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The Spelling Bee (Sheiness)

Full-Length Play, Dark Comedy  /  4w, 4m

Marsha Sheiness

A pleasure.... Discipline, tightly written.... Scores those who will use any means to achieve a success of the moment." - New York Daily News
"Fresh and eminently playable ... funny in a grotesque vein." - Village Voice

The Spelling Bee (Sheiness)

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  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    4w, 4m
  • Duration
    Duration
    120 minutes (2 hours)
  • SubGenre
    Subgenre
    Mystery/Thriller
  • Suggested Use
    • Scene work
    • Competition or audition material
  • Audience
    Target Audience
    Appropriate for all audiences

Details

Summary

A taut, suspenseful comedy that builds to a shocking climax as four children (written to be played by adults) compete in the televised National Championship runoffs for the best speller in the country. Each mother is determined that her child will win, while the Quizzer intends the show to be a springboard into the "big time."

History

The Spelling Bee was first presented at the Eugene O'Neill Playwrights Conference in Waterford, Connecticut. The play subsequently premiered off-Broadway at Playwrights Horizons in New York City. It was directed by Harold Scott.

Keywords
Performing Groups

FREDDIE STANS (38-50) - The Quizzer  Charming, likes children, has sense of humor and is driven by ambition.
STEVE ROBERTS (11-14) - From the East. Precocious, quickwitted, likable, self-assured and extremely pleased with who is is.
MAGGIE ROBERTS (35-40) - Steve's mother. Dotes on her son. Always feels she has his best interest at heart.
NINA GOLD (11-14) - From the North. Independent, honest, likable, strong convictions. straight-forwad, and sensitive to the world around her. Outspoken like a child, not as an adult.
BART POWELL (11-14) - From the South. Sweet, even-tempered, popular.
THELMA POWELL (35-40) - Barts mother. A Southern Belle, delicate, strong.
RALPH PIKES (11-14) - From the West. Sensitive, a poet, strong sense of humor, positive, strong will to succeed.
ARLENE PIKES (35-40) Ralph's mother. Gentle, easily swayed, not very bright, good-natured, extremely proud of Ralph.

  • Time Period Contemporary, Present Day
  • Setting A televison studio. The set for the National Spelling Bee contest.
  • Features Contemporary Costumes / Street Clothes
  • Additional Features Not Applicable
  • Duration 120 minutes (2 hours)
  • Cautions
    • No Special Cautions

Media

REVIEWS

"A pleasure.... Discipline, tightly written.... Scores those who will use any means to achieve a success of the moment."" - New York Daily News

"Fresh and eminently playable ... funny in a grotesque vein." - Village Voice

Music

  • Musical Style N/A (Not a musical)
  • Vocal DemandsN/A (Not a musical)
  • Chorus Size N/A (Not a musical)

Licensing & Materials

  • Minimum Fee: $110 per performance

Scripts

Available Formats:
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Authors

Marsha Sheiness

Marsha Sheiness

Marsha Lee Sheiness is a playwright, director, actor and teacher whose work has been produced off-Broadway, off-off Broadway, on television, and in regional, community, university and high school theatres across the US. She has also been produced in Japan, Canada and England. ...

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