Town Hall Theater Presents THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE

Can you spell A-W-E-S-O-M-E?

A surprise hit musical on and off Broadway, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee follows six overachievers on the verge of puberty competing for the spelling championship to beat all spelling championships. An odd idea for a musical, perhaps, but that's precisely what gives this show a fresh, surprising tone - and a great deal of laugh-out-loud humor.

The young misfits selected for the spelling bee experience the often hilarious trials of life, love, and (of course) spelling. Aided by three adults who often seem to need some guidance themselves, these lovable if eccentric kids will have the audience laughing from the opening notes to the final curtain.

Though not a children's musical, it can be enjoyed by children 11 and up.

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee has a winning score by William Finn, who wrote the landmark musical Falsettos. This production is the work of the Middlebury College Musical Players, a student-run organization that produces both on campus and at Middlebury's Town Hall Theater. Recent productions include You're a Good Man Charlie Brown, Songs for a New World, and West Side Story.

Performances are November 4-6 at 8:00 PM and November 6 at 2:00 PM at the Town Hall Theater. Tickets, $10/$8/$6 are available through the Middlebury College Box Office at www.middlebury.edu/arts/tickets or call 802 443-6433.