‘Putnam County Spelling Bee’ opens at Sussex Academy Feb. 3
Sussex Academy will present the musical comedy, “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,” Friday to Sunday, Feb. 3 to 5, at 21150 Airport Road, Georgetown. Performances will be at 7 p.m., Friday and Saturday, and 2 p.m., Saturday and Sunday.
The high school production is double cast with two sets of actors who will alternate performances.
The musical tells the story of an eclectic group of six mid-pubescents who are vying for the spelling championship of a lifetime. While candidly disclosing hilarious and touching stories from their home lives, the tweens spell their way through a series of (potentially made-up) words, hoping never to hear the soul-crushing, pout-inducing, life-unaffirming ding of the bell that signals a spelling mistake.
Six spellers enter; one speller leaves a champion. At least the losers get a juice box. The show includes many fun musical numbers and some audience participation.
Although the show is wildly entertaining and comical, it may not be suitable for people of younger ages. Parental discretion is advised due to some profane language and explicit sexual references within the show.
The cast comprises senior Jackson Whitcomb and junior Aidan French as William Barfeé; senior Nicte Mendoza and sophomore Alex DeEmedio as Olive Ostrovsky; senior Haley Cummins and sophomore Brianna Whitman as Logaine Schwartzandgrubenierre; senior Ruby Phillips and freshman Abby Whitcomb as Marcy Park; senior Hippolyte Claveau and freshman Chase Reynolds as Leaf Coneybear; junior Nick Donati and freshman Carter Huffman as Chip Tolentino; sophomores Melvin Harmon and Zachary Burger as Vice Principal Douglas Panch; juniors Bailey Brounce and Finn Sheridan as Rona Lisa Peretti; and junior Erin Morgan and sophomore Elaina Marsh as Mitch Mahoney.
Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students, and may be purchased at the door or online at showtix4u.com. There will be an intermission during which snacks and concessions will be sold.
For more, go to sussexacademy.org.
