All In Productions Announces Next Show THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE

All In Productions, a Milwaukee-based theater company that emphasizes the employment of local actors and artists, announced its next production will be The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.

Putnam is a musical comedy with music and lyrics by William Finn and a book by Rachel Sheinkin. The show focuses on a fictional spelling bee at Putnam Valley Middle School, with six young adolescents competing in the Bee run by three quirky adults. It is notable for its involvement of audience members in the production, who are invited to come on stage to compete in the Bee, as well as its use of improvisational comedy.

"We are excited to tackle our first comedic show in quite a while, and one that will make excellent use of the talents of the many great performers we have in this community," said Robby McGhee, Artistic Director of All In Productions. "This is a show audience members are going to want to see more than once, as it will turn out a little different each night and will be a whole lot of fun every single time."

Directing the show is Mitch Weindorf, who directed the critically acclaimed production of Constellations. The cast for the show features Samantha Sostarich (Rona Lisa Peretti), McGhee (Vice Principal Douglas Panch), Ernest Bell (Mitch Mahoney), Ashley Oviedo (Marcy Park), Ava Bush (Olive Ostrovsky), Stephanie Staszak (Logainne SchwarzandGrubenierre), Adam Qutaishat (Leaf Coneybear), Gage Patterson (William Barfee) and Matt Zeman (Chip Tolentino).

All In Productions is producing the show at Next Act Theater's performing space, which has hosted a number of the company's other musical productions, most recently Hedwig and the Angry Inch in September 2018. Performances run from May 16 to 25. Tickets will soon be on sale at www.nextact.org.

"We can't wait to bring this fun, high-energy show to Milwaukee audiences this spring, and are already eager to get started on rehearsals," said McGhee.

For more information about All In Productions, its shows, and its podcast, WAIP, visit www.allin-mke.com.

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