Putnam County's 25th Annual Spelling Bee comes to the Rep

The hilarious, Tony Award-winning musical, THE 25th ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE, comes to the Seacoast Repertory Theatre this summer, so prepare yourself to feel the angst of fidgety adolescents who prove that the only thing worse than being 13, is being 13 while attempting to correctly spell words that most adults have probably never heard before.

Nominated for five Tony Awards and winner of two, SPELLING BEE is a hilarious tale of overachiever's angst chronicles the experience of six wacky misfits with steely ambition, vying for the spelling bee championship of a lifetime. overseen by grown-ups who barely managed to escape childhood themselves, they strive to define themselves apart from their crazy families as they confront the pitfalls of puberty and learning that winning isn't everything and losing doesn't necessarily make you a loser.

The New York Times called SPELLING BEE "...riotously funny and remarkably ingenious. Gold Stars all around!"

Directing SPELLING BEE is the Rep's Associate Artistic Director Bob Vernon. Vernon brings 25 years of theatre experience and a MFA from Penn State University to the Rep's creative team. He first came to work at the Rep in 1993 and has continued to return as an actor and director for the last 17 years. Most recently, he directed the Rep's critically acclaimed production of Rabbit Hole. The Creative Team for SPELLING BEE also includes; Catherine York (Musical Director), Joseph Gourley (Scenic Designer), Rick Silja (Costume Designer), Victoria Miller (Lighting Designer), Rachel Neubauer (Sound Designer), Aimee Denise Born* (AEA Stage Manager), Lauri Gagnon (Properties Mistress) and BENT Productions (Scenic Fabrication).

The cast for SPELLING BEE features talented local performers including Megan Quinn (Olive), Jamie Bradley (Barfee), Ashley Kelley (Rhona) and CJ Lewis (Leif) who have graced the Rep stage in previous productions. In addition, making their Rep debuts are Daniel Plimpton (Chip), Mary Janus (March), Lisa McDonough (Logan), Ken Sonkin* (Panch) and Kevin Smith Kirkwood* (Mitch Mahoney). Kirkwood's credits include the national tour of Spelling Bee and the Off-Broadway productions of It's Karate, Kid! The Musical, Dial 'N' for Negress and How to Save the World...in 90 Minutes.

You won't want to miss the show that spells a F-U-N-N-Y, E-N-J-O-Y-A-B-L-E and E-X-C-I-T-I-N-G evening of live theatre at the Rep!

Generously sponsored by Sheraton Portsmouth Harborside and The Provident Bank, SPELLING BEE plays on the Rep stage June 17 - July 16, 2011. Show times are Thursdays at 7:30pm, Fridays at 8pm, Saturdays at 2pm & 8pm and Sundays at 2pm. Single ticket prices range from $20- $35. Discounts are available to seniors and students as well as groups of 10 or more. To purchase tickets, become a season subscriber or for more information, visit www.seacoastrep.org, contact the Box Office at 603.433.4472, or visit in person at 125 Bow Street, Portsmouth, NH 03801.

Founded in 1987 and now under the Artistic Direction of Craig J. Faulkner the SEACOAST REPERTORY THEATRE is a not-for-profit arts and educational organization, which has been entertaining, enlightening and engaging audiences as New Hampshire's only year-round professional theatre for decades. Winner of countless regional and local awards, the Rep offers a complete schedule of award-winning musicals, plays and youth productions as well as educational opportunities for all ages with its youth workshops, classes, camps and Senior Moments programs.
*Members of Actors' Equity Association