Putnam County Spelling Bee: An Improvisational Play

On Monday, November 10th, I attended The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee at Russell H. Miller Theater. The play was put on by students at Western Kentucky University. The play was based on the Tony award winning book, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee written by Rachel Sheinkin. It was also based on an original improvisational play created by Rebecca Feldman titled C-R-E-P-U-S-C-U-L-E. The musical comedy introduces six characters who are distinctly different from each other. After each character is introduced and background information on each character is revealed, the hostess, Rona Peretti then invites four audience members to participate in the contest. Five of the six original cast member’s characters are returning to the

One character, Barfee, used his “magic foot” to spell out each word he was given. This was his unique technique that aided in him winning the spelling bee. While each participant simultaneously approached the podium, the others sat backstage in chairs waiting to be called upon. The crude humor exemplified by the announcer and the majority of participants generated laughter in the audience. One particular character, Chip, was eliminated for misspelling a word due to a distraction in the audience. Chip was mesmerized by Coneybear’s attractive sister, Marigold. He was nervous to walk up to the podium because he had an erection and didn’t want anyone to see. He later sings a song about this instance and his role changes. After intermission, Chip is now a candy vendor at the spelling bee. He tosses candy to the audience and interacts with the audience throughout the remainder of the play. The characters were representing 5th grade students so they dressed up as elementary kids would. Chip wore overalls and Coneybear wore his boy scouts uniform. Two of the female characters wore their hair in pigtails. Leaf made his own clothes which looks like they were designed by a young child. The musical numbers performed expressed the feeling and pressures the characters were facing. Olive sings a song called “The I love You Song” which is about her love for her dictionary and her relationship with her parents. Her parents were absent in her life and the words in the dictionary were her escape from reality. Another character that faced parental problems was Logainne Schwartzandgrubenierre. Logainne’s two overbearing fathers pressure her into being perfect. At one point in the play, her father attempts to sabotage the spelling be by pouring soda on the stage where Barfee uses his “magic foot” to spell out words. Barfee is stumbled when his foot slides into