Herricks High School presented “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,” a musical comedy on March 24, 25 and 26 in the school’s newly renovated auditorium. Set during a spelling bee in a fictional Putnam County, the show features six quirky adolescents competing for spelling glory as they grapple with growing up.
Among the loveable and relatable characters in the ensemble cast is Logainne Schwarzangrubeniere, played by Herricks senior Sonya LiCalzi. “Our tightly-knit cast brought so many different kinds of people together,” said LiCalzi. “That mirrored the experience of the characters as they grew closer during the events of the show.” As the contestants compete throughout the show, each character shares their story and the challenges they face in spelling and in life. The show also included student designers for lighting and costume, as well as an all-student backstage crew. Even Herricks teachers got in on the performance, competing as “guest spellers” from the audience.
“Beyond their hard-work and talent, the actors formed a community of support with one another,” said Director Rob Gioia. “The bonds between them were clearly apparent to our audience and strengthened the performance.” The production team also included Musical Director Scott Stickley, Vocal Director Louise O’Hanlon, Choreographer Brooke DiSpirito, Costume Designer Laura Latham and Producer Anissa Arnold. More media and information on theater at Herricks can be found at instagram.com/stac_herricks.
