L R P ’s ‘S p e l l i n g B e e’ a d u l t co m e d y o p e n s J u n e 1 2
The Last Resort Players are presenting
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling
Bee as its second play this season. Putnam,
as it is referred to, is not really a spelling
bee, but a musical adult comedy, bringing
some exciting new talent to performing
arts in this area.
Director David Lauria says, “What I
like about ‘Putnam’ is it’s different from
usual theatre. It ‘talks to the audience, not
past the audience.’”
Lauria
lends
his
considerable
experience to both character development
and staging of this production, directing
the cast in refi ning its characters’ quirks
and idiosyncrasies.
Jason Wood, who audiences might
remember as “Captain Von Trapp” in “The
Sound of Music,” is taking on the musical
direction of Putnam.
“The music in this show is incredibly
intelligent,” said Wood. “Right off the bat,
William Finn (music and lyrics) hits the
audience hard with a high-energy opening
number and he keeps the energy up while
adding comedy.
“Something that I really appreciate is
how he takes you by surprise. Just when
you think the entire show it going to be
all jokes and up tempo music, Finn digs
beneath the surface and sneaks in some
poignant moments with his characters
and this cast brings those moments to the
surface beautifully.”
In addition to musical direction, Jason
is also playing the part of “William Barfee”
(pronounced Bar-fay), the arrogant loner
who has a lot to prove.
“Barfee has been picked on his entire
life so his defenses are up. Friendship
takes him by surprise,” said Wood.
All of the characters personalities
run deep and have stories that everyone
can relate to: loneliness, puberty, sibling
rivalry, etc.
This show is full of fun, humor, and
some audience participation.
The play is suitable for more mature
audiences, high school and above. Parental
discretion is advised because the play is
both comedic and adult at times. The 25th
Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee will
be playing Fridays and Saturdays, June
12, 13, 19 and 20, at 7 p.m., with matinee
From left: Cast members Matt Korso, Tamara Cole, Elizabeth Rose, Hilary Roach, Leah Goodwin, Erin
Reinke; stage manager LuAnna Moore and keyboardist Johanna Bonisteel rehearse the score for 25th Annual
Putnam County Spelling Bee under the musical direction of Jason Wood.
showings on two Sundays, June 14 and 21,
at 2 p.m., at the Florence Events Center.
Tickets are available at www.
eventcenter.org, by phone at 541-997-
1994, or at the FEC box offi ce.
Fi n d yo u r
t re a s u re s at
F E C ’s n ex t
Indoor
Ya rd S a l e
Be the fi rst in line when doors open
for the ever-popular summer Indoor Yard
Sale at the FEC on June 27, beginning at
8 a.m. Coffee will be waiting for early-bird
shoppers, along with booth after booth of
treasures ranging from $1 bargain items
to antiques, tools, collectibles, prints,
table linens, glass, jewelry, miniatures,
art, music, needlework, books, household
items, sporting goods, neon signs, clothing,
shoes, furniture, appliances, vintage glass
and more. Sign-ups for booths are June 1,
beginning at 8:30 a.m., at the FEC
Though the doors will close at 2 p.m.,
you could leave with the fi nd of a lifetime!
Page 4
The Florence Events Center website: www.eventcenter.org