Photo by HuthPhoto

TONY AWARD WINNER

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee

By Rachel Sheinkin Directed by Tracy Bersley

Music & lyrics by William Finn

Conceived by Rebecca Feldman

How do you spell F-U-N?!

This heartfelt musical comedy follows an eclectic group of six teens who compete 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 "ding" of the bell that signals a spelling mistake. Eight spellers enter; one speller leaves! At least the losers get a juice box.

AGE RECOMMENDATION

“The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” is a hilarious look at a group of elementary schools on the cusp of adolescence. While largely a fantastically funny and heartfelt musical, there are some themes that may be mature for some of our younger patrons. We recommend the show for audiences ages 8 and older.

Summer Youth Conservatory

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is the culmination of PlayMakers’ Summer Youth Conservatory, a six-week practicum for high school students—both on stage and behind the scenes—combining top-notch teaching with unparalleled practical experience. Students work with professional directors, choreographers, musical directors, and theatre technicians to mount a professional quality production for all to enjoy.

PlayBill

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“utterly hilarious, surprisingly warm, and almost criminally entertaining.”

Centerstage

Photos

Photo by HuthPhoto
Photo by HuthPhoto.
Buck Thornton with Mitra Samei and the cast. Photo by HuthPhoto.
Liv McIntyre with the cast. Photo by HuthPhoto.
Photo by HuthPhoto
Bjorn Parins with the cast. Photo by HuthPhoto.
Photo by HuthPhoto.
Kaelie Goss with the cast. Photo by HuthPhoto.
Webb Cummings. Photo by HuthPhoto
Mitra Samei with the cast. Photo by HuthPhoto.
Cat Copland with the cast. Photo by HuthPhoto.
Bryten Thomson with the cast. Photo by HuthPhoto.
Mitra Samei with Kaelie Goss and the cast. Photo by HuthPhoto.
Amari Bullett with the cast. Photo by HuthPhoto.
Webb Cummings with the cast. Photo by HuthPhoto.
Bryten Thomson with the cast. Photo by HuthPhoto.
Anton Peter with the cast. Photo by HuthPhoto.
Bjorn Parins with Mitra Samei and Buck Thornton. Photo by HuthPhoto.
Liv McIntyre with the cast. Photo by HuthPhoto
Micah Hughes with Liv McIntyre. Photo by HuthPhoto.
Anton Peter with Kaelie Goss and the cast. Photo by HuthPhoto
Kaelie Goss. Photo by HuthPhoto.
Anton Peter with the cast. Photo by HuthPhoto
Photo by HuthPhoto

Reviews

Scenes From the Return of PlayMakers’ Summer Youth Conservatory

Chapel Hill Magazine

October 26, 2022

Valeria Cloës