CLARKSVILLE, TN – Clarksville’s oldest professional theatre is kicking off its 44th season of live performances with musical packed with improv, audience participation and nonstop laughs. “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” opens at the Roxy Regional Theatre’s temporary home at 114 Public Square on Friday, Aug.21, at 7 pm.
In this hit musical comedy, six awkward spelling champions learn that winning (and losing) isn’t everything as they vie for the spelling championship of a lifetime. While candidly disclosing hilarious and touching stories from their home lives, the tweens spell their way through a series of (potentially made-up) words, hoping never to hear the soul-crushing, pout-inducing, life un-affirming “ding” of the bell that signals a spelling mistake.
Directed by Emily Ruck with choreography by Eboné Amos and music direction by Amy Frederick, “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” features Eugene Boyd as Chip Tolentino, Ashley Birnbaum as Logainne Schwartzandgrubenniere, Jeremiah Burch as Leaf Coneybear, Riley Bayer as William Barfee, Mai Abe as Marcy Park, and Brooklynn Morales as Olive Ostrovsky, along with Holli Trisler as Rona Lisa Perretti, Darren V. Michael as Vice Principal Douglas Panch, and Noah Christopher as Mitch Mahoney.
Produced in part by Drs. Ellen & David Kanervo and featuring music and lyrics by William Finn, “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” is written by Rachel Sheinkin and conceived by Rebecca Feldman, with additional material by Jay Reiss.
Performances run August 21 through August 30 on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 7pm, with 2pm matinees on Saturdays and Sundays. In keeping with the theatre’s opening night tradition, all tickets not pre-sold at the regular price will go on sale at 6:30pm on Friday, August 21, for a $5 Opening Night Rush. Please note: This production contains PG-13 humor and is recommended for mature audiences.
Tickets are $35 (adults) and $15 (ages 10 and under) and may be reserved online at roxyregionaltheatre.org, by phone at (931) 645-7699, or at the theatre during regular box office hours (9:00am to 2:00pm, Monday through Friday, and one hour prior to performances). Performances will be held at the Roxy Regional Theatre’s temporary home at 114 Public Square. Seating for this production will begin 30 minutes prior to the performance. Late arrivals will not be admitted, due to the configuration of the venue.