Grab Your Dictionary! Multiple Tony Winning THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE Comes to Florida Rep

Florida Repertory Theatre is pleased to announce the opening of the multiple Tony-winning musical comedy "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" in the Historic Arcade Theatre. Playing March 24-April 12 with four near-sold-out previews March 21-23, tickets are already going fast for the hilarious musical that took Broadway by storm.

With a Tony-nominated Best Score by William Finn and Tony-winning Best Book by Rachel Sheinkin, "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" is known for its unique humor, originality, and heartfelt story. The New York Times raved, "[Spelling Bee is] an entirely adorable new musical! Quirky, satirical, riotously funny!"

"This is one of the funniest and most inventive musicals to come along in decades," said Producing Artistic Director, Robert Cacioppo, "it is smart, irreverent, full of heart, and keeps you laughing as every night four audience members are brought onstage to join the competition. It's been a while since we've produced a musical like this in the Arcade Theatre, and I am delighted to break that streak with this one. It is a really refreshing coming of age story that will take audiences back to tween years to relive the triumphs and defeats with a great score and clever characters. This will be the hottest ticket in town, so don't miss out."

Six spellers enter the bee, but only one will walk away a winner in this Tony Award & Drama Desk-winning musical that has charmed audiences nationwide with its effortless wit and edgy humor! Hilarious and warm-hearted, this riotous musical comedy follows six adolescent misfits vying for the spelling championship of a lifetime. As these tweens - and even the audience - spell their way through a series of outrageous words, they learn winning isn't everything - but the loser gets a juice box!

"The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" features an all-star line-up of musical theatre talent out of New York and regional theatres across the country. Audiences will recognize ensemble member Brendan Powers, seen most recently in "The Mousetrap" and last season's nationally acclaimed hit, "The Cocktail Hour". Out of New York, Bruce Warren returns after having been seen in 2015's "Around the World in 80 Days", and Katrina Michaels after appearing in 2014's ArtStage Studio production of "Tribes". Also out of New York and making their Florida Rep debuts are Anne Chamberlain, Deon'te Goodman, Cassandra Hlong, T.J. Wagner, Evan Zimmerman, and Florida and regional stage veteran, Laura Hodos.

Florida Rep Associate Director and ensemble member, Jason Parrish ("A Christmas Story", "The Fantasticks") directs the production, and is joined by an expert team of designers including musical director, Victoria Casella ("Fascinatin' Gershwin"), choreographer Jennifer Byrne (currently appearing in "Shear Madness"), set designer Mike Winkelman (debut), lighting designer, Tyler M. Perry (debut), costume designer, Dina Perez ("Shear Madness", "Too Marvelous For Words"), sound designer, John Kiselica ("To Kill a Mockingbird", "Shear Madness"), and ensemble stage manager, Amy L. Massari ("The Mousetrap" "Erma Bombeck: At Wit's End").

"The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" plays March 24-April 12 in the Historic Arcade Theatre with four nearly sold-out previews on March 21 at 8pm, March 22 at 2pm and 8pm, and March 23 at 8pm. Regular performances are Tuesday-Saturday at 8pm, with matinees on Wednesday, Sunday, and select Saturdays.

Priced at $25-$52 and $$25-$32 for discounted previews, single tickets are now on sale through the box office at 239-332-4488 and online at www.floridarep.org.

"The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" is generously sponsored by Sam Galloway Ford.

Florida Repertory Theatre performs in the Historic Arcade Theatre and the ArtStage Studio Theatre on Bay St. between Jackson & Hendry with free parking in the Fort Myers River District. Visit Florida Rep online at FloridaRep.org, and by following the company on Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, and Instagram.

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