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About The Siuslaw news. (Florence, Lane County, Or.) 1960-current | View Entire Issue (June 3, 2015)
‘Spelling Bee’ adult comedy opens June 21 FLORENCE — The Last Resort Players are presenting “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” as its sec- ond 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 per- forming 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 con- siderable experience to both character develop- ment and staging of this production, directing the cast in refining 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 Cast members (from left) 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. COURTESY PHOTO 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 sur- face 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 I T ’ S ‘A BOUT F ACE ’ AT B ACKSTREET FLORENCE — For the its parts in their own month of June, Backstreet unique way. Gallery will present Come see these one- “About Face,” a commu- of-a-kind art pieces. nity challenge that invited In addition, “face the local artists to take a sim- music” with Smilin’ ple unadorned face and Dave Craddock on his create a unique piece of keyboard with his own art with it. brand of smooth jazz Enjoy these unique cre- mellow standards that ations and a reception, make everyone feel at Saturday, June 13, from 3 home. to 5 p.m., at Backstreet Come enjoy the “About face” creation by Gallery, 1421 Bay St., in music, the great appe- artist Jane Rincon Old Town Florence. tizers and see how the The rules allowed the artists faced this chal- artists to add, subtract, multiply or divide lenge during the Second Saturday Gallery the shape and to embellish the face and/or Tour. 18 • C OAST C ENTRAL • A r ts & En t er ta i n m en t • JU N E 2 01 5 takes him by surprise,” said Wood. All of the characters personalities run deep and have stories that everyone can relate to: loneliness, puberty, sibling rival- ry, 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 showings on two Sundays, June 14 and 21, at 2 p.m., at the Florence Events Center. Tickets are available at www.event center.org, by phone at 541-997-1994, or at the FEC box office.