‘Spelling Bee’ set to open tonight

Charming and hilarious, Southern Miss's production of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee will hit the stage this Thursday and take its audiences on an unforgettable journey through the lives of six adolescents.

Directed by Sean Boyd, this Tony Award-winning musical is guaranteed to ignite the theater with laughter and leave its viewers with the realization that winning isn't everything and that it's tough to be a kid.

The play gives its audiences a close-up view of six middle-school students who are competing for the top spot in the 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee while also trying to overcome their own personal struggles.

"Each of the spellers keeps talking about something that has happened it previous years, or the day before, or really what has happened to us before we got here," said Megan Poole, a junior theater performance major and speller character in the cast. "We really just have to realize that we have to focus on what's going to be the best outcome for us in the future rather then dwelling on the past."

The six adolescent characters hitting the stage have to deal with being outsiders while also paddling their way through the thick waters of puberty. Logainne Schwartzandgrubenierre, the youngest speller and daughter of two dads, is being portrayed by Poole and faces this obstacle.

"She is very political and very all knowing for her age," Poole said. "She's full of energy and super feisty, but at the same time she really wants to be able to fit in because she's kind of a little bit of an outcast because she is so smart for her age."

Sophomore theater performance major Jennifer Diaz portrays Marcy Park, an overachieving perfectionist who brings the greatest sense of competition to the bee.

"Spelling Bee is about six adolescents that basically are there to win the spelling bee, but each of them is there for different reasons," Diaz said. "All of us are kind of one big protagonist, and the antagonist is actually the spelling bee. So basically they're there to compete, but they're also there to get over their past."

Despite the challenges the adolescents face, the musical is lighthearted and adds a comical twist to the world of youth everyone must overcome.

"The energy is just so infectious. You start tapping your foot and singing along with the characters," Diaz said. "And you also connect to it because you can point to the stage and say, ‘Oh, that was me when I was a little kid,' or ‘I knew somebody like that.'"

This production is unique because it's a musical that gives the audience a chance to participate. Before the play begins, audience members can sign up in the lobby to act the part of spellers in the spelling bee. Four will be chosen to hit the stage and play their parts alongside the cast.

"I love it. It spices the show up for us every night,"  said Bennet Forrest, a sophomore theater major. "You don't really know what to expect and that makes it exciting."

Forrest portrays Chip Tolentino, a character filled with confidence after winning last year's Spelling Bee.

"Spelling Bee is fun," Forrest said. "But besides that, it's heartfelt. It's super sincere, and I think it's quite nice to watch something with heart."

Even though Spelling Bee tells the story of six middle school kids through song and dance, it can still touch the heart of college students.

"Its really accessible to college students. It seems weird, but it totally fits." Diaz said. "Our mascot is the Putnam County Honey Badger based off the YouTube video. People may think it's this big cheesy musical, but there are some serious moments in there that you wouldn't expect, and it's really lovely."

Poole said she can't wait for people to laugh.

"Our past season in the theater department has been on the pretty serious, intense side, so getting to end this with a big old fun musical is just kind of exciting," she said. "I just really hope that they'll be able to enjoy and watch and laugh and laugh because it is such a fun and entertaining show."

The musical lasts an hour and a half with no intermission. The theater department will be hosting a "Putnam County-style" bake sale before and after the production.

The show times are Nov. 17, 18 and 19 at 7 p.m. and November 20 at 2 p.m. The following week, the play will run Dec. 1, 2 and 3 at 7 p.m. and December 4 at 2 p.m.