South Valley Civic Theatre recently celebrated its 44th season at the annual People’s Choice Awards Show where Rob Barham and Kel Whisner, as Masters of Ceremony, brought down the house with audience participation and watermelons. Not surprisingly, “The Wizard of Oz,” with special effects, outstanding costumes and scenery, and a huge cast, took home the lion’s share of awards. There isn’t room here to mention names but you can get the low down at www.svct.org.
For its upcoming 45th season SVCT is departing from the usual offering of tried and true family favorites with its season opener, “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.” Winner of the 2005 Tony Award for Best Book of a Musical and Best Featured Actor in a Musical, it also won the 2005 Drama Desk Awards for Outstanding New Musical, Outstanding Director of a Musical, Outstanding Book of a Musical and Outstanding Ensemble Performance.
The slightly edgy comedy is about six children (played by adults), a former felon completing his community service and two quirky adults who run a spelling bee at the Putnam Valley Middle School in Putnam County, N.Y. As the competition progresses, the spellers – adolescents on the throes of puberty – reveal their individual personality idiosyncrasies while learning that winning isn’t everything and losing doesn’t necessarily make you a loser. A surprising element of the show is the random selection of audience members who are invited on stage. The audience will wonder at times whether the dialogue is scripted or ad lib.
Director Andrew Cummings who also directed SVCT’s production of “The King and I,” has created a brilliant ensemble of actors who bring just the right amount of humor to the roles. Anyone who has had a child, known a child, taught a child or has recently been a child will undoubtedly feel a connection to the characters onstage.
After a five-year hiatus, Antonio Silva is back on stage playing Chip, the reigning spelling champion of Putnam County. Things have always come easily to him until the onset of puberty.
Logainne Schwartzandgrubenniere, a political activist with a keen sense of justice, is the youngest of the bee participants. Played by Christy Wright, she voices the concerns of many of today’s kids.
Peter Mandel takes on the role of Leaf Coneybear, who has severe Attention Deficit Disorder but delights in his own wandering focus. Mandel prepared for the role by picturing kids he has known.
“I hope I’m capturing characteristics but not mocking,” he said. “It’s a fine line.”
Appearing recently as the Cowardly Lion in SVCT’s “The Wizard of Oz,” Mark Blattel has mastered the role of William Barfee (pronounced Barfay), the bully who has always been picked on and is shaken by the unexpected friendship he encounters during the competition.
“I tune everything out and become this little enclosed ball of prickliness,” said Blattel. “As a kid I had the nerdiness but not the problems of my character.” Barfee spells everything out first on the floor with his “Magic Foot.”
Vivienne Castillo, the youngest cast member, graduated from Live Oak High School where she was befriended by Cummings and Wright. Like her character, Olive Ostrovsky, she had no self confidence while growing up. When she became emerged in the theater program at Live Oak, she realized that she was good at something. “The I Love You Song” – a trio with Elizabeth Calisi and Manuel Silva – is absolutely beautiful and heart wrenching.
Amy McElroy, mother of two outstanding young actors, makes her SVCT debut as the ultimate over-achiever, Marcy Park, who’s parents expect perfection. You’ll be impressed with her talents!
Manuel Silva, like his brother Antonio, is back on stage after a lengthy break. Last heard (but not seen) as Audrey II in “Little Shop of Horrors,” he takes on the role of Mitch Mahoney, the bee’s “comfort counselor.”
Jason Stebbins, father of two and branch manager of Guild Mortgage, Morgan Hill by day, plays Vice Principal Douglas Panch. A frustrated underachiever, Panch hopes to impress Rona Lisa Peretti.
Elizabeth Calisi, recently seen as Glinda in “The Wizard of Oz,” portrays Rona Lisa Peretti, a former spelling bee champion and the county’s top realtor. She thinks of the bee as a complex cerebral sporting event.
Sound like fun? I hope to see you at the Bee!
