Sometime around March of this year, I chanced upon my friend Gibbs Cadiz’s blog entry about a musical called The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. I really wanted to watch the show but my busy schedule made me miss it. Then I forgot about it.
I only remembered it about two or three weeks ago when the Scripps National Spelling Bee Finals aired on ESPN. I’m not really an adept speller but when I was younger, I’ve always wanted to participate in one. I can recall my younger self browsing through dictionaries and encyclopedias searching for difficult words to memorize and familiarize myself with. One of them was triskaidekaphobia – the fear of the number 13. I now forget the language of origin and alternative pronunciations. Oh, those were my good old days.
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is a one act musical comedy with music and lyrics by William Finn and a book by Rachel Sheinkin. The show centers around a fictional spelling bee set in a geographically ambiguous Putnam Valley Middle School (however, Putnam County, NY does have a village called Putnam Valley). Six quirky adolescents compete in the Bee, run by three equally-quirky grown-ups.
-via Wikipedia
After watching the Scripps National Finals, I felt bad because I missed The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. An hour or so later, I shook it off and went on with my life.
Until last week when I received a text message from
an unregistered number. It was Lawyn from Atlantis asking me if I was available for a spot as a guest speller for the Bee rehearsals the day after. (Apparently, my friends Hogi and Gibbs volunteered my name). I checked my schedule and was saddened when I saw that I was not going to be available that day. I sent regrets to Lawyn, but at the back of my mind, I was finding a way to clear my 2:00PM schedule just so I could be a guest speller. Luckily, the gay musical gods have been reading my mind and my schedule cleared right away.
Armed with some hastily-researched (Googled, actually) words and spelling bee contestant lines (“language of origin pleaseâ€, “definition pleaseâ€, “could you please repeat the word?â€, “is there another pronunciation?â€), I excitedly went to the rehearsal studio.
Before the “show†started, I and three other guest spellers were briefed about what we were going to do. The instructions were plain and simple: just ask for the definition and pronunciation (only), just go with the flow, and don’t act – just be yourself. I found it quite disappointing that I would never get to use my favorite “Language of origin please†line but found it quite a relief upon hearing the “don’t act†instruction because my acting skills are in the challenged department. I know this because I got a very low grade in my Theater 107: Acting class in UP.
The show began (sans costumes and lights) and all of us guest spellers were seated at the “audience†area. We did not know how or when we were going to be part of the show. All we knew was that cast members were going to lead us (not into temptation but) to our places. Stage left, stage right, backstage – it did not matter. Just watch, wait, and have fun. I will not go and tell you the sequence of the show because it’s definitely way better if you watched the show yourself!
I was the second guest speller to be eliminated but I did get a chance to spell two words. The instructions were right on, I did not need to act! When my name was called, a cast member just picked me up (I wish he brought me home, lol) and brought me to my seat. Lucky for me, I got a seat beside one of my theater crushes, Felix Rivera! I could not look at him or make small talk because I’m very shy (charot!) around my crushes. I just watched as things unfolded – from the stage. All throughout my stint, I just looked around the stage and the other spellers as they did their thing. That’s the beauty of the show – it feels so real and so surreal that you’re left wondering what’s going to happen next. As a guest speller, I actually felt the pressure of waiting for my turn and being unable to spell a word correctly. Besides, I’m a very competitive person and my imminent elimination made me more nervous (I felt like I would be elliminated before the show reached its climax). I got to perform with the cast members in a number that I sure would not forget! And boy that was crazy! 
I have always wanted to perform onstage in a musical but my singing prowess is not fit for everyone to listen to. The “dance†number made me feel as if one of my dreams has been fulfilled.
Then it was my turn to spell. My name was called. Hesitating briefly, I walked nervously towards the microphone. The host, Ms. Perretti (played by Cathy Azanza-Dy), gave an introduction of me – a made-up one – which cracked the hell out of me. I tried to ignore it but I couldn’t help myself and let out a smirk. My first word was very easy. When I asked the official word pronouncer – Vice-principal Douglas Panch (played by Joel Trinidad) – for the definition, I got so intimidated! He’s a nasty man. The character that is. The words given to guest spellers (and their “background informationâ€) are not really part of the script. I think they’re improvised onstage by the actors. I really couldn’t help myself but laugh because of the punches that Panch throws!
My second word was surely impossible for anyone to spell. I could not even remember it! Ms. Perretti’s introduction of me this time around was really hilarious that my voice became hoarse and I felt like there was a frog in my throat. I spelled the word incorrectly – which made me slightly disappointed at myself. Then the gay musical gods decided to make fun of me! My mind went blank. I forgot where to go and what to do. After the first guest speller was eliminated, I knew what I was supposed to do when my time came. But no, I forgot! I went away from the mic, turned my back and walked to the back, looked around and then wanted the earth to swallow me. To my aid came Comfort Counselor Mitch Mahoney (played by Noel Rayos). He gave me a juice drink and escorted me offstage.
Being a guest speller is really a challenge! You would need a lot of courage and a pinch of craziness to survive it! After my elimination, I happily sat back, relaxed and enjoyed the rest of the show. And now I’m looking forward to watching it onstage! The rerun of the Philippines production of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee begins today!
“Spelling Bee†is directed by Bobby Garcia. Choreography by Chari Arespacochaga, set design by Tuxqs Rutaquio, lighting design by Johnsy Reyes, costume design by Twinkle Zamora and musical direction by Jojo Malferari.
This LIMITED REPEAT ENGAGEMENT runs from July 3 to 12 at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Plaza, Makati. For details, call Atlantis Productions at 892-7078 or 840-1187. You may also call Ticketworld at 891-9999 or visit http://www.atlantisproductionsinc.com
After the repeat in the Philippines, Atlantis will bring The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee to SINGAPORE!
Similar Posts:
- None Found
Join as an Affiliate and Get USD10.00 Sign In Bonus
Is Felix Rivera and Joel Trinidad gay? I think they are. I saw them once kasi in a coffee shop. Sila lang dalawa. On a corner. Ala masyado tao nun. Then Joel Trinidad gently squeezed Felix hands then whispered something on Felix. I don’t know if Joel was the only gay one or both of them. But I assure you kapag nandun ka. Madedetect ng radar mo malamang maraming beses na may nangyari sa kanila. Baka nga sila pa o sekreto. Felix I know is single. And most of the people I know who is matagal na sa theater o nagstart ng theater eh gay.