Media Theatre's 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE Opens March 3

"The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" has its regional premiere March 3-28 at The Media Theatre.

The hilarious one act musical comedy takes place at a fictional spelling bee in Putnam Valley Middle School. Six quirky junior high school students participate in the bee. One of the humorous highlights of the show is that the students are portrayed by adult actors.

An interesting aspect of the show is that four audience members are chosen at each performance to compete with the characters in the bee. On certain nights during the show's run, Celebrity Guest Spellers will join in the fun onstage. Media Mayor Bob McMahon will have his stage debut the weekend of March 19 and 20. Any Media Borough resident may see the show on the Mayor's nights for $25.

Other guest spellers include: Notre Dame Academy principal Joe D'Angelo on March 5, Media Elementary principal Maria Kotch on March 6, Community leader Jack Holefelder March 10, Rotarian Art Leahy March 17, Harley-Davidson HOGS March 18, and Media Borough Council member Monika Rehoric March 24.

"Adults enjoy the show's humor," said Artistic Director Jesse Cline. "What makes it memorable is the improvisation that takes place at each performance, as well as the audience interaction. So it's always completely different. It also reminds us that the personalities we began to develop in junior high school have somehow stayed with us over the years, at least to a small extent. It's like taking a trip back in time while respectfully giggling at who we once were."

In The Media Theatre's "25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" the role of Olive, the newcomer to competitive spelling who awaits her father's arrival throughout the bee, is played by Ephie Aardema. Ephie has appeared Off-Broadway in "Dear Edwina" and in regional theatre productions "Hair", "Crazy for You", "Seussical", and "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels". She received the CongressionAl Gold Medal for Outstanding Youth, is an international Tap Dance Champion, and a proud graduate of Circle in the Square Theatre School.

"The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee", with music and lyrics by William Finn and a book by Rachel Sheinkin, won two Tony Awards in 2005. The New York Times calls the show "Riotously funny and remarkably ingenious".

For tickets to the musical comedy which plays 90 minutes with no intermission, call The Media Theatre at 610-891-0100 or visit www.mediatheatre.org

Photo: Professional actress Ephie Aardema as 'Olive'.

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