25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee Comes to Ocean City

“The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” will run for two performances at the Hughes Performing Arts Center at Ocean City High School on Aug. 7 and 8.

The show features the talents of over 20 members of the Ocean City Theatre Company’s Junior Company. They went through an audition and rehearsal experience that mimics the Ocean City Theatre Company’s professional process.

“The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” is based on a book by Rachel Sheinkin.

It is a hip musical comedy which follows six young people in the awkward years of puberty. The young people are overseen by grown-ups who barely managed to escape childhood themselves. They learn that winning isn’t everything and that losing doesn’t necessarily make you a loser.

At each performance, audience volunteers are selected and invited on stage to participate in the Bee, making each performance unique.

The Barrington Stage Company in western Massachusetts workshopped and developed the show, and presented it that summer.

It opened Off-Broadway at Second Stage Theatre where it was an instant hit, prompting it to move to Broadway’s Circle-in-the-Square Theater.

Nominated for six Tony Awards including Best Musical - it took home two 2005 Tony Awards for Best Book of a Musical and Best Featured Actor in a Musical.

It has music and lyrics by William Finn, was conceived by Rebecca Feldman, and has original direction by James Lapine.

The Ocean City Theatre Company’s production is directed/choreographed by Billy D. Hart and includes music direction from Andrew Hink.

The show on Friday, Aug. 7, takes place at 7:30 p.m. The show on Saturday, Aug. 8, takes place at 2 p.m.

Tickets are between $13 and $15. Tickets are available at www.ocnj.us/boxoffice, or by calling 609-525-9248.

This show does include some mature language and subject matter.

The attached image was provided by the Ocean City Theatre Company