WILLMAR — The Hayloft Players present “Show and Spell” at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Oct. 25-26, at The Barn Theatre in downtown Willmar.
Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students, and are available at the box office at 321 Fourth St. S.W., by calling 320-235-9500 or online at .thebarntheatre.com.
Five middle schoolers take on overzealous parents, crazy coaches and nostalgic relatives as they prepare for the annual spelling bee in this insightful comedy for young actors.
With contestants who range from an unflappable cheerleader who cheers all her words to the anxiety-prone daughter of a movie star, spelling the words correctly may be the least of these kids' worries.
This play "wonderfully illustrates the pressure kids feel to compete, and the family support that makes it all bearable."
The five middle schoolers are played by Emri Werder, Ethan Livingood, Nora Livingood, Crew Werder and Ayla Werder.
Other members of the cast are Abbi Goosmann, Matthew Stai, Samantha Stai, Ivar Olsen-Hello, Liz Kurhajetz, Brooklyn Ava Pederson, Paul U’Ren, Josie Goosmann, Evelyn Johnson, Charissa Davis and Ashley Stai.
Co-directors are Ben Watson and Chris Ness.
The set is by Austin Watson, with props by Vivian Watson.
Lighting is by Matt Hegdahl with RJ Gralish on the lights/sound board. Stage crew members are Dayton Lien and Paul U’Ren.
Costumes are by Sara Livingood, Bridget Pederson and Jennifer U’Ren, who is also the photographer.
1/5: David Lichtensteinberger, played by Ethan Livingood, studies for the spelling bee with his parents Monday during a dress rehearsal of “Show and Spell” presented by The Hayloft Players at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 25-26, at the Barn Theatre in Willmar. Erica Dischino / West Central Tribune
2/5: Mrs. Worthington, left, played by Evelyn Johnson, and her maid Eloise, played by Charissa Davis, help Desiree Worthington, played by Ayla Werder, prepare for the spelling bee Monday during a dress rehearsal of “Show and Spell” presented by The Hayloft Players at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 25-26, at the Barn Theatre in Willmar. Erica Dischino / West Central Tribune
3/5: Five spelling bee contestants Desiree Worthington, left, played by Ayla Werder, Sunny Sandstone, played by Emri Werder, Imagine Pearson, played by Nora Livingood, David Lichtensteinberger, played by Ethan Livingood, and Jeff Matthews, played by Crew Werder practice before the spelling bee Monday during a dress rehearsal of “Show and Spell” presented by The Hayloft Players at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 25-26, at the Barn Theatre in Willmar. Erica Dischino / West Central Tribune
4/5: Jeff Matthews, played by Crew Werder, does push-ups in front of his coach while practicing for the spelling bee Monday during a dress rehearsal of “Show and Spell” presented by The Hayloft Players at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 25-26, at the Barn Theatre in Willmar. Erica Dischino / West Central Tribune
5/5: Spelling bee contestant Sunny Sandstone, played by Emri Werder, answers a question while the crowd looks on Monday during a dress rehearsal of “Show and Spell” presented by The Hayloft Players at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 25-26, at the Barn Theatre in Willmar. Erica Dischino / West Central Tribune
