White Theatre Presents Funny Tony-Award Winning Musical THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTRY SPELLING BEE
By: Julie Musbach Jan. 15, 2018
Remember adolescence?
Now imagine navigating all those challenges while in the grips of a fiercely competitive spelling bee.
Six awkward yet adorable adolescents take audiences through a hilarious competition in the Tony Award winning musical THE 25th ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE, in performance beginning at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday evening, Feb. 3 at The Lewis & Shirley White Theatre at the Jewish Community Center in Overland Park. Additional 7:30 p.m. performances are scheduled for Feb. 8, 10, 15 and 17; three 2 p.m. matiness shows will be presented on Feb. 4, 11 and 18. This coming of age musical, filled with adult humor, is guaranteed to make for a fun afternoon or evening. (Note: This production is rated PG-13 and parental discretion is advised for children under 13.)
The winner of multiple awards, including not one, but two Tony Awards, this musical focuses on a quirky group of overachieving competitors, each dealing with unique teenage challenges, all the while trying to avoid the dreaded "ding" indicating they have misspelled a word. Three adult "judges," who have barely escaped from puberty themselves, adjudicate the fictitious proceedings. The judges include a nostalgic former winner, a silly vice principal and an official "Comfort Counselor," who in actuality is a former ex-con completing his community service. Music and lyrics are by Tony Award®-winning composer William Finn, whose credits include the Broadway smash "Falsettos," as well as the Broadway musical adaptation of the quirky and endearing Oscar-winning film "Little Miss Sunshine". In a unique twist, members of the audience are invited to sign up to join the cast on stage and tackle spelling challenges that guarantee humorous results!
An all-local cast has been assembled by Steven Eubank, a veteran director at The White Theatre, to bring THE 25th ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE to life at The J. Eubank is joined by Music Director, Pam Williamson, another White Theatre veteran.
"This delightful musical captures the comedic side of stress and self-doubt as these pre-pubescent characters launch into the pressure and excitement of competing in the Spelling Bee," Eubank said. "The show is charming and funny, at times hilarious, with many sweet and poignant moments while these precocious 'kids' struggle to maintain composure and navigate the demands of the Bee, budding friendships and their lives."
Tickets for THE 25th ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE are $25 for the general public, $18 for J members and $14 for students. Group discounts and season tickets are also available. For tickets and reservations, please contact the White Theatre box office at The J at (913) 327-8054, email boxoffice@thejkc.org, purchase your tickets online at www.TheWhiteTheatre.org, or visit the box office in person from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. weekdays and one and a half hours prior to performance.
The White Theatre is located in the Jewish Community Campus, 5801 W. 115th St., in Overland Park, Kansas.
Putnam Spelling Bee Cast
(Role, performer, City of residence)
Rona Lisa Peretti: Korrie Murphy; Blue Springs, MO
Dougals Panch: Jayson Chandley;
William Barfee: Colin Rohach; Leawood
Chip Tolentino: Sam Hesman; Lee's Summit, MO
Logainne Schwartzandgrubenierre: Erin Huffman; Lee's Summit, MO
Leaf Coneybear: Jaden Tatge; Overland Park
Marcy Park: Julia Masterson; Overland Park
Olive Ostrovsky: Madelyn Padget; Blue Springs, MO
Mitch Mahoney: Raheem Fielder-Bey; Kansas City, MO
About the Lewis & Shirley White Theatre
The non-profit Lewis & Shirley White Theatre, built in 2005, is a 500-seat, state-of-the-art facility, featuring the latest amenities in terms of seating, sound and lighting technology, and regularly hosts a mix of top talent from the region and around the world. Called "the best kept secret" in Kansas City's theatre scene, The White Theatre's mission is to provide enriching, thought-provoking entertainment that builds on Jewish cultural values, enhancing wellness, meaning and joy for people of all cultural backgrounds.
About "The J"
Established more than 100 years ago, the Jewish Community Center of Greater Kansas City-The J, provides a warm welcome to families of all backgrounds. The J's all-in-one hub for health, learning and well-being elevates the lives of the community and its members with programs of excellence in fitness, sports, theatre, arts + culture, senior adult programming and youth services including summer camps and child development. Everyone can "live up" at The J, located in Overland Park, Kansas, and at thejkc.org.
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