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Photos: Inside Opening Night of THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE at Music Theater Works

The musical is now playing through March 31.

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Music Theater Works officially opened its first production of its 2024 season, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, in the North Theatre at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts In Skokie.

The musical is now playing through March 31.  Check out photos from opening night below!

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, conceived by Rebecca Feldman, additional material by Jay Reiss, music and lyrics by William Finn and book by Rachel Sheinkin, is directed and choreographed by Christopher Pazdernik, assistant directed and choreographed by Keely Vasquez and music directed by Michael McBride.

The cast of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee includes Neala Barron (she/her, Rona Lisa Peretti); Zach Kunde (he/him, Douglas Panch); Michael Davis Arnold (he/him, Mitch Mahoney); Will Koski (he/him, William Barfée); Rachel Guth (she/her, Olive Ostrovsky); Jamie Dillon Grossman (she/her, Logainne  Schwartzandgrubenierre); Mai Hartwich (she/her, Marcy Park); Joe Lewis (he/him, Leaf Coneybear) and Brandon Acosta (he/him, Chip Tolentino). The understudies include Joselle Reyes (she/her, Marcy/Olive U/S); Kevin Parra (he/him, Leaf/Chip U/S); Dane Strange (he/him, Barfée/Mitch U/S); Lilli Galuzzo (she/they, Logainne/Rona U/S) and Bryson Howard (he/him, Panch U/S). 

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee’s band includes Michael McBride (he/him, conductor/keyboard 1); Kevin Disch (he/him, keyboard 2); Rachel Schuldt (she/her, cello); Patrick Rehker (he/him, reeds) and Ben Heppner (he/him, percussion).

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee’s creative team is Christopher Pazdernik (any with respect, director/choreographer); Keely Vasquez (she/her, assistant director and assistant choreographer); Michael McBride (he/him, music director); Amber Wuttke (she/her, fight & intimacy choreographer); Allison Gonzales (she/her, stage manager); Ethan Colish (he/him, assistant stage manager); Ben Lipinski (he/him, scenic designer/paint charge); Ab Rieve (they/them, props designer); Kristen Brinatti (she/her, costume designer); Melanie Saso (she/her, asst. hair, wig and makeup designer); Levi K. Wilkins (he/him, lighting designer); Forrest Gregor (he/him, sound designer) and Andersonville Scenic Studios (scene shop).

Photo Credit: Music Theater Works 

Photos: Inside Opening Night of THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE at Music Theater Works Image
Director/Choreographer Christopher Pazdernik and Assistant Director/Choreographer Keely Vasquez with the cast

Photos: Inside Opening Night of THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE at Music Theater Works Image
Mai Hartwich, Will Koski, Jamie Dillon Grossman, Brandon Acosta,Will Koski, Jamie Dillon Grossman, Joe Lewis and Rachel Guth

Photos: Inside Opening Night of THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE at Music Theater Works Image
Director/Choreographer Christopher Pazdernik and Assistant Director/Choreographer Keely Vasquez

Photos: Inside Opening Night of THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE at Music Theater Works Image
Zach Kunde, Neala Barron and Michael Davis Arnold

Photos: Inside Opening Night of THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE at Music Theater Works Image
Ben Lipinski, Allison Gonzales, Riley Woods, Will Hughes, Ethan Colish, Chris Chase, Kristen Brinati, Ab Rieve, Kyle A. Dougan, Abbey Nettleton and Levi J. Wilkins.

Photos: Inside Opening Night of THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE at Music Theater Works Image
Production Manager Chris Chase, Managing Director Christopher Riley, Company Manager Allison Gonzales and Producing Artistic Director Kyle A. Dougan







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