Jamee Perryman Goes Back to School in Spelling Bee

Jamee Perryman plays Rona Lisa Peretti, emcee of the Bee

The 25^th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee begins with Rona Lisa Peretti, local realtor and hostess of the Bee, proudly reminiscing about her own success at the same competition many years ago.  As Rona passes by the microphone, she has a flashback to the moment when she won the 3^rd annual spelling bee by correctly spelling “syzygy.”  Jamee Perryman plays Rona in the Farmington Players production of Spelling Bee.  Jamee describes Rona as “a strong woman who has a soft spot for kids, which I can relate to, being a middle school choir teacher in St. Clair Shores. I literally talk just like I would in my classroom.  It's nice, because half the time it doesn't even feel like acting!  I just get to be myself.  Also, I deal with middle schoolers every day, so the youth/teen cast is easy for me to interact with.  I'm so just used to it.”

Jamee knows that “audiences will love this show because it is full of fun music and a ton of laughter.  We have a ton of talent in our cast, and it will be so fun!”  But beyond the fun factor, the show should resonate with audiences because it recalls the challenges we all face as teenagers trying to find ourselves as we navigate the path to adulthood.  As Jamee says, “I think everyone can relate to the show.  There are struggles so many of us went through as kids, and sometimes as adults.”  While singing comes easily to Jamee, whose vocal talents are featured in Rona’s theme song, "My Favorite Moment of the Bee," she is “most nervous about having to improv with the audience spellers!”

Jamee feels “so lucky to have developed some great relationships with people in this cast.  I love working at the Barn, and didn't know too much about the show when I auditioned, but it was a great reason to get back to the Barn!”  Jamee last appeared on the Barn stage in 2013 as Vivienne in Legally Blonde.  She has an 18 month-old daughter, Skylar, and loves to read. 

The Farmington Players production of The 25^th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is proudly sponsored by Mall, Malisow & Cooney, PC.  Four audience members (including some local celebrities) will be selected as spellers at each performance.  The show includes 12 performances (the three Saturday matinees feature 12-to-16 year-old spellers along with the regular adult cast.) from December 4 – 20.  Tickets are available online at farmingtonplayers.org or by contacting the Barn box office at boxoffice@farmingtonplayers.org or 248-553-2955.