Only two nights left for ‘The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee’

After a four day break, the cast and crew of Chaminade University’s latest theater production of “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” performed once again for the Hawaii community at the Mamiya Theatre last Friday.

Although it was in front of a small crowd, director Bro. Gary Morris said that tonight’s performance was “fun.”

“They’ve been away from it for four days,” Morris said. “I thought [the cast and crew] came right back up and had a good time doing it.”

Audience member Kyle Lovett, said that although she had heard of the production, it was her first time actually see the play be performed.

“I loved it,” Lovett said. “I was really impressed with actors, really impressed with the music. I didn’t know about the show before I came but it was really clear – I was sitting very near the back of the audience but I could understand what they said.”

Sofia Vela, a second-year communications major who plays Marcy Park in the production, said they performed “wonderful” tonight.

“Comparing last weekend and this weekend; our ‘pick-up’ performance was really good,” Vela said. “Everyone had good energy backstage, they all did their best jobs so far and I applaud our cast and crew.”

Vela said that she hopes for more people to come and watch them at their next performances this weekend.

“People should come and see it – it’s a really fun show, there’s always something for everyone,” Vela said. “ It’s exciting, happy, sad – all the above. And from what I hear, a lot of people enjoy it and say it’s really entertaining.”

Elijah Abramo, a sophomore accounting major who plays one of the fathers in the musical, says he always has fun putting on the show for people.

“I thought tonight’s performance was pretty good,” Abramo said. “What I like about this performance was that we actually changed up the words that were leaked out for the volunteer spellers (audience members). It was fun and fresh.”

The show received a low audience turnout last Friday, however, Abramo is expecting more people to come for the last two shows.

“I want more people to come and watch,” Abramo said. “However, I’m just glad that people are here to support us.”

Both Vela and Abramo, along with the entire cast of the musical, were musically prepared by opera star and musical director Kip Wilborn. This was made possible by a $10,000 Orvis Foundation grant that allowed Chaminade to hold singing workshops for its students.

“The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” is a musical written by William Finn and Rachel Sheinkin, and has won a Tony Award for Best Book of a Musical and a Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Book of a Musical. Chaminade University has been performing the production since April 5th.

Chaminade will be showing the production again for the last time at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday and at 4:30 p.m. this coming Sunday. The first ten Chaminade students can get in for free by emailing the CUH Theater Club at [email protected].