Marriott Theater Presents PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE, Opening 5/20

Get out your dictionaries! Celebrating 35 years of producing award-winning musical theater in Chicagoland, The Marriott Theatre is thrilled to present this side-splitting production of the Tony Award-winning musical comedy The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee previews May 13th, opens May 20th, and runs through July 19th at the Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive.

The New York Times says: "Can you spell i-r-r-e-s-i-s-t-i-b-l-e? Spelling Bee is riotously funny and remarkably ingenious. Gold stars all around." In the Wall Street Journal, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee was called, "...perfect in every possible way - that rarity of rarities, a super-smart musical that is also a bona fide crowd-pleaser. An ingenious blend of simplicity and sophistication, it's not merely funny, it's wise."

Hot off the Broadway stage, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is a tuneful, offbeat and at times heartwarming tale that follows the story of six pubescent outcasts who are overseen by grown-ups who barely managed to escape childhood themselves. Through the ups and downs of the BEE they're forced to learn that winning isn't everything and that losing doesn't necessarily make you a loser. The comical bar is raised exponentially as four volunteer audience members get the opportunity to become part of the action as an on-stage BEE contestant. The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is recommended for theatergoers 13 and older.

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee features witty and endearing music and lyrics by William Finn and a hilarious book by Rachel Sheinkin. The musical is based upon C-R-E-P-U-S-C-U-L-E by Rebecca Feldman and was originally performed by The Farm, a New York-based improvisational comedy troupe. Nominated for six Tony Awards including Best Musical, it received two 2005 Tony Awards for Best Book of a Musical and Best Featured Actor in a Musical.

The cast for The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee stars Katie Boren as Marcy Park, Roberta Duchak as Rona Lisa Peretti, Heidi Kettenring as Olive Ostrovsky, Kevin Smith Kirkwood as Mitch Mahoney, Michael Mahler as Isaac "Chip" Berkowitz, Brandy McClendon as Logainne Schwarzandgrubenierre, Eric Roediger as William Barfee, Derrick Trumbly as Leaf Coneybear and Michael Weber as Douglas Panch. Kyle Adams, Lara Filip, Chie Isobe and Travis Turner serve as the production's understudies.

Andy Hite, Lead Artistic Director, heads the artistic team for The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, with Direction and Choreography by Rachel Rockwell, and Musical Direction by Doug Peck. Sound Design is by Robert E. Gilmartin IV, Properties Design by Gregory Isaac, Lighting Design by Jesse Klug, Costume Design by Nancy Missimi, and Set Design by Tomas M. Ryan. Patti Garwood conducts the Marriott Theatre orchestra.

The performance schedule for all shows is Wednesdays at 1:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m., Thursdays and Fridays at 8:00 p.m., Saturdays at 4:30 p.m. and 8:00 p.m., and Sundays at 1:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. Ticket prices are $45.00, excluding tax and handling fees. A $5.00 discount for students and seniors is valid for all performances excluding Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 p.m. With the purchase of a $55 ticket on Wednesdays or Thursdays, dinner is included at the King's Wharf Restaurant or the Fairfield Inn (based on dining availability). Dinners on Friday, Saturday and Sunday range from $32 - $43 per person (includes tax). Free parking is available at all performances. To reserve tickets with a major credit card, call the Marriott Theatre Box Office at 847.634.0200 or visit www.MarriottTheatre.com for more information.