Winning (and losing) isn’t everything.
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. In this beloved musical, six spellers enter; one speller leaves a champion! (At least the losers get a goodbye song and a juice box.) Directed by Farmers Alley Theatre founder and Executive Director Rob Weiner, it’s a joyful night of comedy and quirk that celebrates the pursuit of victory and the gift of being true to oneself.
Winner of the Tony and the Drama Desk Awards for Best Book, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee shines with effortless wit and humor and features a cast full of Farmers Alley favorites including founder Denene Mulay Koch as moderator (and former spelling champion) Rona Lisa Peretti. A fast-paced, wildly funny and touching musical with a truly fresh and vibrant score, this is one bee you won’t forget!
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
Credits
Music & Lyrics by William Finn
Book by Rachel Sheinkin
Conceived by Rebecca Feldman
Eclecticism has been the hallmark of music director and pianist Chris Gray’s career. He started in the arts as a young actor in community/local theater and musical theater productions before pursuing the music aspect full time, music directing his first show (ANNIE) at the age of 17. In addition to his theater appearances, Chris is active as a music coach and pianist at WMU, and maintains a local piano studio. Chris is thrilled to be back at Farmers Alley for another Kathy Mulay show, he was last seen as the music director for WORKING, A MUSICAL; A GENTLEMAN’S GUIDE TO LOVE AND MURDER; and our fabulous 15th anniversary fundraiser BRIGHT STARS: A BENEFIT CONCERT EVENT.
Roger is excited to be in his 11th season as Farmers Alley Theatre's Equity Stage Manager. Roger started his theatre journey in second grade and has been traveling that road ever since. As an actor and technician Roger has graced many stages and has been at Farmers Alley since season two. Some of his favorites in recent years are NEXT TO NORMAL, THE PRODUCERS, PETER AND THE STARCATCHER, THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, MURDER FOR TWO, and THE CURIOUS INCIDENT…. Roger would like to thank his family and educators who got him hooked on live theatre. There is nothing quite like experiencing a live production with a live audience. Proud member of Actors Equity Association.
A Kalamazoo native, Savannah has spent the bulk of her career working as a freelance designer, stage manager and technician throughout Michigan, Pennsylvania and North Carolina. Prior to freelancing, she was the Stage Management Associate for the Kalamazoo Civic Theatre and Props Designer/SM for Millbrook Playhouse. With a multitude of shows under her belt she prides herself in her fake food, antiquing skills and her ability to paint wood to look like different wood.
Lanny is thrilled to be working with the incredibly talented team of SONDHEIM ON SONDHEIM! Lanny’s work includes 5 Michigan Wilde Awards (“best of” in lighting design) for Farmers Alley productions of GYPSY, THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA, BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY, CAMELOT, and BRIGHT STAR; a national lighting award for FUN HOME from the John F. Kennedy Center, multiple regional design awards (Atlanta, Detroit, Lansing), and two Governor’s Commendations (Georgia and Michigan). He is a member of the Farmers Alley Theatre Board and provides event production design work internationally. Lanny would like to thank his family for allowing him to pursue his passions.
Mike is returning as Farmers Alley Theatre’s full time Technical Director. Mike has previously served as the audio engineer at Chenery Auditorium, a stagehand at Miller Auditorium, and the TD for the Battle Creek Symphony Orchestra. Specializing in taking things apart – but not necessarily putting them back together again – Mike is ready to keep taking on the unique challenges and opportunities at Farmers Alley Theatre.
Running Time
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Content Advisory
Farmers Alley does not offer advisories about subject matter, as sensitivities vary from person to person. If you have any questions about content, age-appropriateness or stage effects (such as strobe lights or theatrical fog) that might have a bearing on patron comfort, please contact the box office at 269.343.2727
Contains mild adult language and innuendos. Recommended for audiences 13 and up. Farmers Alley Theatre does not offer further advisories about subject matter, as sensitivities vary from person to person. If you have any additional questions about content, age-appropriateness or stage effects (such as strobe lights or theatrical fog) that might have a bearing on patron comfort, please contact the box office at 269.343.2727