Hillbarn Theatre to Open 2016 with 'SPELLING BEE'

Hillbarn Theatre, the Peninsula's premier theatre company, kicks off 2016 with the Tony Award-winning musical comedy, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. This quirky musical sensation follows an eclectic group of six young people on their hilarious journey to realize their dream to become a spelling bee champion. Fraught with the woes of puberty, these youngsters struggle to become the best, but ultimately learn that winning is not everything and that losing does not necessarily make them a loser.

Winner of the Tony Award for Best Book of a Musical and nominated for many others, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee will run January 21 - February 7, 2016 at Hillbarn Theatre (1285 East Hillsdale Blvd., Foster City). Performances are Thursdays-Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. Press night for The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee will be Friday, January 22, 2016. Single tickets range in price from $25 - $48 and are available now by calling 650.349.6411 ext. 2 or visiting www.hillbarntheatre.org.

"What better way to celebrate our 75th Anniversary Season: Dare to Dream, than with the comedic story of kids trying to realize their dreams of becoming the next big speller!" says Executive Artistic Director Dan Demers. " I love the message the story gives. It's not all about winning but finding who you are."

Led by Jeffrey Brian Adams* as Chip Tolentino and Justin Buchs* as Leaf Coneybear, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee features an ensemble cast of actors including Lawrence-Michael Arias, Tracy Chiappone, Melissa Costa, Courtney Hatcher, Catrina Manahan, Joey McDaniel, and Steve Repetti.

Directed by Linda Piccone, the creative team for The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee includes music director Rick Reynolds, choreographer Riette Burdick, stage manager Amanda Roccuzzo, scenic director Yusuke Soi, lighting designer Ellen Brooks, master electrician Aya Matsutomo, costume designer Valerie Emmi, sound designer Alan Chang, properties designer Rosie Issel, make-up designer Dee Morrissey and master builder Steve Nyberg.

Hillbarn Theatre's production of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is made possible by The Chiappone Family. Hillbarn Theatre would like to acknowledge its 2015-16 company sponsors: Foster City Islander, Peninsula Beauty, The David and Lucile Packard Foundation, Rotary Foundation and Penelope's Coffee & Tea.

* Member of Actors Equity Association