Coral Shores Drama Club Presents: The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee

H-I-L-A-R-I-O-U-S — What’s That Spell?

A night of nonstop laughs at The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, the latest production from the Coral Shores High School Drama Club! Whether you can spell “weltanschauung” or barely make it past “apple,” this unpredictable musical will have you laughing, cheering, and maybe even competing on stage.

Not Your Typical Musical

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is written by Rachel Sheinkin, with music and lyrics by William Finn. The show follows six quirky middle schoolers as they compete in a hilariously unpredictable spelling bee. The competition is overseen by three equally eccentric adults, and to make things even more fun, audience members are invited to participate as contestants. With improvised elements and different spelling words used at each performance, no two shows are exactly the same.

Award-Winning Broadway Hit

This Broadway hit, which won the Tony Award for Best Book, is filled with humor, heart, and unexpected twists. The comedic elements—such as the pronouncer’s absurd sentence examples and the spontaneous nature of audience participation—make for a lively and interactive experience. While the show is family-friendly, it does have a PG-13 rating due to some humor that may not be suited for young children.

A Student-Led Labor of Love

For months, the students of the CSHS Drama Club have dedicated themselves to bringing this unique show to life. The production is a labor of love, driven by the students’ passion for theater and their ability to problem-solve creatively. Whether it’s finding the perfect prop, piecing together costumes, or assembling the playbill, these resourceful students have embraced the many responsibilities that come with staging a musical.

With help from their theater teacher, Ms. Yong, actors have been tirelessly practicing their lines, fine-tuning their characters, and perfecting their comedic timing. Backstage, students interested in technical theater have benefited from the guidance of Wood Campbell, Performing Arts Center Manager. Meanwhile, choreography has been led by Andrea Galvan, owner of Spotlight Dance Studio.

A Team of Talented Performers

The dedication of these young performers is evident, as they have put in countless hours to ensure the success of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. They have taken ownership of the process, proving themselves to be not only talented actors but also committed team players.

Meet the Director: Ms. Caitlin Yong

Guiding these students is Ms. Caitlin Yong, a 2018 graduate of Coral Shores High School. Her love for theater began right here, under the mentorship of the well-known and well-loved Ms. Z. As a student, Ms. Yong performed in Phantom of the Opera and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, which led her to study opera at Florida State University. After graduating in 2022, she returned to give back to the program that sparked her passion for the arts.

“It’s kind of crazy coming back,” Yong reflects. “Giving the kids the opportunity I had and seeing them eat it up— it’s very rewarding.”

🎭 Cast List

• OLIVE OSTROVSKY – Mallory Hughes
• WILLIAM BARFEÉ – Troy Register
• RONA LISA PERETTI – Cameron Borbeau
• VICE PRINCIPAL DOUG PANCH – Sloan Prouty & Mattie Lopez-Henriquez
• LEAF CONEYBEAR – Garrett Gomila
• LOGAINNE SCHWATRZANDGRUBENNIER – Shelly Gonzalez
• MARCY PARK – Kioki Algaze
• CHIP TOLENTINO – Jeramiah Ortiz & Gabriella Raffanello
• MITCH MAHONEY – Jaylin Sabater & Kristine Zapata

Don’t Miss This Unique Production!

The CSHS Drama Club is eager to share their hard work with the community.

“The students have worked so hard, and seeing a full audience would mean the world to them,” says Yong. “And, you’re sure to have a great time!”

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee promises to be an unforgettable production. Come for the laughs, stay for the talent, and support the next generation of performers at Coral Shores High School!

Show Dates:

APRIL 4th • 7 PM
APRIL 5th • 7 PM
APRIL 6th • 2 PM
APRIL 11th • 7 PM
APRIL 12th • 7 PM
APRIL 13th • 2 PM

– Jerrica Mah is a writer, Army wife, and freelance book editor, who loves to travel with her family