Winner of the Tony and the 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.
An eclectic group of six mid-pubescents vie for the spelling championship of a lifetime. While candidly disclosing hilarious and touching stories from their home lives, the tweens spell their way through a series of (potentially made-up) words, hoping never to hear the soul-crushing, pout-inducing, life un-affirming "ding" of the bell that signals a spelling mistake. Six spellers enter; one speller leaves a champion! At least the losers get a juice box.
2004 | Regional (US) |
Workshop Regional (US) |
2004 |
World Premiere |
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2005 | Off-Broadway |
Original Off-Broadway Production Off-Broadway |
2005 | Broadway |
Broadway Transfer Broadway |
2006 |
San Francisco Production |
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2006 | US Tour |
First National Tour US Tour |
2006 | Boston |
Boston Production Boston |
2011 | West End |
Donmar Warehouse Production West End |
2014 | Washington, DC (Regional) |
Ford's Theatre Society Production Washington, DC (Regional) |
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