The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
Grab a D-I-C-T-I-O-N-A-R-Y and welcome to the spelling bee. This heartfelt musical comedy follows an eclectic group of tweens who compete for the spelling championship of a lifetime. While candidly disclosing hilarious and touching stories from their home lives, the tweens spell their way through a series of (potentially made-up) words, hoping never to hear the soul-crushing “ding” of the bell that signals a spelling mistake. Eight spellers enter; one speller leaves! At least the losers get a juice box.
Rated: PG-13 for language (small number of profanities and vulgarities) and themes (including one character’s puberty-related (embarrassing) anatomical dilemma). While largely a fantastically funny and heartfelt look at a group of elementary schoolers on the cusp of adolescence, some themes may be mature for some young patrons.
Six awkward spelling champions learn that
winning (and losing) isn’t everything.
Details
Venue
Firth J. Chew Studio Theatre
Performance Dates
August 11 – 19, 2023
Showtimes
Wednesday – Saturdays: 7:30 pm*
Sundays: 2:00 pm
*Saturday, August 19 performance at 2:00 pm
Ticket Prices
All ticket prices are inclusive of fees
Adults: $28
Students (13-25): $15
Credits
Music & Lyrics by William Finn
Book by Rachel Sheinkin
Conceived by Rebecca Feldman
Additional Material by Jay Reiss
Originally Directed on Broadway by James Lapine
Directed by Chelsea DuVall
Music Directed by Tonya Ballman