Photo Flash: First Look at THE 25th ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE at Drama Learning Center

Tickets are now on sale for The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee at Drama Learning Center in Columbia. The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee centers around a fictional spelling bee in Putnam Valley Middle School. Quirky adolescents compete in the Bee, run by equally quirky grown-ups. The 2005 Broadway production was nominated for six Tony Awards, and won two, including Best Book. As with the original Broadway production, this iteration will also involve audience participation. Select audience members will be brought up on stage to round out the cast as spellers each performance. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

With music and lyrics by William Finn (Falsettos, A New Brain, Little Miss Sunshine) and a book by Rachel Sheinkin, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is a hilarious tale of overachievers' angst.

As a part of Drama Learning Center's ongoing partnership with Howard Community College, HCC Arts Collective Producing Artistic Direct Sue Kramer will work the students on the improvisation skills in preparation for this unique theatrical event.

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is presented with permission through special arrangement with Music Theatre International. Drama Learning Center is currently in the midst of an Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign to raise money for new seats in the theatre. It is the intention to unveil the newly installed seats on opening night of Spelling Bee.

Drama Learning Center's Teen Professional Company, TYA (Teaching Young Actors), presents its winter production of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee from now through January 25, 2014 at Drama Learning Center in Columbia. The TYA program allows students to work in a professional theatre environment as they learn about all aspects of theatrical work.

Production Staff: Director: Stephanie Lynn Williams; Music Director: Tiffany Underwood Holmes; Lighting Design: Cory Jones; Costume Design: Amy Weimer; and Stage Management: Amy Williamson.

Starring TYA Company Members: Lauren Alberg, Flora Aubin, Meredith Beisel, Claire Cerand, Lila Cooper, Bobby Grady, Cassidy Graham, Lindsay Hopkins, Hailey Ibberson, Mary Shea Kealey-Kustas, Kaity Krull, Leisha Mahajan, Sarah Nalty, Jason Quackenbush, Ryan Ritzes, Sophie Smith, Tori Stroud, Shannon Taylor, Amanda Updegrove, Dumar Valencia. Featuring TYA Alum: Seth Fallon. Featuring Special Guest Artists: Dean Allen Davis and Patrick J. Prebula.

Show Dates & Times: January 17-18, 23-25 @ 7:30 PM; January 19 @ 2:00 pm. Tickets: On sale now at www.dramalearningcenter.com or by calling 410-997-9392. $16 in advance and $17 at the door. Location: Drama Learning Center is located at 9130-I Red Branch Rd., Columbia, MD 21045.

2026 Theater Fans' Choice Awards - Live Stats

Best Off-Broadway Musical - Top 3

1. The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee - New World Stages

24.2% of votes

2. Mexodus - Minetta Lane Theatre

12.4% of votes

3. Bat Boy - City Center

9.1% of votes

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