Since December, actors from the Coral Shores High School Drama Club have been hard at work, memorizing their lines, rehearsing their singing solos and perfecting their dance moves for their most recent show, scheduled to open on Friday, April 4.
“They’re eager to learn, which is fun,” said show choreographer Andrea Galvan, who owns Spotlight Dance Studio in Key Largo. “They come into rehearsal and they’re ready to dance.”
“The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” is a lively musical comedy centered on a fictional spelling bee set in Putnam Valley Middle School, where half a dozen quirky kids compete in the Bee, run by equally outlandish adults.
“This is a very improv-heavy play, so every night you come to a show it’s going to be different,” said Coral Shores High School drama teacher Caitlin Yong.
As fate would have it, Coral Shores High School assistant principal Jacob Poelma and his wife Brittany, who also works at the school, were in the Key Players production of the same musical back in 2018.
“We’re really excited to see how the kids tackle it,” said Poelma.
“It is neat seeing them excited about it and it blows their mind that I did it before,” he added.
A unique part of this show involves audience members being invited on stage to compete alongside the six spelling bee contestants.
“So if you are into that kind of stuff and you want to be a part of theater, you can come and watch the show and be a part of the show,” said Yong.
The 11 cast members from Coral Shores High School range from freshmen to seniors. Some have been on stage before; for others, this is a totally new experience.
“I’ve really loved the idea of being on a stage ever since I was a little kid,” said sophomore Miranda Anderson. “I just took the chance and I went and auditioned for the musical.” Anderson moved to the Keys from Cocoa Beach in July and said this experience has been a great way to meet people.
CSHS freshman Cameron Bourbeau plays the host of the spelling bee. She thought being on stage, under the bright lights, would be intimidating.
“I thought it would be more scary and I’d be more nervous, but I’m actually comfortable because everybody is so welcoming and nice,” said Bourbeau.
This is freshman Garrett Gomila’s first time in a show and already, he’s hooked.
“The acting industry doesn’t give you limits,” said Gomila. “I don’t know what I want to be yet, but acting is definitely something I would consider.”
Sophomore Mallory Hughes starred in last year’s CSHS smash hit, “Mamma Mia.” This musical has a much smaller cast and Hughes sees that as a positive.
“Everyone that was cast in this play is just so, so talented and because it’s such a small production, it gives everyone the chance to truly shine,” said Hughes.
Senior Sloan Prouty was also in last year’s “Mamma Mia.” She really loves the unpredictability of this show.
“There’s a lot more improv, as opposed to ‘Mamma Mia,’ which was a pretty scripted show,” said Prouty.
Poelma says audiences are in for a real treat.
“I love the audience interaction. It’s a high-energy play, it’s funny, the music is great, overall it’s just great,” said Poelma.
“The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” opens in the Coral Shores High School Performing Arts Center on Friday, April 4. There will be a total of six performances over two weekends. Tickets can be bought in advance for $7 and at the door for $10.
Scan the QR to purchase tickets. Purchased tickets are not date specific and can be used for any of the six performances.
Photos by KELLIE FARRELL BUTLER/Keys Weekly
