The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee

Who loves brain busters? Vocabulary cards?! And kinetic spellers?!? This Tony Award-winning, coming-of-age musical comedy about disparate young people united by a love of language may lead you on a quest for the title of best speller. As they stand at the microphone with the weight of competition upon them, participants arrive at turning points in their lives. They manage expectations, and some struggle to curb their sass all while dealing with three quirky adults running the bee. The audience is privy to thoughts that float through brains on stage—a patchwork quilt of complex home lives—as mouths utter the letters of strange and exciting words.

This production includes adult language and themes. It may not be appropriate for all audiences. It also includes short sequences of flashing lights.

Creative Team

Directed by Theresa Buchheister
Directed & Choreographed by Katherine Leverenz
Musical Direction by Jeremy Watson
Scenic Design by Katie Cooley
Costume Design by Erin Barnett
Lighting Design by Sean Ingram
Sound Design by Kitty Corum
Dramaturgy by James Kensinger
Stage Management by Jordan Cabuay

Cast

Chip Tolentino - Jack Yampolsky
Logainne Schwartzandgrubenniere - Maya Welde
Leaf Coneybear - Paul Ruf
William Barfee - Brandon Heflin
Marcy Park - Darryl Brundidge Jr.
Olive Ostrovsky - Natalie Loftus
Rona Lisa Perretti - Amy Schoelen
Vice Principal Douglas Panch - Casey Schenk
Mitch Mahoney - Essy Siegel
Understudies - Kylee Chee (Schwarzy/Olive), Zach Newkirk (Chip/Panch), Adelle Spiess (Rona/Mitch), and Christian Steger (Leaf/Barfee/Marcy)