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F-U-N-N-Y Easy Street to stage ‘Putnam County Spelling Bee’
YOUNGSTOWN — Todd Hancock of Easy Street Productions knows he has a winner with “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.”
But he also knows he has to educate theatergoers in order to fill the seats.
The musical comedy was a Broadway hit, winning two Tonys in 2005, including Best Book.
Yet despite its acclaim, many people have never heard of “Spelling Bee.” Others might have a wrong notion of the play — which, by the way, is a flat-out comedy.
In its review, The New York Times called it “riotously funny and remarkably ingenious.”
When the rights to the show became widely available for this season, Easy Street snapped them up.
The semiprofessional company will stage the first local production of “Spelling Bee” on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Nov. 20-21 at Ford Family Recital Hall.
A touring company has been bringing “Bee” across the country for about a year, but Easy Street’s production will be the first chance to see the show in the Mahoning Valley.
There are actually three versions of “Spelling Bee”: the original Broadway version; a wild and racy one for midnight showings; and a tame version for high schools. Boardman High School’s drama guild will premiere the school version Nov. 19-22, and other local schools will likely follow suit.
Easy Street is producing the Broadway version, which contains some language and mature themes and is not recommended for younger children. “It’s PG-13,” said Hancock. “Bee” will be staged in the 600-seat Ford Family Recital Hall in downtown Youngstown, which Hancock said is well-suited for the comedy. “It’s meant for an intimate theater,” he said.
The stage couldn’t be more authentic. Easy Street bought the set that was used in the original Broadway run at the Circle in the Square Theater. It will rent out the set after its own run closes.
Hancock, Easy Street co-founder and leader, is directing “Spelling Bee” and is also in the cast. Always on the lookout for the next big thing, he saw “Bee” on Broadway a couple years ago and knew he had to do it. “I thought, ‘What a great idea. Why didn’t I think of that?’” Hancock said. He snapped up the rights.
“It’s a hot property,” he said. “It’s the best show you’ve never heard of.”
Set in a school gymnasium, “Bee” is just that: a spelling bee with some rather unique students — plus people chosen from the audience each night.
“The neat hook is the audience participation,” said Hancock. “Four people are pulled each night, and they are up there for as long as they keep spelling words right. You can’t predict what’s going to happen. Every show is different.”
The guest spellers are not chosen at random. Rather, ticket-holders interested in becoming part of the play can register at a sign-up table in the lobby before each performance. Those selected are called out of the audience after the play has begun.
In addition, local celebrities will also join the cast on various nights, including Cindy Matthews, WFMJ-TV 21 News; Rich Morgan WKBN-TV 27 News; Stan Boney, WYTV-TV 33 News; Carol King and Jeff Kelly of WBBG 106.1-FM; Kelly Stevens of WHOT 101-FM; plus a few surprise spellers who will not be revealed until they take the stage.
Different words will be used at each performance, as well.
As in any bee, the contestants can request the word be used in a sentence, and the unenlightening responses become another source of humor (“Euripides said, ‘What happens at the palaestra stays at the palaestra”).
Easy Street will follow “Bee” almost immediately with its annual holiday show “Miracle on Easy Street” in Powers Auditorium.
A spring production has not yet been finalized. Hancock said he is looking for something “new and big” and mentioned “The Producers” as a possibility.
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Comments
FYI.. I am in the Boardman Production and there is no such thing as a "school version." We are doing the BROADWAY production with the original writer's alternate lyrics for one inappropriate song! Come see us.. Only $5 for students, $7 for seniors, and $10 for adults. Buy tickets at www.boardmandramaguild.com.
not knocking you, endy, but "alternate lyrics for one 'inappropriate' song" sounds like a school version to me.
Go to MTI's site and look at the show... there is no school version. The writer provides alternate lyrics to a song that is mildly offensive. From what I understand, Easy Street considered using the lyrics for awhile too since they primarily do "family-friendly" productions.
Frankly, I am irritated with Todd Hancock's continued attempt at making any form of competition look less superior to his wannabe company. Yes, Easy Street Productions have been around this community for awhile and yes they have put on some great shows, but they are probably the shadiest in the business.
Take the example from this article, positioning themselves against a high school show. Are you afraid of some competition Todd? If I were to assume correctly, I would guess that Boardman got the rights to this show long before Easy Street. Can you say stolen ideas? Shady.
I am an avid supporter of the arts and I have always been impressed with the caliber of productions that Boardman puts on. Easy Street Productions uses the same students. They don't hold auditions, they give the spots to people they already know. Then they try to pretend to offer a training camp for younger kids. What are you trying to teach the kids, Todd?
Let it be known that I will be attending Boardman's production of Putnam because of the integrity that is Boardman. I deal with many theater students from this community through my occupation, and the respect, manners and talent of Boardman students put others to shame.
So Todd, I hope you read this and contact the Vindicator to correct your lies within the article. You may have a more established name in the industry, but that doesn't mean you have respect. Stop stealing from a high school. Are you pathetic? Can you spell J-E-A-L-O-U-S?
Alright... Listen.. I am David Mullane, Director of the Boardman Drama Guild. I do not want to see this happen to Easy Street like it did last time. Let it be known to all that Todd has been nothing but considerate of us with this process. We both licensed the show after recieving a fast track notice from MTI for what was FINALLY, a new release. We both requested the license. The second Todd found out we were doing the show, he called and discussed the production with me.
Originally, he intended to do the production in October and we were going to share resources and collaborate. Unfortunately, he was pushed our of his dates and already had an sizable investment. Even still, he called when he learned about the date conflicts and seemed willing to NOT do the show. We agreed that he should do it anyways since we really do not share a common audience.
For the record, Todd and I are great friends and I adore Maureen Collins. I have done many shows with them and most likely will do more in the future. My former students, Alyssa DiBernardi and Michael Koziorynsky are playing roles in his production and I couldn't be prouder of them.
I encourage people to see both productions... and also, consider how many theatre groups there are locally and how few new shows are available.. This is going to happen but we all have our separate followings. It is discouraging that our show was labeled a "school edition" since it is not.. we are simply using alternate lyrics to one song. But please... if you are one of my students or parents... do not publically bash the two people who got me my start in theatre performance.
I apologize for my harsh words. Reading the comments left by students arguing back and forth just got under my skin. As an adult I showed immaturity and I was wrong.
Though I still disagree with the way Todd Hancock worded things about Boardman High School, I have a greater respect for Boardman with the response that David Mullane provided.
David, I can reassure you that I am not a parent or a student of yours. I am just an arts supporter with a mild temper that was flared.
I wish you both well on your productions and once again apologize for my harsh words.
Adults don't hide behind the apron strings of cute 'cyber-handles', Buzzy. If you have valid comments to add to the entertainment scene in our area, then perhaps you should proudly step forward and let us all know who you are.
Meanwhile, those of us who actually love theater will continue to support and appreciate all the local companies around here for what they are. Doing a smug, self-satisfied beat down on any company, school or group is destructive and juvenile.
Mark Neddy