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The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee


The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee

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
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). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.mtishows.com

In Loving Memory

On April 23, 2024, KWMP and the KW Arts Community in general lost a long-time and cherished member, volunteer and advocate in Gary Shantz. Gary, known most widely as the best usher around, loved the arts in all its forms and participated behind the scenes at productions, as an audience member and as a board member for multiple organizations throughout the Region. His impact on and love for this community is hard to measure but is felt by all who knew him.

To honour Gary’s legacy to KWMP and to the KW arts community as a whole, we are dedicating this run of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee in his honour. We will miss you Gary!

Performances

Where: KWMP Arts Centre (14 Shaftsbury Drive, Kitchener)

Performances:

Director: Rebecca Deeming

Music Director: Martin Lacoste

Choreographer: Caroline McLaughlin

Cast:

Chip Tolentino Tristan Pilcher
Logainne Schwartzandgrubenierre Ruth Guerra
Leaf Coneybear Heather Agnew
Willam Barfee Charlie Brohman
Marcy Park Melanie Cabral
Olive Ostrovsky Raquel Fiaes
Rona Lisa Peretti Becky Roi
Douglas Panch Adrian Hoyte
Mitch Mahoney Adam Steblin


PLEASE NOTE: This musical is rated PG-13 and is a satire of stereotypes. There is a song about puberty and other young adult theme jokes throughout.

Synopsis

In a high school gym, long-time hostess, Rona Lisa Peretti, finalizes the preparations for the annual county spelling bee, reminiscing about her own spelling bee victory, many years prior. The current crop of spelling contenders arrives (“The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee”). The contestants include last year’s champ, Chip (a boy scout), Schwartzy (the youngest and most politically aware contestant), Coneybear (the somewhat wide-eyed offspring of hippie parents), Barfee (an allergy-plagued student), Marcy (an over-achieving Asian-American) and Olive (a tentative newcomer).

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.

A riotous ride, complete with audience participation, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is a delightful den of comedic genius.

Interested in Volunteering for the Show?

KWMP is looking for volunteers to help out with ushering, hall maintenance, set construction, painting, sewing, advertising and other jobs that help create the show. Please visit kwmp.ca/get-involved if you would like to volunteer.