Can you spell A-W-E-S-O-M-E? A Tony-award winning musical comedy, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, features a quirky group of six middle school students who are competing for a spelling bee championship. Along the way, these youngsters will share (and sometimes sing) a variety of hilarious and also touching stories from their home lives as they spell their way through a series of words. All of this is in the perpetual hope of never hearing the soul-crushing “ding” of the bell that signals a spelling mistake. Six spellers enter; one speller leaves a champion!
Who are the competitors? Olive, a sweet and shy girl, brings only her best friend (the dictionary) with her to the bee. Then there is William Barfee who is bold, but a hyperallergic speller. He uses his “magic foot” to propel him to greatness. There is also former Bee Champion, Chip, who is currently struggling with his puberty. We also meet the easily distracted Leaf. He is unconvinced that he’s smart enough to be a challenger. The overachiever of the group is Marcy. She is disappointed by her consistent success. Lastly, there is the politically aware Logainne Schwartzandgrubenierre, who only wants to impress her gay dads. Through hilarious, touching, and catchy songs, each speller reveals his/her hopes, struggles, and passions as they make their way through the competition. The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee features an engaging, and tuneful score by William Finn. The story is based on the book of the same name by Rachel Sheinkin. Stage Agent describes the play as “one that causes the audiences to fall in love, both with the show itself and its “perspicacious,” “jocular,” and “effervescent” spellers.”
Be sure to put this on your calendar and support our local theater!
The CrazyLake Acting Company is thrilled to present this unique production to the Greenfield area. Performance dates are July 12, 13, 14, 19, 20 and 21. Friday and Saturday shows are at 7 p.m. Sunday matinees are at 2 p.m. All shows will be held at the H. J. Ricks Centre for the Arts, located at 122 W. Main St., Greenfield, IN. Tickets are available for $10 at Hometown Comics, online at crazylakeacting.com or $15 at the door before the show.
CrazyLake Acting Company
CrazyLake Acting Company was started by Christine Schaefer, the founder of Kids Play – a children’s theater group that has been around since 1997. CrazyLake, the adult theater group, was conceived one milk-shake sodden night at the Greenfield Steak n’ Shake in 2007. CrazyLake was formed from the core of talented parents of Kids Play actors. So the adult theater group was the offspring of the children’s group. Since then, CrazyLake has brought many great performances to the Rick’s Theatre’s stage, including “Once Upon a Mattress,” “Clue,” and “Mama Mia.” For more information about how to get involved or to get more info about future productions go to: crazylakeacting.com
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