The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee

TheatreUSF Presents the musical The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee

Nov 9 – 10 and 15 – 17 at 7:30pm
Nov 11, 18 at 3pm, Theatre 1

Music and Lyrics by William Finn , Book by Rachel Sheinkin
Conceived by Rebecca Feldman
Additional Materials by Jay Reiss,
Originally Directed on Broadway by James Lapine
Directed by Douglas S. Hall

USF's News in 90 segment about Theatre and Dance!

Welcome to The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, the hilarious musical version of everyone's school nightmare.

A riotous ride, complete with audience participation, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee won the Tony and the Drama Desk Awards for Best Book. An eclectic group of six mid-pubescents vie 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, pout-inducing, life un-affirming "ding" of the bell that signals a spelling mistake. At least the losers get a juice box.

One of the spelling bee contestants sings under the spotlight as her fellow contestants watch from behind on the bleachers.

The host for the spelling bee contest stands in the middle of the stage (designed to look like a school gym with a basketball hoop mounted at the top and assorted wall hangings saying "Putnam County High") and speaks through a microphone. The contestants sit on bleachers to the side.

One of the contestants jumps ropes, as two men stand at either side holding the ropes. The other contestants sway along to the music in the background with their arms raised above their heads.

A man holds a microphone stand passionately as he sings into it. He wears a black leader vest over a black t-shirt and blue jeans, as well as a bandana on his forehead.

One of the male contestants takes center stage for his song, flanked on either side by the rest of the cast as they dance in sync, one hand raised and one leg kicking the air.

Originally produced on Broadway by David Stone, James L. Nederlander, Barbara Whitman, Patrick Catullo; Barrington Stage Company, Second Stage Theatre.

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre international (MTI).

photo credit: Laura Lyon