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Arts & Entertainment

Local Performers Spell "H-I-L-A-R-I-T-Y" With The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee

Southington Community Theater pulls all stops out with energetic matinee performance. Three more shows to follow.

The Southington Community Theater once again delivers outstanding talent to a matinee performance of 'The 25th Annual Putnam Spelling Bee' Sunday afternoon.

Not every seat in the house was filled, most likely because the sun shone brightly making the weekend favorable for outdoor activities.

"We hoped for a bigger turnout. We thought we'd try a matinee, to offer the time slot as an extra opportunity," said Heidi Bass, producer for Southington Community Theater.

Nevertheless, those who did take reprieve from a hot summer sun, showed their love and clapped loudly as each actor went through each turn, literally, spelling words or breaking out into a more personalized expression of song and dance that showed the depth of their character.

"This was a first time experience for me as director," said Tony Lamberto.

When Southington Community Theater sought a director for the production it seemed like a natural progression for Lamberto who has done a little of everything else from acting to producing over the past 35 years.

'Rent' was originally slotted for the Summer Stage 2011 production, but licensing didn't pan out.

"The challenge with comedy is all about timing. The chemistry of the group is important because each cast member plays off of one another," said Lamberto.

The antics of Lief Coneybear, played by Daniel Dietz, showed a true, uninhibited joy.

Prancing around the stage wearing plaid pants and a royal blue cape with helmet on top, Dietz gave himself to the role with unabashed charm. Coneybear seemed as light as air flittering about.

Madeline McCord as Olive Ostrovsky, who longed for a friend, played ever so sweetly to Charlie Dan Sheffy's William Barfee, who consistently and emphatically corrected the pronunciation of last name, much to the audience's delight.

One-by-one as contestants misspelled their word, the 'comfort counselor' Martin A. Smith's character Mitch Mahoney, would gently offer solace, before physically removing losers offstage.

There's more going on besides a comedic delivery of song and dance. Teenage angst, hormonal discovery and a tender longing for family, friendship and love, make for a terrific show. 

Cast members include:  Jessica Wolf, Jeffrey O’Brien, Dan Dietz, Kayla Teel, CharlieDan Sheffy, Ashley Dambowsky, Madeline McCord, Bruce Barger, Martin Smith and Peter Pristic. Music directed by Alan Dougherty, stage managed by Chris Palmieri, choreographed by Heidi Bass-Lamberto and Autumn Sheffy, and produced by Heidi Bass-Lamberto.

Upcoming performances: July 14-16 7:30 p.m. at Hatton Elementary School. Costs: $12 in advance, $15 at door. For more information call (860) 877-3210 or (860) 877-2842.

Southington Community Theater
, a non-profit organization, produces two shows during its calendar year July 1 through June 30.

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