ACT presents ‘The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee’ this month

Published 12:05 am Wednesday, March 6, 2019

Artistic Civic Theatre Playhouse’s latest production coming to the Mashburn Stage is “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” with performances at 8 p.m. on March 14-16, March 20 and March 22-23 plus a 2 p.m. matinee on March 17.

Conceived as an improvisational piece by Rebecca Feldman (with additional material by Jay Reiss), the witty, effortless humor in the Tony Award-winning book by Rachel Sheinkin, and the clever, vibrant music and lyrics by William Finn, make “The Bee” an unforgettable and thoroughly enjoyable experience.

Set in any-school-gym in Putnam County, America, six quirky middle school students battle it out in the ultimate spelling championship. The “tweens,” a diverse group of social misfits (all played by adult actors), are thrown together to fiercely compete for the title of best speller while the “adults” navigate the sometimes similarly awkward moments of their own lives. Through a hilarious series of situational antics, wildly varying spelling tasks, awkward personal interactions and spectacularly entertaining songs, the characters learn that far more important than winning the competition is what they both discover and reveal about themselves. The audience may even learn a little about themselves, too.

The competitors include various stereotypical archetypes: Current champ Chip Tolentino (Adam Stark); classic overachiever Marcy Park (Joelle Boykin); unfortunately named and overly pompous William Barfee (Robert Southerland); home-schooled and hyperactive Leaf Coneybear (Caleb Satterfield); desperate to impress Logainne Schwartzandgrubenierre (Ashlynn Barnett); and last but far from least, shy newcomer Olive Ostrovsky (Mary Mae Sims). Of course, since no spelling bee can run itself, a few equally individual and entertaining adults characters round out the cast. They include returning moderator and former bee winner Rona Lisa Peretti (Cassie Richardson); vice principal and returning (after a bee “incident” five years ago) judge Douglas Panch (Mac MacLawhorn); and ex-convict turned “comfort counselor” Mitch Mahoney (Mark Waters).

The show is directed by Jessica Brinkley, with musical direction by Adam Burnette, and choreography by Ashlynn Barnett. Even though the humor is all about adolescent awkwardness, this production is for mature audiences and contains some adult language

“25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” is presented through special agreement with and all authorized materials are supplied by Music Theatre International, New York, New York, and is sponsored by John Kenemer, State Farm Insurance; Oakwood Cafe and Walnut Hill Farm; and Dalton Ear, Nose & Throat.

Tickets are on sale by visiting ACTDalton.org or by clicking the “Book Now” icon on the ACT’s Facebook page. While we encourage patrons to buy tickets and pick their seats online, you can still call our box office at (706) 278-4796 for information or help with ticket purchases. Artistic Civic Theatre is at 907 Gaston St. in Dalton.