The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is coming to Mokena

The Curtain Call Front Street Theatre is proud to present the hysterical musical, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee on June 17th – 19th and June 24th – 26th. Directed by Matt Carey, Mike Naughton, Savannah Reistenberg, and Kate McIlvain, this cast of 12 talented adults has been rehearsing since March to perfect their characters.

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee centers on a fictional spelling bee being held in the gymnasium of The Putnam Valley Junior High School. Six quirky spellers compete in the Bee which is run by three equally quirky administrators. These 6 spellers tell hilarious and touching stories from their home lives, as they spell their way through a series of (potentially made-up) words, hoping never to hear the soul-crushing, "ding" of the bell that signals a spelling mistake. Six spellers enter; one speller leaves! At least the losers get a juice box... 90 minutes of spelling, singing, and dance complete with audience participation, is comedic genius, especially considering all the spellers are adults playing tweens.

Winner of the Tony and the Drama Desk Awards for Best Book, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee has charmed audiences across the country with its effortless wit and humor. Featuring a fast-paced, wildly funny, and touching book by Rachel Sheinkin and a vibrant score by William Finn, this bee is one unforgettable experience for both actors and audiences.

Tickets are available for online purchase at: www.ccctheatre.com or by calling the box office at: 1-708-607-2281. The June 17th performance is SOLD OUT, tickets for the 7:30 p.m. performances on June 18, 24 & 25 are available. Limited seats are available for the Sunday Matinee performances on June 19 & 26. Curtain Call’s Front Street Theatre is located at 11112 Front Street, Mokena.

The Spellers at the Bee are; Brian Cummins as Chip Tolentino, Siobhan McNulty as Logainne Schwarzandgrubeniere, Aaron Ohlson as Leaf Coneybear, Michael Sheldon as William Barfee, Paige Mueller as Marcy Park, and Christina Duris as Olive Ostrovsky. Judges at the Bee are Cristy Nordstrom as Rona Lisa Peretti, Mike Bultman as Vice Principal Douglas Panch, and Ken Czechanski as Comfort Counselor Mitch Mahone. Jim Tess and Adam Griffiths will be Logainne’s dads and the heavenly intervention by Jesus will be played by Aidan McGuire.

Additional material by Jay Reiss. Originally Directed on Broadway by James Lapine. Originally produced on Broadway by David Stone, James L. Nederlander, Barbara Whitman, Patrick Catullo Barrington Stage Company, Second Stage Theatre. Based upon C-R-E-P-U-S-C-U-L-E, an original play by The Farm.“The Barrington Stage Company workshop of THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE was originally co-directed by Michael Barakiva and Rebecca Feldman”

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is presented through a special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.MTIShows.com