Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre Presents SPELLING BEE Thru 1/30

Excitement begins with a Bee as Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre opens its 38th Season early with a hilarious Broadway show that's new to its stage. The Tony Award-winning musical comedy The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee premieres at Beef & Boards now through Jan. 30.

Competitive overachievers in the throes of puberty face off in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. Growing up isn't easy, and these six outsiders are overseen by adults who've barely managed to escape childhood themselves. Although they're struggling to fit in most of the time, these quirky-but-charming adolescents are determined that the spelling bee is the one place they want to stand out. While they may be smart, they learn some surprising lessons during their quest to become the champion.

And get ready for more, because members of the audience join in the fun at this interactive show when some are selected to participate as spellers, making each performance unique! It all spells h-i-l-a-r-i-t-y from start to finish.

Beef & Boards favorites Sarah Hund (Smoke on the Mountain series, The Foreigner, The Sound of Music), Jayson Elliott (Smoke on the Mountain series, Oklahoma!, Treasure Island), Tiana Checchia (Peter Pan, A Beef & Boards Christmas 2008, The Wizard of Oz), Dominic Sheahan-Stahl (Footloose, Thoroughly Modern Millie) and Licia Watson (Church Basement Ladies) join newcomers DaRon Lamar Williams, Kiyo Takami, Seth Tucker and Paul Hansen for this production that is directed by J.R. Stuart. Kristy Templet is musical director and Doug King is choreographer.

There are 35 performances of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee in the intimate atmosphere of Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre. Tickets range from $36 to $59 for all performances (except New Year's Eve), and include Chef Odell Ward's specially prepared dinner buffet, fruit and salad bar, coffee and tea. Full bar service and gourmet desserts are also available.

This show is being given a "PG-13" rating for some immodest humor.

For reservations, call the Beef & Boards Box Office at 317.872.9664. Box office hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays.

For complete show schedule, visit www.beefandboards.com.