Theatre Gearing Up For Spelling Bee Musical

Collingswood Community Theatre is preparing for a 3-night performance, sponsoring Pilot Light Theatre's Tony Award winning musical, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.

Borough actors will play six young students, battling the awkwardness of puberty while going head-to-head in a spelling bee held at Putnam Valley Middle School. 

To balance the six memorable young characters, the musical also stars three adults with equally-quirky personalities, who run the bee. 

Featuring a cast of borough talent—including C.J. Kish, Kimberly Townsend, Rachel Witte, Michael Francis Rauch, Jerry Tower, and Kira Broecker—the production chronicles a humorous tale of angst-ridden overachievers.

All possessing in-it-to-win-it attitudes, students in the spelling bee encounter the one and only place where they're no longer outsiders, but stars. 

Collingswood Community Theatre (CCT) has adopted an interesting twist on the musical; one which enlists the help of audience members. 

"Before every show, four audience members are recruited to participate onstage as guest spellers," said CCT Production Spokeswoman Marcy Smith. "Each new foursome (to participate in a performance of the 3-night show) guarantees a new set of funny and unexpected experiences."

With lively musical numbers and unforgettable characters, CCT members promise the show will feature Collingswood actors in their greatest performance yet.

Show Dates: Wednesday, August 24; Thursday, August 25; and Friday, August 26

Time: Curtains rise at 7:30 p.m. on all three days

Location: All three shows will be held in the Grand Ballroom of the , located at 315 White Horse Pike in Collingswood

Ticketing: Pricing is $15 for adults; and $10 for students and senior citizens. All tickets hold general admission seating, and may be obtained at the Scottish Rite Auditorium

Additional Information: For parties of 10 or more people, discounted rates and reserved seating options are available. For more information, contact Mary Baldwin at baldym2@aol.com, or at 609-617-2220.