Bravo Productions - Theatre for Young Artists presents “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” with area professionals

After 20 years of producing theater with children, Bravo Productions will present its first production with an adult cast, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, on April 7th and 8th at Alexandria Country Day School. “I am thrilled to expand our repertoire to include a show with adult performers” said Bravo Productions’ Executive Producer Laurie Levy Issembert. “We’ve assembled an incredibly talented cast of veteran actors to bring to life these quirky and lovable characters and in a perfect middle school venue.”

The stakes are high at Putnam County Middle School as a group of mid-pubescent spellers compete for the Spelling Bee Championship of a lifetime. While spelling their way through a series of ridiculous words, the tweens candidly disclose hilarious and touching stories from their home lives and hope never to hear the soul-crushing, pout-inducing "ding" of the bell that signals a mistake and their immediate elimination from the competition.

Olive Ostrovsky, a newcomer to the Bee circuit, played by Valerie Issembert (New York Metropolitan Opera Company supernumerary), is an only child who spends much of her time alone reading the dictionary. Logainne SchwartzandGrubienniere, played by Alexandria Clapp (Cabaret at KAT), is driven by internal and external pressure to please her dads and win. Matt Trollinger (Cabaret at KAT) is Leaf Coneybear, a home-schooled odd ball who finds himself unexpectedly at the Bee after coming in second third in his home county’s competition. The ultimate over-achiever, Marcy Park, played by Sarah Mielbye (Sweeney Todd at Triboro Musical Theatre), has never been given any option other than total success. Jake Robertson (Congressional Chorus) plays William Barfee who is infamous on the spelling bee circuit for his remarkable technique - physically spelling words out with his foot. Last year’s champion, Chip Tolentino, played by Alexander Scott (A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Winston Churchill High School), finds puberty hitting him at an inopportune moment. Four guest spellers, picked at random from the audience, will also compete in the Bee onstage. The spellers are guided in their quest to win by former champion Rona Lisa Peretti, played by Jessica Bay Graber (A Kid’s Life Off-Broadway), Vice-Principal Douglas Panch, Steve Cairns (Shrek at Rockville Musical Theatre), and Mitch Mahoney, played by Matthew Sahlin, a Comfort Counselor who gives the eliminated spellers a hug and a juice box on their way out.

“This show and this venue presented the perfect opportunity for Bravo Productions to bridge the gap between theatre with young actors and theatre with adults because Spelling Bee is a show about children, played by adults, and written for all to enjoy,” said Director, Valerie Issembert, who also serves as the Artistic Director at Bravo Productions. “After a decade performing mainly with adults in New York, and a subsequent three years teaching mainly children in Washington, DC., I wanted to integrate the two worlds. This experience has provided that opportunity. I get to work with my friends, colleagues, family, and students. What more could I ask for?"

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee will be performed in Alexandria Country Day School’s Performing Arts Center, 2400 Russell Road, Alexandria, VA 22301 on April 7th at 8pm and April 8th at 2pm and 8pm. Tickets are available online at https://www.showtix4u.com for $28 until April 6th (search for Bravo Productions) or for $30 (cash or check only) at the door.