In a play full of audience interaction and ad-libbed jokes, how do you deliver a great show each night? Through the power of ensemble—as the cast of HPA’s Upper School fall musical discovered during their recent weeks of rehearsal and performance. The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Beefollows a group of quirky young over-achievers in their quest for spelling bee glory.
Sarah Newcomb ’21, as Wilhelmina Barfee, noted: “The main thing going through my mind was how were people going to respond? How were the jokes going to land?” Alek Kaune ’23, who was so well-cast as Leaf Coneybear, praised his castmates for their skill in reacting to each other’s on-the-spot ad-libbing, adding: “We kept our energy together and focused; we were all in character, one hundred percent of the time. And we got so much energy back from the audience.”
Caitlin Hooley ’20, who played Chip Tolentino, talked about the incredible reception from the packed house on opening night: “The energy was amazing! It was so great to have the support of so many of our fellow students.”
The main thing going through my mind was how were people going to respond? How were the jokes going to land?”
—Sarah Newcomb ’21, as Wilhelmina Barfee
Musical Director Mario Flores noted how the play is more than a comedy, exploring topics close to the teenage heart and mind: “absent parents, the pressure to be the best, the pressure to fit in, and the angst of first love.”According to Flores, “The show is perfectly suited for a youth company and for a small-ish cast like ours at HPA. And, with audience participation via nightly spellers on stage, it’s a show that is guaranteed to create buzz and interest. It was important to put on a show that was joyful, comedic, and connectable. Particularly for me, it was important to select a show that would emphasize ensemble work and would have people wanting to come back for another night and another show at GPAC.”
This high-energy show was supported by a wonderfully realistic set and gorgeous lighting and sound. “Getting a fully professional, functioning theater has been incredible, and this performance allowed the mic’d actors to sing in their range, in character,” noted Technical Director Jared Terpak. “And having the student crew run the entire show, all the complex sound and lighting cues—what a pleasure to watch them do what they’ve been trained to do!”