‘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.