Fountain Hills Youth Theater Presents THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE

Fountain Hills Theater is excited to announce the second production in their 2018-19 season-their 17th season as a full-time youth theater-"The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee," February 15-March 3, 2019. The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is spelled W-O-N-D-E-R-F-U-L and follows six awkward adolescents through their daunting and hilarious championship quest. As they navigate the tournament's pressures, the eccentric coterie finds a new sense of belonging. Along the way, they learn that there is more to life than winning a trophy.

The musical was based upon C-R-E-P-U-S-C-U-L-E, an original improvisational play created by Rebecca Feldman and performed by The Farm, a New-York-based improvisational comedy troupe. Sarah Saltzberg, Wendy Wasserstein's weekend nanny, was in the original production, and Wasserstein recommended that William Finn see the show. Finn brought Rachel Sheinkin on board, and they worked together with Feldman to transform "C-R-E-P-U-S-C-U-L-E" into a scripted full-length musical.

An unusual aspect of the show is that four real audience members are invited on stage to compete in the spelling bee alongside the six young characters. During the 2005 Tony Awards, former Presidential candidate Al Sharpton competed.

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is produced by Aimee Avery and directed by Ross Collins, musically directed by Mr. Jay Melberg, and choreographed by Jenny Iverson. The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee features Allison Avery, Will Altermann, Katherine Baier, Zolton Bonnenfant, Spencer Cihak, Kaitlyn Hohl, Connor Klein, Victoria Pond, Tori Richter, and Sophia Vanella.

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee will play February 15th through March 3rd, 2019. Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 7PM; and Sundays at 2PM. All tickets are $12.00.

Performances are at Fountain Hills Theater on its Youth Stage at 11445 N. Saguaro Blvd. (The Corner of Saguaro and Rand). Tickets are available through the Theater Box Office at (480) 837-9661 x3 and on our website www.fhtaz.org. Box Office Hours are 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM Tuesday through Saturday.