Bay Area Musicals! to Present 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE

Bay Area Musicals!, the newest non-profit theatrical organization to join the vibrant San Francisco Bay Area arts community, opens its second season with the Tony Award-winning musical comedy, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. This thrilling and hilarious musical centers around an eclectic group of six mid-pubescents vying for the spelling championship of a lifetime. While candidly disclosing hilarious and touching stories from their home life, the tweens spell their way through a series of [potentially made-up] words, hoping to never hear the soul-crushing, pout-inducing, life un-affirming "ding" of the bell that signals a spelling mistake. Six spellers enter; one speller leaves! At least the losers get a juice box. Winner of the Tony and Drama Desk Awards for Best Book, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee has charmed audiences across the country with its effortless wit and humor. Featuring a fast-paced wildly funny and touching book by Rachel Sheinkin and a truly fresh and vibrant score by William Finn, this bee is one unforgettable experience.

Says Matthew McCoy, Bay Area Musicals! Founder and Artistic Director: "This new, contemporary musical is just what the doctor ordered during election season. Theater can be the strongest form of healing medicine when done properly. With everything going on around us in the world, who couldn't use a good laugh right now? Our version will have all of the laughs and heart it's known for. This show was a knock out last time it appeared in San Francisco and we are excited to bring it back. A riotous ride complete with audience participation, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is delightful den of comedic genius."

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee will perform November 5-December 3, 2016 at San Francisco's Alcazar Theatre (650 Geary Street.) Performances are Thursdays and Fridays at 8 p.m.; Saturdays at 2 and 8 p.m. Press night for The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee will be Friday, November 11 at 8 p.m. (RSVP information below)

Single tickets for regular performances range in price from $35-$65. Tickets for preview performances (Thursday, November 3 at 8 p.m. and Friday, November 4 at 8 p.m.) are $20. Tickets for the opening night fundraiser on Saturday, November 5 are $100 and include an opening night party with the cast immediately following the performance. All proceeds from the opening night fundraiser ticket sales will benefit future Bay Area Musical! projects and productions. Tickets are available now by calling 415-340-2207 or visiting www.bamsf.org.

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee features an ensemble cast of Bay Area actors including, Antonio Rodriguez III, Cecily Schmidt, David Glazer, Nick Rodriguez, Catrina Manahan, Alexandria Ortega, Nicole Frydman, Kirk Johnson, and Lavale Davis.

Directed and choreographed by Matthew McCoy, the creative team for The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee includes music director Jon Gallo, stage manager Annie Tillis and Sound Designer Julie Indelicato.

Bay Area Musicals! would like to acknowledge its 2016-17 company sponsors: Bay Area Reporter, Core7 Realty, Microlease, and Performing Arts Academy of Marin.

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