. Politicians, social forums,
teachers, students, special interest groups and the media fight daily about what the norm is in
society. Presidential candidate Mitt Romney is currently riding on a ticket hoping to preserve
what has been considered normal for many years past, while incumbent Barack Obama’s
campaign slogan is “Forward”, pursuing a “new normal”. Television shows like “Modern Family”
and “The New Normal” personify this theme and the views of a nation on the verge of major
change or stasis.
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is completely representative of this social
chaos, while being a cleverly, sometimes thinly, veiled and political metaphor. Similar to French
sotties, characters in this show appear to be fools. The contestants are all elementary or middle
school students, who just so happen to have the intelligence of the twenty-something year old
actors playing them. Dissimilar to the aforementioned farcical form, the bee participants are
aware of how society views them. They proudly proclaim, “People think were automatons, but
that is exactly what we’re not”. These “misfits” are socially conscious of how they perpetuate
stereotypes and work for and against them.
Style:
This production of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee examines larger than
life characters in a recognizable setting: a middle school gymnasium. It is this dichotomy that I
will exploit in this studio production. An example of these contradictions is the character of Chip.
Dressed as a boy scout, one would think he is honorable, a fair sport and team player. He is
anything but that, throwing candy at the audience when he is the first speller eliminated; Chip
even goes as far as to blame his error on a certain below-the-waist protuberance.
The script allows for various amounts of exaggeration through improvisation, which will
only complement the dichotomies I will explore. This show is rich with opportunities to address
the audience directly, due to the contestant’s acceptance that the audience is present to actively
watch a legitimate bee take place.
Production Aspects
Set Design:
The stage will be in an end stage configuration, given the location that the play takes
place in. Upstage, along the balcony line, will be a series of flats painted as a wall along the
gymnasium. Two swinging doors will be upstage center, from which all the contestants and
workers enter the gym. The floor is the center circle of a basketball court, complete with line
markings and skid marks from athletic footwear. Positioned stage right will be two rows of five
chairs, where the actors sit when not positioned at the microphone downstage center. Rona
Lisa Peretti and Vice Principal Doug Panch sit at a table stage left, opposite the benches. I want
to utilize the balcony for several fantasy sequences in the play. There is no need for the set to
involve moving parts. Each of these spaces defines where these people feel comfortable, on
edge, competitive and cooperative. Another aspect of set design is how to allow for easy travel
of audience members to and from the stage. Two stairs on stage left and right will lead down to
the lowest level of the audience, where the four lucky members will be able to access the stage
easily. There are several “Goodbye” musical numbers when each audience and cast member is
eliminated. These “Goodbye” segments will take place onstage, on the stairs and in the
audience. My goal is to redefine the audience/ cast relationship in the studio theatre with how I
orient the audience’s participation in the musical.
Lighting Design:
The function of lighting in this production is to highlight the moods of the characters, as
each contestant has his or her own song/s in which their internal motivations are brought to
light. I want the lighting to complement the world in which each of the characters live. I have
designated certain hues to a character, such as Olive’s lavender, which will allow the audience
to experience brief transportations to the minds of the characters themselves and displaying the
definitions that these characters use for themselves. These hues will also create stark contrast
between characters, as well as a contrast between the gymnasium’s atmospheric lighting and
the intuitive lighting the character’s imagine lands on their faces. The goal is to create a warm
and accepting environment in which these insecure and socially inept characters will finally feel
“almost normal”.
Costume Design:
Each of these characters has a distinct way of dressing themselves. For example, Leaf
makes his own clothing, while Marcy wears her former Catholic School uniform. The contestants
define themselves from the clothing they choose to wear, right down to the Obama: 2012 pin
Logainne wears on the breast of her jacket. After talking with Kathleen Conery, I have been
given permission to potentially borrow various costume pieces from stock. Mrs. Conery
described various acoutrements that could emphasize the childlike qualities of these tiny
contestants. Olive could be dressed in oversized parachute pants that only help to make her
look more like the underdog that she is in the competition. Costumes will also be pulled from
actors’ closets will also be perused, but only pieces that reflect the same qualities of the
borrowed stock costumes. I want the actors to live in their clothing, rather than feeling like they
are wearing a costume. While the actors might be wearing unusual outfits, these characters
they are playing see nothing peculiar in their clothing. The actual physical size of the actors cast
in the production is not a huge concern, as these costumes can help to mask, exaggerate or
negate their actual physical appearances. There are a few minor costume changes, which only
consist of a shawl and an apron.
Sound Design:
The main reason for my proposing this show as a studio show is for the use of
microphones and budgeting for batteries and condoms. The usage of microphones will allow for
consistent mixing of the difficult harmonies and intricacies of Finn’s music. The band will consist
of an electronic keyboard, bass guitar and drums. Amplification will help to assist the projection
of the actors, as many of the songs are highly physical.
Properties:
There is a limited use of properties in this production. Each of the spellers has a number
assigned to them, including the audience volunteers, which is displayed on a placard that they
wear around their neck. There is also a trophy that each of the spellers covets. We can make
the placards and use a preexisting trophy. Other props include the flashcards from which the
judges take the proposed words from, chairs and other set dressings to create the high school
gymnasium.
Makeup:
Makeup for The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee will consist of simple stage
makeup to negate the washout that results from stage lighting. There is a possibility to
experiment with slight aging for Peretti and Panch, the adult characters in the play.
Directing Aspects
Music Direction:
The vocal demands of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee are vast and great.
Ensemble numbers involve intricate harmonies and complicated meters, but I am confident in
Mark Thress as a music director. His virtuosity as a performer and an accompanist is exciting
and delightful to watch. Vocal health is a major concern for the cast, as the score calls for many
different styles of singing, but still retaining a pop-contemporary feel. Thress is experienced in
classical music as well as being the music director for an a cappella group on campus, which
will prove quite valuable when exploring Finn’s musical styling. His college curriculum has also
included experience in conducting voices as well as instrumentation.
Choreography:
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee calls for musical staging, rather than
complex choreography. Choreographer Jessica Ice is experienced in a multitude of dance
styles, which I will exploit for each of the musical numbers. Coinciding with the various musical
styles of the songs, each number will expand upon the distinctions physically. William Barfee’s
song “Magic Foot” hearkens on a “soft-shoe” genre of dance, while Marcy Park’s “I Speak Six
Languages” is an athletic tour de force. I am confident in her abilities to choreograph
movements that will reflect internal motivations, further the plot and also entertain the paying
audience.
Conclusion:
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is a humorous, touching and socially
conscious musical that examines the lives of nine people who meet for one afternoon and how
their interactions in a competitive environment alter their present reality. Finn’s clever music and
lyrics paired with the book by Feldman, Sheinkin and Reiss transcend limits of a stereotypical
musical comedy. Within the context of a Spelling Bee, topics such as bullying, parental
abandonment, the need to succeed, heterosexual vs. homosexual parenting styles and invasive
politics are approached with dynamic finesse and grace that many would not expect out of a
book musical which is, at its core, is about children in a modern society.
Character Breakdown:
CHIP TOLENTINO
An athletic, social, boy scout and champion of the TwentyFourth Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, he returns to
defend his title, but he finds puberty hitting at an
inopportune moment. Also plays Jesus.
C4 - B5
DOUGLAS PANCH
The Vice Principle. Frustrated with his life, he finds the
drive of the young spellers alien to him. After five years'
absence from the Bee, Panch returns as judge. There was
an "incident" at the Twentieth Annual Bee, but he claims to
be in "a better place" now, thanks to a high-fiber diet and
Jungian analysis. He is infatuated with Rona Lisa Peretti,
but she does not return his affections.
LEAF CONEYBEAR
The second runner-up in his district, Leaf gets into the
competition on a lark and finds everything about the bee
incredibly amusing. He is home-schooled and comes from
a large family of former hippies. He has severe Attention
Deficit Disorder and spells words correctly while in a
trance. Also plays Carl Dad
A3 - A5
LOGAINNE
SCHWARTZANDGRUNENIERRE
Logainne is the youngest and most politically aware
speller, often making comments about current political
figures. She is driven by internal and external pressure,
but above all by a desire to win to make her two fathers
proud. She is somewhat of a neat freak, speaks with a
lisp, and will be back next year.
A3 - F5
MARCY PARK
A recent transfer from Virginia, Marcy placed ninth in last
year’s nationals. She speaks six languages, is a member
of all-American hockey, a championship rugby player,
plays Chopin and Mozart on multiple instruments, sleeps
only three hours a night, hides in the bathroom cabinet,
and is getting very tired of always winning. She is the
poster child for the Over-Achieving Asian, and attends a
Catholic school called "Our Lady of Intermittent Sorrows."
She is also not allowed to cry.
C4 - E5
MITCH MAHONEY
The Official Comfort Counselor. An ex-convict, Mitch is
performing his community service with the Bee, and hands
out juice boxes to losing students. He has no idea how to
offer comfort, but does find himself wishing he could find a
way to make the kids feel better. Also plays Dan Dad,
Olive’s Dad
E4 - A5
OLIVE OSTROVSKY
A young newcomer to competitive spelling. Her mother is
in an ashram in India, and her father is working late, as
usual, but he is trying to come sometime during the bee.
Having found comfort in its words and vastness, Olive
made friends with her dictionary at a very young age,
helping her to make it to the competition. She starts
enormously shy, and shyly blossoms.
B3 - F5
RONA LISA PERETTI
The number-one realtor in Putnam County, a former
Putnam County Spelling Bee Champion herself, and the
returning moderator. She is a sweet woman who loves
children, but she can be very stern when it comes to
dealing with Vice Principal Panch and his feelings for her.
Her interest in the competition is unflagging and drives it
forward. Also plays Olive’s Mom
B3 - F5
WILLIAM BARFEE
A Putnam County Spelling Bee finalist last year, he was
eliminated because of an allergic reaction to peanuts and
is back for vindication. His famous “Magic Foot” method of
spelling has boosted him to spelling glory, even though he
only has one working nostril and a touchy, bullying
personality. He develops a crush on Olive.
E4 - B5
[email protected]
Greg Stowers
(757) 814-4107
Required Courses
Acting I: Basic Acting (Fall 2009)
Directing (Currently Taking)
Performance Analysis (Fall 2010)
Performance Production (Spring 2010)
Visual Aspects (Currently Taking)
Relevant Courses
Acting II: Intermediate Acting (Spring 2010)
Acting III: Contemporary Scene Study (Spring 2012)
Musical Theatre Performance (Spring 2011)
Advanced Musical Theatre Performance (Spring 2012)
Musical Theatre Revue/Workshop (Fall 2011 – Fall 2012)
Group Voice for MT Concentrators (Fall and Spring 2009-2010)
Private Voice for Musical Theatre (Fall 2010 –Spring 2012)
European Theatre Tradition Beg – 1800 (Currently Taking)
European Theatre Tradition 1800 – Present (Spring 2012)
Musical Theatre History and Analysis (Fall 2011)
Tap Dance (Fall 2010)
Intermediate Modern (Currently)
Basic Jazz Dance (Fall 20092)
Intermediate Jazz (Spring 2012)
Musical Theatre Styles Jazz (Currently)
Costume Practicum (Spring 2011)
Scenery Practicum (Fall 2012)
Music Theory Writing and Analysis (Fall 2011)
Aural Perception and Analysis (Fall 2011)
Harrisonburg, VA, 22801