The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee at Farmers Alley Theatre

Winning (and losing) isn’t everything!

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 lives. The tweens spell their way through a series of (potentially made-up) words, hoping never to hear the soul-crushing, pout-inducing, life un-affirming "ding" of the bell that signals a spelling mistake. In this beloved musical, six spellers enter; one speller leaves a champion! (At least the losers get a goodbye song and a juice box.) Directed by Farmers Alley Theatre founder and Executive Director Rob Weiner, it’s a joyful night of comedy and quirk that celebrates the pursuit of victory and the gift of being true to oneself.

Winner of the Tony and the Drama Desk Awards for Best Book, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee shines with effortless wit and humor and features a cast full of Farmers Alley favorites including founder Denene Mulay Koch as moderator (and former spelling champion) Rona Lisa Peretti. A fast-paced, wildly funny and touching musical with a truly fresh and vibrant score, this is one bee you won’t forget!

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee runs from June 12 through June 23 at the Festival Playhouse on the campus of Kalamazoo College (129 Thompson St, Kalamazoo, MI 49006). Tickets start at $45. $10 rush tickets are offered for all performances starting 1 hour prior to curtain (subject to availability, theatergoers must be present at the box office). Student ticket pricing is $15 for all shows. Preview performance tickets on Wednesday, June 12th are $25. Tickets are available for purchase at www.farmersalleytheatre.com or by calling the Box Office at (269) 343-2727.