JULY 29 • 2021 | 33

L

auren Landman grew up in Michigan
surrounded by a three-generation
family of theater fans and community
theater performers. In Chicago, an aunt and
uncle (Naomi Landman and Neil Tobin)
could be seen on professional
stages.
What Landman enjoyed
most at age 6 seemed to fit
in with her heritage and sur-
roundings without ever chang-
ing. A role as an orphan in a
community theater production
of Annie cemented her interest.
Twenty-one years later, while pursuing a
theater career in New York, she has returned
to Michigan as part of the ensemble cast of
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling
Bee, which is being presented July 28-31 by
the Nicely Theatre Group enhanced by a
live band. Although planned as an outdoor
show on the grounds of the Berman Center
for the Performing Arts in West Bloomfield,

the production can be readily switched
inside if the weather dictates.
“I’ve never performed in a show outdoors
before, but I’ve seen shows outdoors,
” said
Landman, who portrays one of six adoles-
cents competing to surpass opponents as
each presents special challenges amid the
tension of the bee.
“Mitch Master, our director, and David
Carroll, our producer, have some exciting
ideas about how to incorporate doing the
show outdoors, and we have exciting visions
before and after the show to really help wel-
come audiences into the environment. We’re
going to be miked and have food trucks,
weather permitting.
”
Landman takes on the role of Logainne
Schwartzandgrubenierre, the daughter of
two gay men pushing her to excel as written
in the script by Rachel Sheinkin and the
score by William Finn.
“
All of the children’s roles are written to be
larger than life,
” Landman said. “
Although

they are caricatures, we’ve been focusing
on making these kids’ stories authentic and
relatable.
“My character is a bit insecure, so she
overcompensates for it by showing a lot of
confidence even though it isn’t always genu-
ine. Schwartzy, as she is nicknamed, makes
connections during the bee and learns how
to stand up to the pressure that her fathers
are always placing on her.
“My main song is ‘Woe Is Me,
’ which
laments all the pressure. It’s very fast and

continued on page 34

Lauren
Landman

ARTS&LIFE
THEATER

Putnam County actress has
rich theatrical heritage.
Putnam County actress has
Casting
a Spell

SUZANNE CHESSLER CONTRIBUTING WRITER
DETAILS
The 25th Annual Putnam County
Spelling Bee is being performed
at 8:30 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday,
July 28-31, on the grounds of the
Berman Center for the Performing
Arts in West Bloomfield. $25.
Grounds open at 7:30 p.m. for
refreshments and music. Bring
your own chairs and blankets.
nicelytheatregroup.org.

Cast (from left):
Lauren Landman,
Mitchell J. Hardy,
Erin Johnson,
Jason Bowen,
Alec Diem and
Maryanna Lauter.

NICELY THEATRE GROUP