The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee

Performances

Adults $20  |  Students $15

August 4th & 5th at 2pm and 7pm

August 6th at 2pm

Aspen High School Black Box

Run time: 85 minutes, no intermission.

Music and Lyrics by William Finn

Book by Rachel Sheinkin

Conceived by Rebecca Feldman

Additional Material By Jay Reiss

Originally Directed on Broadway by James Lapine

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. www. MTIShows.com

About the Show

An eclectic group of sixth-graders arrives at the 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, each eager to win for very different reasons. Sweet and shy Olive brings only her best friend (the dictionary) with her to the bee; bold and hyperallergic speller William Barfee uses his “magic foot” to propel him to greatness; former champion Chip is struggling with his burgeoning puberty; easily distracted Leaf is unconvinced that they’re smart enough to be a challenger; overachiever Marcy is disappointed by her consistent success; and politically aware Logainne Schwartzandgrubenierre only wants to impress her gay dads. In hilarious, touching, and catchy songs, each speller reveals his/her hopes, struggles, and passions as they make their way through the competition. With an engaging, tuneful score by William Finn and a sweet, funny book by Rachel Sheinkin, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee causes audiences to fall in love, both with the show itself and its “perspicacious,” “jocular,” and “effervescent” spellers.

About the Creative Team

Artistic Team

Directed & Choreographed by Vanessa Strahan

Music Direction by Christina Wenning

Assistant Director & Assistant Choreographer: Annie Caine

Cast

Alana O……………………….Speller #2/Jesus/Leaf’s Sibling

Caroline G………….Speller #4/Dan Dad/Leaf’s Mom

Daisy D……………Speller #1/Olive’s Mom/Leaf’s Sibling

Eliza M……………………………………………………Mitch Mahoney

Ellen R……………………….Logainne Schwartzandgrubenniere

Henry C……….Vice Principal Douglas Paunch/Olive’s Dad

Iggy R……………………………………………Leaf Coneybear

Kathy A………………………………………………….Rona Lisa Peretti

Katie H…………………………………………Olive Ostrovsky

Khalil K………………………………………….Chip Tolentino

Mino K……………………………………………….Marcy Park

Parker F……………………………………………………William Barfee

Ruby S………………………Speller #3/Carl Dad/Leaf’s Sibling

Backstage Help

We are always in need of backstage help for our productions! If you are a high school student or older and are interested in assisting on one of our productions, please reach out to education@theatreaspen.org.