'Perspicacious,' 'jocular' and 'effervescent' spellers unite on Flagler Playhouse stage

'The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee' is performed this month by The Spotlight Performers, who are celebrating five years.

By Guest Author
| 8:10 a.m. July 13, 2021

Collin Sloan, 21. Photos by Jake Montgomery

Cast of "34th Annual Putman County Spelling Bee." Photos by Jake Montgomery

Elana Sobhani, 19 and Collin Sloan, 21. Photos by Jake Montgomery

Caroline Hull, 22; Collin Sloan, 21; Bella Scarcella, 19; Ethan Fink,17; Sean Tormey, 21; Abigail Andrade, 19. Photos by Jake Montgomery

Caroline Hull, 22. Photos by Jake Montgomery

Patrick O'Hara, 22. Photos by Jake Montgomery

Caroline Hull, 22; Bella Scarcella, 19; Ethan FInk, 17; Collin Sloan, 21; Abigail Andrade, 19. Photos by Jake Montgomery

Sean Tormey, 21. Photos by Jake Montgomery

Abigail Andrade, 19. Photos by Jake Montgomery

Bella Scarcella, 19. Photos by Jake Montgomery

Will Sippel, 21. Photos by Jake Montgomery

Palm Coast Observer
Neighbors

by Collin Sloan

for the Flagler Playhouse

What happens when you cross a spelling bee and a musical?

An eclectic group of sixth graders arrives at the 25th-Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, each eager to win for very different reasons. Sweet and shy Olive (played by Caroline Hull in the Flagler Playhouse's upcoming production) brings only her best friend (the dictionary) with her to the bee; bold and hyper-allergic speller William Barfee (Ethan Fink) uses his “magic foot” to propel him to greatness; former champion Chip (Sean Tormey) is struggling with his burgeoning puberty; easily distracted Leaf (Collin Sloan) is unconvinced that he’s smart enough to be a challenger; overachiever Marcy (Isabella Scarcella) is disappointed by her consistent success; and politically aware Logainne Schwartzandgrubenierre (Abigail Andrade) only wants to impress her gay dads.

In hilarious, touching and catchy songs, each speller reveals his/her hopes, struggles and passions as they make their way through the competition accompanied by co hosts of the Bee Rona Perretti (Elana Sobhani) and Douglas Panch (Will Sippell), along with a comfort counselor, Mitch Mahoney (Patty O’Hara), to ease the elimination sorrows.

With score by William Finn and book by Rachel Sheinkin, "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" causes audiences to fall in love, both with the show itself and its “perspicacious,” “jocular” and “effervescent” spellers. Who knows, you may even get to be a speller yourself with audience participation helping make this bee a unique show every night!

With actors ranging from local Matanzas and Flagler Palm Coast high school graduates, to some traveling all the way from Orlando area, this ensemble has come together for The Spotlight Performers’ five-year anniversary.