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THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE Presented by ArtReach Educational Theatre & Spotlite Theatrix Production

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ArtReach Educational Theatre in partnership with Spotlite Theatrix Production Company is staging The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Music and Lyrics by: William Finn, Book by: Rachel Sheinkin. Shows will be performed at The Leela Arts Center, located at 620 Lee Street in Des Plaines, IL. Performances will be on Friday, July 31stt at 7:30pm, Saturday, August 1st at 3pm and 7:30pm, and Sunday, August 2nd at 3pm. Tickets are $16 in advance, $18 at the door. For Ticket Info please call (630) 808-5852 or consult our website at www.artreachspotlite.com

An eclectic group of six mid-pubescents vie for the spelling championship of a lifetime. While candidly disclosing hilarious and touching stories from their home life, the tweens spell their way through a series of [potentially made-up] words hoping to never hear the soul-crushing, pout-inducing, life un-affirming "ding" of the bell that signals a spelling mistake. Six spellers enter; one speller leaves! At least the losers get a juice box.

The production is directed by Rocco Ayala (of Chicago) with Musical Direction by Mary Nicholas (of Palatine).

The cast includes Melissa Nakazawa (of Hoffman Estates) as Marcie, Madalyn Griseto (of Des Plaines) as Olive, Elizabeth Sample (of Elgin) as Schwartzy, Gabbi Jones (of Arlington Heights) as Olive's Mom, Justin Santostefano (of Elgin) as Chip, Jonah Parra (of Chicago) as Leif, Rocco Ayala (as Barfee), Tony Uzzle (of Algonquin) as Mitch, and Vinny Prisco (of St. Charles) as Hanz.

The mission of ArtReach Educational Theatre is to expose children to all aspects of theatre, music and dance. We accept any child from Beginner to Advanced performing levels with a genuine interest in the arts from age 5 through high school. All children are challenged and encouraged. We offer Private Voice Lessons, Dance and Acting Classes, Advanced Musical Theatre Workshops and Summer Arts Camp Programs in Palatine, IL.

For more information about our ArtReach programs taught by professional actors and teachers, please call 847-372-7798 or consult our websitewww.artreachspotlite.com.

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