Spring Musical – The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee

The lights dim– voices hush in excitement, and the stage bursts to life. This year, Cal High’s theater department captivated audiences with their playful production of The 25th Annual Putnam Spelling Bee. From the first note to the final bow, the cast held the audience’s full attention not only with their majestic voices but also with the comedic timing that kept the whole room laughing.

The musical follows six main spellers, Olive Ostrovsky, William Barfée, Marcy Park, Leaf Coneybear, Chip Tolentino, and Logainne Schwartzandgrubenierre, who each compete for top spot in the spelling bee. Each character has their own sequence of stories and songs, ranging from emotional to absurdly humorous. Every cast member did a wonderful job of not only portraying their character, but also their vocals. The songs were captivating, and the students showcased their impressive vocal range that made for a truly impressive performance. 

Of course, we can’t forget the adults guiding (or contributing to) the chaos: Rona Lisa Peretti, Mitch Mahoney, and Vice Principal Douglas Panch. Whether playing a former competition winner, a substitute judge, or a comfort counselor, each actor stepped into their role perfectly. Jon Tullius, playing Vice Principal Douglas Panch, contributed greatly to the humor within the plot and certainly had the audience’s attention. Additionally, Layla Gonzales (as Rona) and Elena Santos (as Mitch) deserve a special shout-out for their powerhouse vocals. Their performances were beautifully executed and left the crowd stunned.

Alongside these amazing actors, we can’t forget the highlights of our main cast’s performances. Each actor brought unique energy to their role. Like Ron Lester, whose portrayal of Coneybear in the insecure yet playful song I’m Not That Smart was a crowd favorite. Rosa Holguin, playing Schwarzy, perfectly captured the frantic, high-pressure energy of Woe Is Me. The talent didn’t stop there; Adeline Dumas brought impressive skill to the eccentric. I speak six languages, and Matthew Sanchez, with his lively yet embarrassing song Chips Lament. From emotional ballads to comedic numbers, the vocal talent was consistently stunning.

Among the six competitors, two ‘spellers’ often emerge as the emotional heart of the story. This would be William Barfée and Olive Ostrovsky, who are played by Patricia Castillo and Lindsay Damico. Both performers were exceptional, capturing their characters’ growth perfectly, including the stress of becoming friends while competing for first place (highlighted in the song Second). Patricia brought high-energy to her song Magic Foot. The song was greatly enjoyable, not only by the vocals, but also the ensemble contribution and Patricia’s performance. “It was my favorite song, the choreography brought it all together, and the weird concept of a magic foot made it even better,” audience member Michael Gonzalez stated. Lyndsay’s rendition of The I Love You Song was nothing short of beautiful. As a highly emotional song, she was joined by Natalie Camarena and Annabella Markell (playing Olive’s parents), whose combined vocal talent and acting left the audience captivated. “Definition of peak, 100%. If I had the money, I would come back to watch it just for this song,” says Melanie Covarrubias.

Every performer, whether in the leading cast or ensemble, contributed to the show’s success. Whether this be in the songs like Pandemonium, Prayer Of The Comfort Counselor,  or The Champion, the entire company excelled. Whether playing parents or quirky side characters, each cast member sang and danced with incredible energy, making every musical number a highlight.

The audience walked away with an overwhelmingly positive outlook, proving that the show’s charm outweighed any minor confusions.. “It’s a pretty good show. Sometimes the plot line for me was a little bit confusing… I probably should’ve read the playbill. Overall, I really like the show!” Stated Tiffany Ngayan. It was a point of view that offered honest critique while still fully appreciating the musical’s vibrant energy.  The actors also completely captured the audience’s undivided attention and admiration. As Isabella Mendoza enthusiastically wrote, “The actors all did well! I would love to see it again. I loved all the songs and humor. I especially liked Coneybear and Barfée’s performances.” This high praise only proves how wonderful Cal High’s Theater department did. Not only the actors, but the production crew and orchestra all did a wonderful job at tying the whole production together. Everyone did an exceptional job, and the student body hopes to see more wonderful productions like this!