Producer Thommie Retter (Billy Elliot The Musical) and Director/Choreographer Ann Cooley (Victor/Victoria (Nat.Tour), The Producers (Nat. Tour), The Will Rogers Follies, ) bring together a team of 21 teen actors for a production of "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee," with additional contributions from writer Anthony Giunta's ("Contest", the movie). BroadwayWorld caught the company's opening night bows, check out the photos below!
Featured performers include 16-year-old actor Marquise Neal ("Kinky Boots" Original Cast Member), 15-year-old actor Christian Dell'Edera ("A Christmas Story" National Tour) and 15-year-old actress Mabel L'Ecuyer ("Billy Elliot" National Tour). The actors are split in three casts of nine.
Actress/Talent Manager Jody Prusan and Jeremy Dalton will engage audience members with their own spelling bee as the audience arrive at the theatre.
A long-time coach to young talents, Retter aims to keep teenagers active in onstage productions; while in the teen years the number of roles on Broadway fall dramatically, "During this hiatus, Retter Entertainment takes pride in providing educational theater opportunities that keep the kids in practice in front of live audiences, raising their level of talent, preparing them for college entrance exams and, ultimately, a professional career on The Great White Way!" says Thommie Retter.
Joining Retter and Cooley, the creative team includes assistant director Chandler Converse, the music director Joe Baker (Broadway Youth Ensemble), the assistant music director James Harvey, the stage manager Elena Chapman, and the lightning designer Bill Stonehouse.
The show is suitable for children 8 and older. Performances of Retter Entertainment's "The 25th Annual Putman County Spelling Bee" will take place from November 9-12 at the 777 Theatre (777 Eight Avenue between 47th and 48th Streets) with the following schedule: Thursday at 7 pm; Friday at 7 pm; Saturday at 1 pm and 5 pm; Sunday at 1pm and 5 pm. Tickets are priced $ 45.50 and can be purchased at web.ovationtix.com/trs/pr/981676 or through www.RetterEntertainment.com.
Photo Credit: Genevieve Rafter Keddy
Ali LeCroy, Bella Retter, Clara Smith, Joey Casali, Michelle Moughan, Christian Dell'Edera and Marquise Neal
Ali LeCroy, Michelle Moughan, Joey Casali, Christian Dell'Edera, Marquise Neal, Bella Retter and Clara Smith
Joey Casali Ali LeCroy Michelle Moughan, Christian Dell'Edera, Bella Retter, Marquise Neal, Clara Smith and Victoria Csatay
Joey Casali, Christian Dell'Edera, Marquise Neal and Victoria Csatay
Ali LeCroy, Bella Retter, Michelle Moughan, Clara Smith, Christian Dell'Edera. Joey Casali, Victoria Csatay, Anthony Allocca and Marquise Neal
Victoria Csatay, Ali LeCroy and Joey Casali
Joey Casali, Christian Dell'Edera and Michelle Moughan
Marquise Neal, Clara Smith and Anthony Allocca
Christian Dell'Edera, Michelle Moughan and Bella Retter
Ali LeCroy Marquise Neal, Joey Casali, Victoria Csatay, Michelle Moughan, Christian Dell'Edera, Anthony Allocca, Bella Retter and Clara Smith
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