Talking to the cast of Theatrikos Theatre Company's THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE

The cast of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee 

by Gil Benbrook

Nominated for six Tony Awards and winning two, including one for its hilarious book, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee took Broadway by storm in 2005. It's a quirky, witty musical comedy that oozes charm but also offers many introspective moments concerning the difficulties of being an outsider or having parents who don't quite understand you.

The show takes place at the fictional Putnam County Spelling Bee where a group of adolescents (all played by adult actors) are competing for the top prize and the bragging rights that go with it. While none of them hope they'll hear the sound of the bell that signifies they made a spelling mistake, at least they'll get a hug and a juice box as they're escorted off the stage.

Theatrikos Theatre Company presents this crowd pleasing musical from March 31-April 23 and four members of the cast sat down between final rehearsals of the show to answer some questions about the show, their characters, and their favorite juice box flavor.

Scott Seaman, Nathan Henderson, and Piscilla Howell

Scott Seaman

What can you tell us about the character you play? 

"I play William Barfée. That's Barfée with an accent. It's French for all you idiots out there who can't pronounce a name correctly!  He is the ugly, grumpy, fat kid. The kids call him "Barf." He's very competitive. Very smart. He knows most of the words--definitions and all--and let's people know it. He uses an unusual technique though for spelling at the microphone: He spells the words on the floor with his "magic foot" so he can visualize the word before he spells it. He is out for blood this year as he was disqualified last year after an unfortunate incident involving his peanut allergy. He struggles making friends as he is pretty awkward and abrasive around the other kids. He has a passion for science...and spelling...and competition. " 

The musical focuses on a group of young, middle school students who are competing in their annual spelling bee. What difficulties have you encountered in playing someone who is much younger than you are? 

"I am the oldest person in the cast in real life, so I REALLY had to stretch! I actually had to spend some Saturdays early on really trying to find the character of Barfée. It was an exercise in going back and remembering. He is a beloved character by those who are familiar with the musical, and I really want to do justice to such a wonderfully colorful character. I had to think back to my own childhood and kids I've seen growing up over the years to really identify some of the awkwardness and abrasiveness I wanted to portray. Most of us had an ugly duckling awkward phase at some point, and it's hard because we feel so awkward that we put up these walls as a defense mechanism, but it can come across as harsh and mean, and people are afraid to get close to us, and we are afraid to get close to other people. I really wanted to tap back in to some of that for my portrayal of this kid...and make it funny and over the top and loveable, all at the same time."

You each come to this show with unique experiences and perspectives. Scott, you performed at BYU and at Black Barts but are also a dentist with a practice in town. What have you taken from your own unique perspective and experiences to flesh out your character to make them realistic and not caricatures? 

"This is actually my first major role in almost 20 years. I did a lot of performing in high school and college, but I only recently got back into theater during this past year. I love being a dentist, but I also really love performing on the stage. I love the magic and energy of live theater, especially musical theater. It is seriously so much fun! I was involved with the Theatrikos production of Nunsense in 2022 as assistant music director, and it was a blast. When I heard Theatrikos was doing Spelling Bee this year, I knew I wanted to audition for a part, even though it had been a long time. I fell in love with the music by William Finn. I knew the show had a very unique setup with the improv aspect. And I believed in the message of the show and I really really wanted to be a part of it. I was beyond thrilled when I got the part of Barfée--and intimidated. I knew I would have to dig deep and get way out of my comfort zone to play a character as crazy and cooky and silly as Barfée. I had to let go of a lot of inhibitions with this character. I had to find my loud annoying "Barf" voice. I had to loosen my hips and shake my booty. And I had to learn to spell some hard words! People who see the show will see a very different side of me from the normal serious professional I usually inhabit--especially when Barfée lets loose with some seriously ridiculous and zany dance moves!"

How good of a speller are you and were you involved in any spelling bees when you were in school? If you were, any memorable stories from your experiences? 

"I actually am a very good speller. But like anyone, my brain can go numb up in front of an audience. And I might be a little dislexic. My one and only spelling bee was in 5th grade at Sechrist School. My very first word in the very first round was 'formula.' I knew how to spell it, but I spelled it f-r-o-m-u-l-a. That was the end of my spelling bee career."

The characters in the show are all very competitive. There is also this notion of pressure and how it makes them try to live up to the expectations from others, and even from within themselves. How competitive of a person are you and how has that impacted your portrayal of your character? 

"Barfée is extremely competitive. He has a chip on his shoulder from last year. And he has a unique advantage with his "magic foot." We don't know much about his parents. Very little is revealed in the script. But he wants to be a winner, and is ready to take down anyone in his way. But this extreme competitive spirit can lead to loneliness and isolation. I would say I am a competitive person. I like to play games that I know I can win. Losing or failing at something is can be very hard for me. I have been driven my whole life. In my older years, I have come to realize the joy of being a human, even as we sometimes struggle, fail, and don't always live up to expectations. Watching some of the other parents portrayed in the show, and portraying a neglectful and absent parent myself in one of the dream sequences, I have certainly had some thoughts and feelings about our intereactions with kids and the pressures we put on kids. I have three teenage kids of my own. Today's kids have so many pressures on them. Plus their world is still pretty upside down in a semi-post COVID era. I would hope our portrayal of the parents and adults in the show can give us all pause and nudge us to think about how we might be better at seeing, accepting, encouraging, and being a friend to the kids in our lives. Every kid deserves to have adults in their life that have their back and love them no matter what. "

This musical incorporates a few volunteer audience members to also participate in the "bee." What have you, and as a cast, done to prepare for the unscripted, improvisational moments that having audience members on stage with you can entail? 

"Again, this aspect of "improv" and letting go and being silly no matter what happens, can really be a stretch--especially for me! Those who know me will tell you that I am normally a "scripted" and "by-the-book" type of guy. To leave all that behind and just roll with the unpredictable parts of this show is actually terrifying, liberating, and exhilarating all at once! I would say we have really had to come together as a cast and work as a team, really trust each other, and almost develop an unspoken communication system to keep things moving forward during those unexpected twists that have happened so far. Some of our funniest moments so far have actually been during the unforeseen. This cast and crew is amazing, by the way. What a joy it has been to work all together to bring this show to life."

While the show is a comedy it also has many moments that are quite touching. What songs, scenes, or moments in the musical resonate most with you, and why? 

"One character, Marcy, who is very driven and excels at everything, and even speaks six languages, has a moment where she hears God tell her that He will love her whether she wins or loses...and that He doesn't care that much about spelling bees. That always speaks to me. It took me a long time to come to that same realization about God myself. In another scene, Olive has a dream sequence where she imagines her parents, who are actually absent in her life, doting on her and expressing profound love for her. It's a tear jerker for sure, as we realize it's all just a fanciful illusion, and not the true reality she experiences. It makes me want to go home and tell my own kids how much I love them and how incredibly awesome they are."

Favorite juice box flavor? 

"Fruit Punch. Hands down."

What do you hope audiences will take away from seeing The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee at Theatrikos? 

"I hope anyone seeing the show has a chance to look back at how we all face the challenges of life and the social pressures that affect us all, and maybe step back and see if we might need to grow or change in some way. My character, Barfée, comes to the realization that friends and connection with others are more important than winning. That's a big message for myself. I also hope we can all have a good laugh at ourselves. I think any of us can find a piece of ourselves in one of the characters, if we're honest. And really we're all just a little bit crazy and silly deep down. "

Priscilla Howell

What can you tell us about the character you play?

"I play Rona Lisa Peretti, a former Spelling Bee Champion (3rd annual) and current host. Rona is hosting for the 9th consecutive year, and the bee is the absolute highlight of the year for her. She really wishes she was competing!"

What difficulties have you found in portraying an authority figure in the show when the majority of the cast are also adults but playing young characters?

"The most difficult part of the show is not breaking character when the other characters are funny or sad. All of the actors in this show are incredible and it seems like every rehearsal brings out a new bit that we hadn't seen before. Rona and Panch, while adults, seem to be focused on themselves and lack a bit of self awareness, and therefore lack the authority they should be displaying. "

The characters in the show are quirky and eccentric. What have you taken from your own unique perspective and experiences to flesh out your character to make them realistic and not caricatures? 

"Rona is a Pollyanna of sorts, and a bit of a caricature of herself when she's at the bee. She's endlessly positive, because the bee is the highlight of her year and brings back so many memories for her. She, just like parents of the spellers, lives vicariously through the children. She has a tendency to make the bee about herself, and her positivity comes across as disingenuous and insensitive to the children that are competing. We don't learn much about Rona during the show, and I think that is purposeful. I think Rona is lonely and a little sad, and she takes the bee as her yearly opportunity to shine. She refuses to be anything but smiling and positive, and doesn't let down that guard, and that's really sad to me. While I'm so fortunate to have an amazing family and support system, I can certainly relate to putting a smile on my face even when I'm having a hard time. It's honestly one of the things I love about acting, that I can set aside any sadness and be someone else for a while. I think that's what Rona does for the bee. "

How good of a speller are you and were you involved in any spelling bees when you were in school? If you were, any memorable stories from your experiences?

"I was the 5th grade spelling bee champion at Shadeville Elementary School in Crawfordville, FL! I am a pretty good speller, and have always loved it. That said, I never excelled beyond that level, but I'm truly fascinated by the children who compete at the national level. This show has also made me consider the individual children, where they come from, and the pressure they're under. "

The characters in the show are all very competitive. There is also this notion of pressure and how it makes them try to live up to the expectations from others, and even from within themselves. How competitive of a person are you and how has that impacted your portrayal of your character?

 

"I'm an incredibly competitive person. While Rona isn't competing in this bee, she really taps into her memories as a speller, and treats this event just as a sports announcer would. She's competing with herself to be the best host she can be, and she's set the bar really high. There isn't a lot of pressure on Rona from others, but she puts so much pressure on herself, and I definitely relate to that! Just like Rona, I'm my biggest critic."

This musical incorporates a few volunteer audience members to also participate in the "bee." What have you, and as a cast, done to prepare for the unscripted, improvisational moments that having audience members on stage with you can entail?

"I make sure to stay informed on current events, as some of the best humor comes from things that are really happening. I have come up with some great material as backup (if I'm not able to find something on the fly). It's really important to make sure to keep things light. I want to do my best to make sure all of the audience participants feel comfortable and welcome and I know the rest of the cast is working for that too. "

While the show is a comedy it also has many moments that are quite touching. What songs, scenes, or moments in the musical resonate most with you, and why?

"I don't want to give anything away, but there are two moments in the show that are really emotional for me. We learn about the spellers and the situations they're coming from, as well as the struggles they're facing.

Olive's home situation is heartbreaking. It seems that her parents are doing their best, but they are very caught up in their own issues, leaving her to figure things out by herself. There's one song in particular that I think will have audiences holding their breath. I lost my mother when I was very young, so I can relate to the uncertainty she faces and the longing for someone who can't be with you.

The other moment that really gets me is when one speller is eliminated and the absolute heartbreak that comes along with it. This particular character faces so much pressure and fear that they aren't deserving of love if they don't win. It's so hard for me to recover from that and be Rona. The actor just does a flawless job of pulling me into their despair. "

Favorite juice box flavor?

Fruit punch!

What do you hope audiences will take away from seeing The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee at Theatrikos?

"I hope that audiences laugh and cry. Ultimately I hope they leave with a new perspective on the pressure and expectation children from all walks of life face (perhaps a little self reflection). While there's so much humor in the show, there's also a lot of hard truths about growing up! 

This show has been so much fun, and I hope audiences see how much love, effort, and dedication the cast and crew put into making this such a wonderful show. "

Brian William Price

Brian William Price

What can you tell us about the character you play?

"Mitch Mahoney is an ex-convict who is serving his community service as the "Comfort Counselor" at the Bee, where he hands out juices boxes and hugs. "

What difficulties have you found in portraying an authority figure in the show when the majority of the cast are also adults but playing young characters?

"The hardest part of playing Mitch was finding the right balance of firm strength and gentle care for the spellers.  He is an ex-con who has little to no clue on how to be soft and comforting, but he tries his best. "

You each come to this show with unique experiences and perspectives. Brian, you were the first Navajo to become a Navy SEAL. The characters in the show are quirky and eccentric. What have you taken from your own unique perspective and experiences to flesh out your character to make them realistic and not caricatures? 

"I took from my U.S. Navy SEAL days and remembered what it was like to be very hard and mean at times, yet still selflessly care for those around me.  Mitch has a good heart, but he is rough around the edges.  I would relate him similarly to the Beast, from Beauty and the Beast.  Deep down he is good, but he doesn't know how to show it in a proper way.  This makes the interactions in the play funny to watch, but still kind hearted, although gruff."

How good of a speller are you and were you involved in any spelling bees when you were in school? If you were, any memorable stories from your experiences?

"I did not participate in Spelling Bees when I was a young boy growing up on the Navajo Reservation here in Arizona.  But I do feel as though attending Columbia University in NYC where I received my BA in Acting allowed me to grow greatly rhetorically speaking.  "

The characters in the show are all very competitive. There is also this notion of pressure and how it makes them try to live up to the expectations from others, and even from within themselves. How competitive of a person are you and how has that impacted your portrayal of your character?

"I am not competitive with others.  I am competitive with myself.  I put my whole heart into all the work I am blessed with doing and I push myself to lead in a good way as well as achieve the goals I have.  I am more of the man who helps the person beside me, rather than compete with them.  Unless it's a pizza eating contest.  I'd fight to win that. "

This musical incorporates a few volunteer audience members to also participate in the "bee." What have you, and as a cast, done to prepare for the unscripted, improvisational moments that having audience members on stage with you can entail?

"As a cast, we worked on some improv techniques to be able to flex accordingly and rise to the occasions that the volunteer spellers present us with.  We had wonderful direction, and the entire production team had our backs the whole way. "

While the show is a comedy it also has many moments that are quite touching. What songs, scenes, or moments in the musical resonate most with you, and why?

"I sing a number in the play, but I would have to say the most touching song for me is the I Love You Song.  It is about a girl who misses her family.  I know what missing family is like because of my SEAL days.  I did 140 Combat Operations during the war and I didn't see my family for years at a time.  I know how this girl feels to be alone, afraid, and missing loved ones. "

Favorite juice box flavor?

"My favorite juice box flavor is good ole Fruit Punch.  Plus it's my favorite color, Red. "

What do you hope audiences will take away from seeing The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee at Theatrikos?

"I hope the audience takes away from the play the remembrance of the joy that childhood can bring.  A lot of us grow up too fast due to the things going on in the world.  I hope they see it is okay to be a kid every once in a while.  The magic of feeding your inner child is a skill many people should try to tap into.  If people are able to figure this part out for themselves, the world would be a much brighter place.  To change the world, all you have to do is change yourself.  It's up to each and every one of us. "

Brooke Stoff

What can you tell us about the character you play?

"My character is Logainne SchwartzandGrubenierre  I am the proud daughter of Daniel Shwartz and Carl Grubenierre. My primary desire in life is to earn their love by winning this spelling bee!  I am the youngest competitor in the bee and I’m clearly stressed out about winning the entire time.  "

The musical focuses on a group of young, middle school students who are competing in their annual spelling bee. What difficulties have you encountered in playing someone who is much younger than you are? 

"One of the biggest challenges is having to sing and deliver my lines with a lisp!  That has been fun to learn.  Another challenge is learning how to not “over act” like a child.  I have a 5 year old daughter who I have gained a lot of inspiration from.  I have spent time watching how she carries herself, walks and what she does when she is required to “sit still”.   It’s been a lot of fun!"

You each come to this show with unique experiences and perspectives. Brooke, you have a degree in music education and performed in numerous musicals in the past but only returned to performing last year after a 10 year hiatus. The characters in the show are quirky and eccentric. What have you taken from your own unique perspective and experiences to flesh out your character to make them realistic and not caricatures? 

"Taking such a long break from theatre has given me a lot of perspective and self assurance I never had before.  10 years later it’s easier for me to be ugly for a role.  When I was thinking of musical theatre as a career for myself it was very stressful.  There was a lot on the line and it made it hard to just have fun.  So this time around I’ve made a lot of sacrifices to be able to give this show the time it requires so every minute I’m at rehearsal I am making the most of it!   

As far as not making it a caricature, I try to feel like Logainne would feel and let that pour into the choices I make for my movements and delivery. "

How good of a speller are you and were you involved in any spelling bees when you were in school? If you were, any memorable stories from your experiences?

"I’m notoriously a horrible speller!  I’m dyslexic and it makes it hard.  No spelling bees for me!  Having to spell during this show is more stressful than singing an entire number. "

The characters in the show are all very competitive. There is also this notion of pressure and how it makes them try to live up to the expectations from others, and even from within themselves. How competitive of a person are you and how has that impacted your portrayal of your character? 

"I’m a fairly competitive person, I like to win but growing up I knew that my parents loved me no matter what the outcome was!  My character Logainne believes if she loses God, America, her dads, AND herself will HATE her.  It’s a very sad and stressful mindset but I think her part is very important.  It shows the audience that there are kids that grow up with this mentality and pressure and they need a lot of love. "

This musical incorporates a few volunteer audience members to also participate in the "bee." What have you, and as a cast, done to prepare for the unscripted, improvisational moments that having audience members on stage with you can entail?

"This is the funniest part of the show!  The audience!  We have been having friends come to rehearsals and sub in as the volunteers.  It is SO hard to stay in character when a volunteer is laughing or if they do something unexpected.  I just try to respond how Logainne would! We have practiced the volunteers responding in a lot of different ways and how that plays out."

While the show is a comedy it also has many moments that are quite touching. What songs, scenes, or moments in the musical resonate most with you, and why?

"Oh goodness, this show has stolen my heart!  It’s absolutely hilarious but by the end you will be crying.  This aspect of human nature is rarely portrayed in the arts, kids performing under pressure and their response to it, but the truth of it is heart breaking. 

The character Olive breaks my heart the most.  She saves a chair for her dad in hopes he can make it to the bee.  Where my parents loved me and did their best, there were times when they weren’t at things or were running late.  This feeling breaks my heart.  But when she sings the “I Love You” song there is not a dry eye in the room, even for rehearsals.  Everybody has felt abandonment in their life and this song gets to the depth of that feeling of abandonment. "

Favorite juice box flavor?

"I don’t drink juice boxes"

What do you hope audiences will take away from seeing The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee at Theatrikos?

"I hope they take some empathy for kids away from it.  I hope when their children are performing they see the inner-dialogue that is happening.  I hope they laugh and I hope they cry.  "

CLICK HERE for more information on this production, which runs March 31-April 23