'SNL' Star Darrell Hammond to Join Spelling Bee, June 12

"Saturday Night Live's" Darrell Hammond will make his Broadway debut this summer when he joins the cast of the acclaimed Broadway musical The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee as Vice Principal Douglas Panch for a limited engagement, June 12 - July 19.

Hammond has been a regular cast member on "Saturday Night Live" for a record-setting 12 seasons, impersonating everyone from Regis Philbin to Jesse Jackson.  After playing President Bill Clinton throughout most of his time in office, Hammond has taken over playing practically the entire Bush Administration from Vice President Dick Cheney  to former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld. Hammond impersonated Vice President Al Gore in a performance that was used as a reference in preparation for the 2000 Presidential debates.  In April 1997,  Hammond was applauded in the media for his impersonation of President Clinton during a surprise appearance with the President himself at an event before thousands of government officials and members of the Washington Press Corps. He returned to D.C. to perform as himself for newly elected President George W. Bush at the White House Correspondents Dinner in 2001.

Hammond also starred opposite Anthony Hopkins and Alec Baldwin in The Devil and Daniel Webster, and in the films Scary Movie 3, Agent Cody Banks, Blues Brothers 2000, Celtic Pride, New York Minute and Epic Movie.  He also supplied the voice of Master Little in Disney's animated film The King and I.  He  received critical acclaim for his guest starring role as a deranged criminal defense lawyer on "Law & Order: SVU."  Hammond can be seen in the upcoming films Netherbeast Incorporated and Wieners.  He frequently tours comedy clubs and theaters.

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee currently stars Aaron J. Albano, Stanley Bahorek, Jenni Barber, Jared Gertner, James Monroe Iglehart, Sara Inbar, Greta Lee, Mo Rocca, and Jennifer Simard.

"A hilariously hip musical comedy, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee features six young people in the throes of puberty, overseen by grown-ups who barely managed to escape childhood themselves, learning that winning isn't everything and that losing doesn't necessarily make you a loser," as the show is described in press materials.

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is the Tony Award-winning musical with music and lyrics by William Finn, book by Rachel Sheinkin, conceived by Rebecca Feldman and directed by James Lapine.

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is performed at Broadway's Circle in the Square (50th St., between Broadway and 8th) on the following schedule:  Tuesday at 7pm, Wednesday - Friday at 8pm, Saturday at 2pm and 8pm, and Sunday at 3pm and 7:30pm.  Tickets are available through Telecharge, (212) 239-6200 or www.telecharge.com, or by visiting the Circle in the Square Theatre box office.  Tickets prices are $100.00 and $50.00.  Premium seating is available.

For more information, please visit www.spellingbeethemusical.com.