Can you spell h-i-l-a-r-i-o-u-s? Ƶ theatre presents “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee”
The Ƶ Theatre Program presents the Tony Award-winning musical comedy “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,” Thursday, Nov. 5, through Sunday, Nov. 8, in Taylor Little Theatre.
With music and lyrics by William Finn and a Tony Award-winning book by Rachel Sheinkin, “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” follows an eclectic group of six young competitors vying for the spelling championship of a lifetime. Along the way, they tackle increasingly challenging words while revealing hilarious and touching stories about their families, friendships, insecurities, and dreams.
At once wildly funny and unexpectedly heartfelt, “Spelling Bee” celebrates the joy of competition, the agony of defeat, and the awkwardness of growing up. Six spellers enter; one leaves a champion. At least the losers get a juice box.
The production features eleven Ƶ students—Noah Beiter, Haven Bills, Abby Craig, Shane Dexter, Bella Mitlo, Johnathon Morvay, Eric Page, Maya Post, Hannah Scott, Sophia Sidorowicz, and Zack Yeager—and Ƶ alumnus Braden Rosciszewski.
“‘Spelling Bee’ invites our students to make bold comedic choices while finding the humanity beneath these wonderfully eccentric characters,” said director Dr. Brett D. Johnson. “It’s a deceptively challenging musical, demanding both comic precision and emotional honesty. That combination makes it a terrific learning experience for our students—and a delight for audiences.”
In addition to Johnson, the creative team includes music director Andrew Rainbow, choreographer Jennie Caruso, scenic designer Tucker Topel, lighting designer Madeleine Steineck, costume designer Kim Brown, production stage manager Kate Bentley, and assistant stage managers Lydia Bacon, Jolynn Durlin, and Kenzie Soety.
Performances will take place in Taylor Little Theatre on the Ƶ University campus. Showtimes are Thursday, Nov. 5, at 7:30 p.m.; Friday, Nov. 6, at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, Nov. 7, at 7:30 p.m.; and Sunday, Nov. 8, at 2 p.m.
Single tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for senior citizens and non-Ƶ students, and $5 for Ƶ students with I.D. Each order is subject to a $2.50 per ticket processing fee, regardless of purchase or payment method.
All performances are general admission, with doors opening thirty minutes prior to curtain.
Patrons can reserve their tickets online at , by phone at 814-824-3000 (Tues.-Thurs., noon to 5 p.m.), or at the Mary D’Angelo Performing Arts Center box office.
Tickets will also be on sale at Taylor Little Theatre beginning 90 minutes before curtain.
For more information, visit .
“The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI.
Please note: “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” is rated PG-13 for mature themes, mild language, and suggestive humor.