Point Park University's Playhouse Jr. to Present THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE, 5/23-6/8

Point Park University's Playhouse Jr. closes its 65th season with The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, the hilarious Tony Award-winning musical that The New York Times called "irresistible and entirely lovable."

Directed by Zeva Barzell, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee opens Friday, May 23, and runs through Sunday, June 8, in the Rauh Theatre at the Pittsburgh Playhouse, 222 Craft Ave.

Public performances will begin at 7 p.m., Friday and Saturday, and 2 p.m., Saturday and Sunday. Tickets are $7 and can be purchased by calling the Pittsburgh Playhouse box office at 412.392.8000, or at www.pittsburghplayhouse.com. Special performances for school field trips are available. For more information about field trips, call the Pittsburgh Playhouse box office. Please note the show contains some adult content and is recommended for audiences ages 13 and older.

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee gives the squeaky clean tradition of the county spelling bee a fresh treatment when the gawky contestants - including four selected audience members - compete for local glory, their parents' affection and, of course, cash. Along the way, they learn the value of doing the best they can and enjoying what they do. Spelling Bee won two Tony Awards, three Drama Desk Awards and two Lucille Lortel Awards.

The Playhouse Jr. production features scenic design by Michael Thomas Essad, costumes by Don DiFonso, lighting design by Todd Nonn and sound design by Steve Shapiro. Camille Villalpando Rolla is the music director. Hugo Schroeder is the stage manager.

Photo by Jeff Swensen