Dare to Defy Productions to Stage THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE

Dare to Defy Productions is bringing the H-I-L-A-R-I-O-U-S Broadway musical "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" to Dayton.

This Tony Award-winning musical is the jubilant and touching story of a group of prepubescent overachievers who are pitted against one another in the spelling challenge of a lifetime.

"Spelling Bee" was conceived by Rebecca Feldman with music and lyrics by William Finn and the book by Rachel Sheinkin. The musical centers on a fictional spelling bee set in a geographically ambiguous Putnam Valley Middle School. Six quirky adolescents compete in the Bee, run by three equally-quirky grown-ups. Part of the unique aspect of "Spelling Bee" is that four audience volunteers are chosen nightly through a pre-show interview process to be participants of the spelling bee, making each performance unique. Amid infectious songs and whip-smart lyrics, these nerdy and wordy kids learn that winning isn't everything and that losing doesn't necessarily make you a loser. The Wall Street Journal said, "Spelling Bee is a super-smart show that is also a bona fide crowd pleaser." Nominated for six Tony Awards, including Best Musical, it won two Tonys, including Best Book of a Musical. The Philadelphia Inquirer said "The word for 'Spelling Bee' is w-o-n-d-e-r-f-u-l!"

"Spelling Bee" is directed by Matthew Smith, with musical direction by Charles Larkowski, choreography by Jessica Eggleston, stage managed by Christine Stapleton, lighting design by Derryck Enard and costumes by Olivia Dakin. The cast includes a top notch line-up of local talent that includes Brad Bishop (Vice Principal Panch), Jamal Cann (Mitch Mahoney), Laura Falb (Olive Ostovsky), Brent Hoggatt (Chip Tolentino), Tori Kocher (Logainne Schwartzandgrubenierre), Abby Land (Marcy Park), Brett Norgaard (Leaf Coneybear), Brennan Paulin (William Barfee), and Sherri Sutter (Rona Lisa Perretti).

Watch a trailer for the show below!

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"Spelling Bee" will be doing a tour of Dayton venues - Jan 6th -Jan 14th. Tickets range from $15-$30.

On January 6th at 8 PM and January 7th at 2 PM and 8 PM the shows will be in the Mathile (black box theatre in the Schuster Center). Tickets are available at the Ticket Center Stage Box Office located in the Schuster Center, by calling (937) 228-3630 or online at ticketcenterstage.com. Senior, military and student discounts available at the box office.

On January 13th and 14th at 8 PM the shows will be in the beautiful Renaissance Theatre, located at the Dayton Art Institute. Tickets are available at the Box office at the Dayton Art Institute, by calling 937-223-4ART (4278) or online at www.etix.com/ticket/e/1004459/putnam-spelling-bee-dayton-the-dayton-art-institute-special-events.

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is Recommended for ages 13+. Visit www.d2defy.com for more information or call (937) 999-9949.

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