St. Bart's Players to Present THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee has dazzled many audiences with its clever wit and humor. Winner of the Tony and Drama Desk Award for Best Book by Rachel Sheinkin, and featuring a fun and vibrant score by William Finn, this bee is an experience you won't forget. The show will be performed at the Off-Off Broadway House- Hudson Guild Theatre (441 West 26th Street, New York, NY), May 5-15th.

St. Bart's Playhouse opened its doors for the first time in October 1927, and New York City's longest continuously-running, non-profit community theater company, The St. Bart's Players, was born. The group has survived the Great Depression, World War II and the turbulent Sixties, remaining a sanctuary for those seeking affordable theater. Its continued existence attests to its unequaled endurance in the toughest theatrical city in the world.

Former Artistic Directors of The St. Bart's Players include Tom Jones, the librettist and lyricist of The Fantasticks. Many composers, lyricists and playwrights have attended St. Bart's revivals of their works, including: Betty Comden and Adolph Green (On the Town); Yip Harburg (Finian's Rainbow); Charles Strouse (Applause); Sheldon Harnick (Fiorello!, New Faces of 1952 and She Loves Me); Mary Rodgers (Once Upon a Mattress); and Clark Gesner (You're a Good Man Charlie Brown). Steven Press, who played Peter van Daan in the first Broadway adaptation of The Diary of Anne Frank, was the director of The Players' 2004 production of The Diary of Anne Frank.

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is directed and choreographed by Alex Perez (CCCT, DeLaGuarda), with W. Brent Sawyer as the music director. Additional Cast and Crew:

Produced by Joe Gambino and Danny Conover

Stage Managed by Jacob Miller, Set Design by Carl Tallent

Lighting Design by Tim Hart, Sound Design by Julian Evans

Featuring:

Rona: Melissa Broder

Panch: Bobby Allan

Mitch: Michael D. DeShields

Olive: Taylor Vickers

Schwartzy:Shannon Rowland

Marcy: Gayle Artino

Barfee: Ty Pearsons

Leaf: Chris Giordano

Chip: Alex Mogil

Patience: Marisa Ranalli

The show runs 11 performances from May 5th -15th; Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Wednesday at 8 pm, with additional matinee performances on Saturdays and Sundays at 2 pm. Tickets prices are $30; $27 for 65+/18 and under. Order by phone 212-378- 0248, in person -- St.Bartholomew's Church lobby, Park Avenue at 50th Street, or online: stbarts.isecuresites.com/group/The-25th-Annual-Putnam-County-Spelling-Bee.