By Patty Hullett
For the Daily Light
The Red Oak Hawk Theatre group presented the popular Broadway musical “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” at the high school Performing Arts Center on May 21-23.
This musical comedy, first performed in 2005, features music and lyrics by William Finn, based a book by Rachel Sheinkin, conceived by Rebecca Feldman, and with additional material by Jay Reiss.
Red Oak High School’s version was led by Director Jericho Thomas, with music direction by Keith Lathrom, and assistant direction by ROHS senior Donae Swanson.
This heart-warming musical was carried by a very talented group of students: Rona Lisa Peretti/Olive’s Mom as played by junior Jayden Douglas; Chip Tolentino/Dan Dad as played by junior Jose Moreno; Logainne Schwartzandgrunenierre as played by senior Avery Culpepper; Leaf Coneybear/Jesus Christ as played by freshman Omar Chavez; William Bartee as played by senior Landon Blanton; Marcy Park as played by senior Brooklynn
By Patty Hullett
For the Daily Light
Jericho Thomas, third-year theater teacher at Red Oak High School, is the acting and technical director of the Broadway musical, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, which will be performed at the high school May 21-22.
This 2005 Tony award-winning production will have Thomas’ theater students as his actors in this production, which features the hilarious, heartwarming musical about awkward, school-age spellers vying for the ultimate prize: a spot in the National Spelling Bee. A proven crowd-pleaser, Putnam also invites audience volunteers at every show to come onstage to compete in the bee (with predictably entertaining results).