Theater produces interactive performance

Musical includes audience for humor

Senior+Connor+Williams%2C+who+plays+Leaf+Coneybear%2C+spells+out+a+word+during+practice%0D%0AOct.+28.%0D%0AThe+musical+opens+7+p.m.+Nov.+13.

Abigail Hickstein

Senior Connor Williams, who plays Leaf Coneybear, spells out a word during practice Oct. 28. The musical opens 7 p.m. Nov. 13.

Abby Hickstein

Bone said she looks forward to the musical because she has a larger role than in previous productions.

“I am most excited because this is one of the biggest roles I have ever had in a musical. Most of the time I have had small ensemble parts, but in this musical there really are not ensemble parts,” Bone said.

Director Jodi Hatzenbeller said “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” is an interactive show, differing from past years.

“It is about six contestants who are in a spelling bee. There will be 10 contestants because we are pulling four people from the audience as well,” Hatzenbeller said.

Senior Connor Williams said he wants to have fun with his role and stay in character. “I am Leaf Coneybear. I am one of the spellers, and I have extreme ADD and I am just really happy,” Williams said. “I am excited about getting to act like a fool. My character is bouncing-off-the-walls happy at all times, and it’s entertaining.”

Hatzenbeller said audience participation in the spelling bee adds a new element to the upcoming performances.

“The audience can sign up to be a participant when they buy their ticket,” Hatzenbeller said. “We put them into a lottery, and we pick four people during the show and they will come up on stage, and they will be forced to spell on the spot.”

Hatzenbeller said she looks forward to the musical because of the powerful acting skills of the cast.

“I am excited about the quality of the performers because they are really strong vocally and with their acting talents. I think it is going to be a really strong performance,” Hatzenbeller said.

Williams said students should go see the musical because of the relatable, teenage humor.

“It is a really entertaining show. It has a lot of humor that applies towards teens,” Williams said.

Performances take place 7 p.m. Nov. 13- 14 and 20-21 and 2 p.m. Nov. 15 and 22 in the high school auditorium.