Actors for "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" Show

Tenor, Vocal range: B4 to E2. A finalist in last year’s bee, he is back and determined to win. He was eliminated the previous year due to complications from a peanut allergy. Slightly aggressive and focused on winning, he nonetheless develops a crush on Olive, and winds up acting generously and kindly towards her. William has only one working nostril and is touchy about the pronunciation of his last name. He has succeeded due to his “magic foot” method.

Mezzo-soprano, Vocal range: B3 to F5. She is an amateur when it comes to competitive spelling, but her talent is obvious. As a young girl, distressed by her parents’ fights, Olive became best friends with her dictionary. Olive’s parents’ relationship is strained-- he’s working late, as usual, and may not even make it to the bee, while her mother is escaping it all at an ashram in India. Olive finds great comfort in words.

Mezzo-soprano. Vocal range: A3 to F5. The youngest of all the spellers, she is the daughter of two overbearing gay dads. She is politically cognizant and frequently drops names of various political figures. She speaks with a lisp, is a neat freak, and can be something of a know-it-all, but she is most of all, under a lot of pressure, both internal and external, to do well in the bee. She already plans to return next year.

Mezzo-soprano, Vocal range: C4 to E5. The poster child for over-achievers, she is a recen transfer student from Virginia who placed 9th in the previous year’s Nationals. She speaks six languages, is all-American in hockey, plays rugby, can play Chopin and Mozart on various instruments, but is also tired of only sleeping three hours a night, hiding in the bathroom closet, and always winning. She attends a Catholic school called “Our Lady of Intermittent Sorrows.”

Tenor, Vocal range: A2 to A4. Homeschooled in a large family of hippies, he struggles with a lack of self-confidence and a severe case of ADD. He was second-runner up in his district and only was able to join the county bee because the winner and first-runner up had to drop out to attend a bar mitzvah. He claims that his family thinks he’s “not that smart,” but he may actually just suffer from a very short attention span. When he spells, he seems to go into a trance.

Tenor, Vocal range: B4 to C3. Last year’s champion, he returns to defend his title. He is used to things coming easily for him. He’s a Boy Scout, a successful Little League athlete, and socially popular. However, his burgeoning puberty leads to an embarrassing moment that costs him his second win. He is humiliated and must come to terms with his mistake.

No singing. He is returning to the bee for the first time in five years, after an “incident” sidelined his participation. He informs the group that he is better, thanks to the healing effects of a high-fiber diet and Jungian psychoanalysis. He is befuddled by the students’ passion for spelling, and finds his own life somewhat disappointing. He is infatuated with Rona Lisa Peretti, who does not return his affection.

Mezzo-soprano, Vocal range: B3 to F5. A former winner of the Putnam County Spelling Bee, now the top realtor in Putnam County, she is the moderator of the bee. She loves spelling bees and relishes in her own memories. She has a soft spot for the kids, and is loving and supportive as they make their way through the bee. She does, however, get stern with Principal Panch when he expresses his feelings towards her. She presses forward with the bee no matter what happens.

Tenor, Vocal range: A4 to E3. A former convict, he is serving his community service sentence by being the “Official Comfort Counselor” of the bee. When a student is eliminated, he gives them a juice box and leads them offstage, offering his best attempt at an encouraging talk. Although his “comforting” style is somewhat stilted, he genuinely wants to make the kids feel better.

Tenor, Vocal Range: D4-G2. One of Logainne’s dads, Carl is her primary trainer. He believes in Logainne, but puts extensive pressure on her to succeed. Usually played by the actor who plays Leaf. Ensemble (may be doubled with other characters).

Tenor, Vocal Range: D4-G2. One of Logainne’s dads, Dan is more laid back and supportive than Carl. Usually played by the actor who plays Mitch. Ensemble (may be doubled with other characters).

Tenor, Vocal range: D3-E4. A dream version of Olive’s dad who appears to Olive during the competition. Usually played by the actor who plays Mitch. Ensemble (may be doubled with other characters).

Mezzo-sopraono, Vocal range: D4-E5. A dream version of Olive’s mom (who is actually at an ashram in India) that appears to Olive. Usually played by the actor who plays Rona. Ensemble (may be doubled with other characters).

Tenor, Vocal Range: D4-G2. THE Jesus Christ. He appears to Marcy when she whines about her easy word. He teaches Marcy to listen to her heart and not follow the dictates of other people. Usually played by the actor who plays Chip. Ensemble (may be doubled with other characters).

Leaf's family: Leaf’s dad, mom, and siblings. They are even more surprised than he is by his success. Usually played by the actors who play other spellers. Ensemble (may be doubled with other characters).

Leaf's family: Leaf’s dad, mom, and siblings. They are even more surprised than he is by his success. Usually played by the actors who play other spellers. Ensemble (may be doubled with other characters).

Leaf's family: Leaf’s dad, mom, and siblings. They are even more surprised than he is by his success. Usually played by the actors who play other spellers. Ensemble (may be doubled with other characters).