Conceived by Rebecca Feldman
Additional Material by Jay Reiss
Music and Lyrics by William Finn
Book by Rachel Sheinkin
Directed by Fred Sternfeld
Music Direction by Nick Klein
Choreography by Jen Justice
May 16 – June 8, 2025
Selected audience members will be asked to participate.
*NEW* Talk-Back Discussion with the Cast & Crew after the show on Saturday, May 17th and Sunday, May 25th
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. Six spellers enter; one speller leaves a champion! At least the losers get a juice box.
Content warning: This show also includes adult language, sexual innuendo, an irreverent depiction of religious figures, gay parents, references to anxiety and family issues, and a song about an “unfortunate erection.” And it’s all very funny!
Our cast:
Brandon Alexander as Mitch Mahoney / Dan’s Dad / Olive’s Dad
Samuel Bartlett as Leaf Coneybear / Carl’s Dad
Alex Craig as William Barfee
Brooke Hamilton as Olive Ostrovsky
Reed Kruger as Chip Tolentino / Jesus
Lorna Jane Patterson as Logaine Schwartzandgrubeniere
Camila A. Piñero as Marcy Park
Leah Saltzer as Rona Lisa Peretti / Olive’s Mom
Cody Swanson as Douglas Panch
Grant Guyton as Understudy / Swing for Mitch Mahoney
Douglas F. Bailey as Understudy / Swing for Barfee and Panch
Ryan Kacmar as Understudy / Swing for Rona (2nd for Schwarzy behind Emily)
Michael Ryan as Understudy / Swing for Chip and Leaf
Emily Sedmak as Understudy / Swing for Olive, Marcy and Schwarzy
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
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee