A musical production of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee will take place from Nov. 8 through Nov. 11, 2017, at 8 p.m., and Nov. 12, 2017, at 6 p.m. Performances are held on the Colgate campus in the Dana Arts Center, Brehmer Theater. All performances are free and open to the public, reservations are required. Ticket reservations can be made through the free online ticket agency eventbrite.com.
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is a musical production that tells the tale of several socially awkward young people finding joy, heartache and a purpose in competing at the regional spelling bee. It features a score by William Finn and a book by Rachel Sheinkin. Directed by Simona Giurgea, with Musical Direction by Frederick Willard, this production marks the first theatrical musical production endeavor in recent years by Colgate University’s Department of Theater.
Colgate students comprise the cast and crew who auditioned the first week of the academic year
and have been rehearsing ever since. The performance is rounded out with professional musicians
from the Central New York region. Originally directed on Broadway in 2005 by James Lapine with
the Barrington Stage Company, Second Stage Theater, The 25th Annual Putnam
County Spelling Bee was nominated for 6 Tony Awards and won 2. The original production was
noted for its interactive elements with audience members. It has had international and national tours
with the original cast, and was even part of the Tony Award broadcast television show.