ACTORS TRAINING CENTER REPERTORY COMPANY PRESENTS THE TONY WINNING and SMASH HIT MUSICAL COMEDY THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE

Can you spell LAUGHTER? Actors Training Center Repertory Company presents the musical “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,” February 28th through March 15, 2015, all shows at 4pm. ATC’s Repertory Company brings together the most talented young musical theatre actors who have proven themselves ready to handle professional level performances typically reserved for adult actors.

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is a hilarious tale of high school-aged overachievers, their hopes, their dreams, and their angst as they compete for a slot in the National Spelling Bee. Overseen by adults still stuck in adolescence themselves, they sing their stories, utilize unique spelling techniques and learn that losing doesn’t necessarily make you a loser.

The New York Times called THE 25th ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE “I-r-r-e-s-i-s-t-i-b-l-e!” and USA TODAY exclaimed it is “A winning experience for everyone!” The Wall Street Journal raved the production “…perfect in every possible way – that rarity of rarities, a super-smart musical that is also a bona fide crowd-pleaser. An ingenious blend of simplicity and sophistication, it’s not merely funny, it’s wise.” Featuring witty and endearing music and lyrics by William Finn and a delightful book by Rachel Sheinkin, THE 25th ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE became an instant success Off-Broadway and later ran on Broadway for three years. It was nominated for six Tony Awards in 2005, including Best Musical, and won two, including the award for Best Book of a Musical.

Cast Includes: Chip Tolentino, a Boy Scout and champion of the Twenty-Fourth Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee hoping to defend his title, is played by Liam Oh and Jacob Simon (also play’s Dan’s Dad); Douglas Panch, the frustrated Vice Principal, and Carl’s Dad is played by special guest artist Brian Fimoff; Leaf ConeyBear is played by Logan Scofield and Frankie Nayman; Logainne SchwartzandGrunenierre is played by Megan Delaney and Jessica Eudy; the ultimate overachiever Marcy Park is played by Nicole Karkazis and Emily Chang; Mitch (Michelle Mahoney), the “Official Comfort Counselor,” is played by Milla Guerra; Olive Ostrovsky, the quiet child with an absent father, is played by Margo Flynn and Elita Ernsteen; Rona Lisa Peretti, the long-time spelling bee hostess and former champion, is played by Elizabeth Baker; William Barfee, who with his “magic spelling foot,” hopes to vindicate himself after his early elimination the previous year is played by Caleb Fietsam.

Claire Bigley is musical director and Jeff Award winner Janet Louer, Musical Theatre director of ATC’s Repertory Company, directs the production.

All performances are at 4pm: Sat 2/28 and Sun 3/1; Sat 3/7 and Sun 3/8; and Sat 3/14 and Sun 3/15. Tickets are $18; $12 group rate for 10 or more and can be purchased on-line, at www.wilmettetheatre.com, by phone, at (847) 251-7424 or at the theatre box office located at 1122 Central Avenue, Wilmette, IL 60091.

About Actors Training Center (ATC):

ATC provides professional-level, process-driven classes for children from kindergarten through 12th grade and adults. Courses in acting, improv, physical theatre, on-camera and musical theatre are offered at the school. Need-based scholarships are also available. For more information about ATC and to purchase tickets, please visit: www.wilmettetheater.com