Shifting Ground Collective

TICKETS

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee

“Where should we begin? The best spellers don’t necessarily win.”

Six adolescents, hundreds of letters, and one district champion – welcome to the most important night of the year.

 

At the 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, a group of passionate middle schoolers compete for the chance to prove to the world (and themselves) that the things that make them different are the things that make them winners – and maybe learn a little more about themselves along the way.

 

A deeply heartfelt and deliciously whimsical comedy, Spelling Bee explores the awkwardness of adolescence, the pressures of perfectionism, and the joy of finding community in the things that make us different.

 

Featuring a wacky improvised Spelling Bee that includes real audience participants, and tied together by a score from the legendary William Finn (Falsettos, A New Brain), Spelling Bee will take you right back to your sixth grade classroom and remind you that there’s more to life than winning the trophy.

From L-R: Misha Sharivker, Zoe Deanna Virola, Berkley Silverman, Olivia Daniels, Lauren Taylor Scott, Jameson Mosher, Ben Ridd. Photo by Taylor Long.
From L-R: Misha Sharivker, Zoe Deanna Virola, Berkley Silverman, Olivia Daniels, Lauren Taylor Scott, Jameson Mosher, Ben Ridd. Photo by Taylor Long.
The company of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. Photo by Taylor Long.
The company of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. Photo by Taylor Long.
The company of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. Photo by Taylor Long.
The company of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. Photo by Taylor Long.
Ben Ridd. Photo by Taylor Long.
Ben Ridd. Photo by Taylor Long.
From L-R: Olivia Daniels, Nam Ngyuen. Photo by Taylor Long.
From L-R: Olivia Daniels, Nam Ngyuen. Photo by Taylor Long.
From L-R: Diana Del Rosario, Krystal Abrigo. Photo by Taylor Long.
From L-R: Diana Del Rosario, Krystal Abrigo. Photo by Taylor Long.
Lauren Taylor Scott and the company of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. Photo by Taylor Long.
Lauren Taylor Scott and the company of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. Photo by Taylor Long.
From L-R: Nam Ngyuen, Lauren Taylor Scott, Berkley Silverman, Zoe Deanna Virola. Photo by Taylor Long.
From L-R: Nam Ngyuen, Lauren Taylor Scott, Berkley Silverman, Zoe Deanna Virola. Photo by Taylor Long.
From L-R: Olivia Daniels, Diana Del Rosario, Lauren Taylor Scott, Ben Ridd, Zoe Deanna Virola, Misha Sharivker. Photo by Taylor Long.
From L-R: Olivia Daniels, Diana Del Rosario, Lauren Taylor Scott, Ben Ridd, Zoe Deanna Virola, Misha Sharivker. Photo by Taylor Long.
From L-R: Berkley Silverman, Jameson Mosher. Photo by Taylor Long.
From L-R: Berkley Silverman, Jameson Mosher. Photo by Taylor Long.
Jameson Mosher and the company of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. Photo by Taylor Long.
Jameson Mosher and the company of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. Photo by Taylor Long.

Cast

OLIVIA DANIELS as Rona Lisa Peretti

NAM NGUYEN as Douglas Panch

DIANA DEL ROSARIO as Mitch Mahoney

BERKLEY SILVERMAN as Olive Ostrovsky

JAMESON MOSHER as William Barfée

LAUREN TAYLOR SCOTT as Logainne SchwartzandGrubenniere

ZOE VIROLA as Marcy Park

BEN RIDD as Leaf Coneybear

MISHA SHARIVKER as Chip Tolentino

JOEY HARVEY and MARIE RAFTERY as our Swings

Production Team

Directed by JENNIFER WALLS

Choreographed by NICHOLAS ROCQUE

Music Directed by MICHAEL IPPOLITO

Asst. Music Directed by MADIE LAWRENCE

Stage Managed by LIAM COX

with Rehearsal Stage Manager LAUREN ALLEN

and Asst. Stage Manager REBECCA MCDONALD

Production Designed by JASON DAUVIN

Lighting Designed by NIALL DURCAN

Sound Designed by AL STARKEY

Production Managed by HAILEY TAN

Band

Conducted by MIKE “MR. I” IPPOLITO on Keyboard

JO O’LEARY PONZO on Synth

EMILY MORSE on Reeds

DANTE ALAIMO on Cello

AMIEL ANG on Percussion