MHS Musings: Limelight Auditions On Tuesday

It seems a plurality of my columns over the past three years involve the incomparable experience offered by the Millburn High School Limelight Players.

Limelight, which puts on a fall musical and spring drama each year, has been an integral part of my MHS experience since the beginning of my freshman year. I have made many of my closest friends through the shows, and have shared experiences I will never forget.

Now, entering my senior year, I am sad to have only one of each type of show left before i leave, but am very excited for what is in store for this year.

The musical production will be The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, a fictitious and hysterical musical portrayal of a sixth-grade spelling bee, with some crazy characters.

There's William Barfee, the boy who must spell all the words with his "magic foot" before locking in his spelling; Marcy Park, the overachieving girl (who can speak six languages) under constant pressure from her family; Logainne SchwartzandGrubenierre, the young outspoken political activist with two overbearing fathers and a strong lisp... just to name a few.

Throw into the mix a wildly entertaining musical score and even the possibility of volunteer audience spellers... Spelling Bee will be a Limelight experience like no other.

You may remember Spelling Bee recently appeared at the Paper Mill Playhouse in 2010, starring the incredible Marla Mindelle, who most recently could be seen in Sister Act on Broadway.

The musical will take place Nov. 16 and 17. Because time is so limited, auditions will take place on the very first day of school, next Tuesday, after school in the MHS auditorium.

Interested students in grades 9-12 must prepare one of two gender-specific songs, and a monologue, which can all be found on the Limelight homepage.

A sign-up sheet will be posted outside the chorus room door by that morning to sign up for specific timeslots. 

Erin Smith, our amazing Limelight producer (and Hartshorn music teacher), will produce the musical, her fifth with the Limelight Players. She can be reached with any questions at erin.smith@millburn.org. 

Not interested in performing onstage but still want to be part of the process? MHS orchestra director Mrs. Conrad is compiling a pit orchestra to play the score live, and architecture teacher Dr. Keller and band director Mr. Spatz are compiling this year's stage crew, which is also a fun experience. If you're interested, be on the lookout for announcements to join crew or the pit.

The Drama Club, Limelight's offstage fun philanthropic organization that holds the annual Millburn Cares campaign, will hold its first meeting on Thursday, Sept. 6, after school in Room 223. All interested students (new and old, involved in the musical or not) are invited.

After , , and , I could not be more excited for Spelling Bee, and I hope the community will come together in November to watch this hilarious musical comedy of growing up, and, well... spelling!