The Waterfront Playhouse Presents THE 25th ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE
By: Beau Higgins
(Image By Richard Watherwax)
THE WATERFRONT PLAYHOUSE PRESENTS "THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE"
The Waterfront Playhouse will open the Broadway musical "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" on Thursday, March 8th. This Tony Award-winning musical is the jubilant and touching story of a group of prepubescent overachievers who are pitted against one another in the spelling challenge of a lifetime. The New York Times raved that "Spelling Bee" is "irresistible, riotously funny and remarkably ingenious – gold stars all around!"
"The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" will have two low-priced previews on March 6th and 7th. Opening night of March 8th will have a catered post-performance party sponsored by Tom and Kathy Cawley. All performances are at 8 pm. The production is sponsored by Jennifer Cornell and Small Chef at Large and Preferred Properties Coastal Realty, Inc. The 2011/12 season is sponsored by Wodu Media, Digital Island Media and ATT: The Real Yellow Pages.
"Spelling Bee" was conceived by Rebecca Feldman with music and lyrics by William Finn and the book by Rachel Sheinkin. The musical centers on a fictional spelling bee set in a geographically ambiguous Putnam Valley Middle School. Six quirky adolescents compete in the Bee, run by three equally-quirky grown-ups. Part of the unique aspect of "Spelling Bee" is that four audience volunteers are chosen nightly through a pre-show interview process to be participants of the spelling bee, making each performance unique. Amid infectious songs and whip-smart lyrics, these nerdy and wordy kids learn that winning isn't everything and that losing doesn't necessarily make you a loser. The Wall Street Journal said, "Spelling Bee is a super-smart show that is also a bona fide crowd pleaser."
Created through a workshop process, "Spelling Bee" opened Off Broadway where it became an instant success thanks to universal rave reviews and incredible buzz. The show eventually moved to Broadway where it ran for 3 years. Nominated for six Tony Awards, including Best Musical, it won two Tonys, including Best Book of a Musical. The Philadelphia Inquirer said "The word for 'Spelling Bee' is w-o-n-d-e-r-f-u-l!"
"Spelling Bee" will be directed by the Waterfront's artistic director, Danny Weathers, with musical direction by Michael Fauss and choreography by Penny Leto, the same team responsible for such hits as "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels," "The Full Monty" and "Reefer Madness." The cast includes a top notch line-up of local talent that includes Justin Ahearn (Leaf Coneybear), Eric Cole (William Barfee), Marc Crow (Chip Tolentino), Jessica Miano Kruel (Olive Ostovsky), Rebecca Larkin (Marcy Park), Kristen Michelle (Logainne Schwartzandgrubenierre), Gayla Morgan (Rona Lisa Perretti), Joe McMurray (Vice Principal Panch) and Kenney Pugh (Mitch Mahoney.)
Michael Boyer creates the school gymnasium set where the spelling bee takes place with Kim Hanson designing the lighting and Leigh Hooten creating the costumes. Lisa Alderdice acts as stage manager.
For tickets call 305-294-5015 or purchase them online at www.waterfrontplayhouse.org. Performances run Tuesday to Saturday for the next 5 weeks. Please check the website for more information. In addition to the $25 preview performances (3/6 & 7), check out the Friday Night Special for discounted ticket prices. The Waterfront Playhouse musicals sell out on a regular basis, so please book early. Do not miss this charming musical!
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