Westborough Players' Club Spells Latest Show "F-U-N"

The Westborough Players' Club will have a few words for its four audiences this weekend.

Some of those words will be misspelled.

A nine-member cast will perform "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, at the Willows at Westborough, 1 Lyman St.

Tickets are $15 general admission, and $10 for students and seniors.

"It is just a fun, sweet show with lots of laughs," said director Marianne Lonati, who makes her Westborough Players' Club debut.
 
"The cast is wonderful, the music is great. It is a perfect way to spend a summer evening."

This interview was conducted by e-mail.

Westborough Patch
What inspired the club to do "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee"? 

Marianne Lonati
I believe the club was looking for a musical that would fit into a small space. We are performing at The Willows on a very tiny stage so it needed to be something small. "Spelling Bee" has a cast of nine and a unit set, so it fit well. It is also one of my favorite shows so when I was asked to direct, I suggested it.  

Westborough Patch
What has been the cast's biggest challenge in doing this show?  

Marianne Lonati
Summer shows are always difficult due to vacation schedules. Missing cast members throughout the process posed the biggest challenge. I can now say I have played every part in this show at one time or another at rehearsals! I think we had only four rehearsals with the full cast!  

Westborough Patch
What is Katie Broach like as Rona?  

Marianne Lonati
Katie is great. I have worked with her in a few shows, she was Mrs. Mayor in my "Seussical" and Sister Amnesia in "Nunsense." I tend to cast her in silly, slightly over the top roles, perhaps due to her loud, contagious laugh! She is very funny in this show and always a joy to work with.  

Westborough Patch
What is Mark Dittelman like as the vice principal?  

Marianne Lonati
Mark is a blessing! The role of Vice Principal Panch is more difficult than an audience realizes because much of what he does is adlibbed. I did not know when I cast Mark that he is a master improv performer and that turned out to be such a help. The things he comes up with make me laugh at every rehearsal. I feel the show is in good hands with Mark!