The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee

“It’s spelled W-O-N-D-E-R-F-U-L.” —The Wall Street Journal

By Kelly Skinner
New Brunswick, NJ (April 10, 2009)—The Tony® Award-winning Musical The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee make it’s State Theatre premiere on Friday, May 1 at 8pm and Saturday, May 2 at 2pm and 8pm. Spelling Bee is sponsored by The Heldrich. Tickets range from $40-75 and $15 student tickets are available (group discounts are also available).
Spelling Bee stars Christian Busath as William Barfee; Ryan Goodale as Leaf Coneybear; Joanna Krupnick as Logainne Schwartzandgrubenierre; Anthony Lopez as Douglas Panch; Kavin Panmeechao as Chip Tolentino; Brittany Ross as Olive Ostrovsky; Yvonne Same as Marcy Park; Don Juan Seward, II as Mitch Mahoney; and Nikki Switzer as Rona Lisa Peretti.
In The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, six young people in the throes of puberty, overseen by grown-ups who barely managed to escape childhood themselves, learn that winning isn’t everything and that losing doesn’t necessarily make you a loser. This tuneful, offbeat and at times heartwarming show offers audience members the opportunity (strictly voluntary) to become part of the action as on-stage spellers. “Can you spell i-r-r-e-s-i-s-t-i-b-l-e? Spelling Bee is riotously funny and remarkably ingenious. Gold stars all around,” says the New York Times. In the Wall Street Journal, Spelling Beewas called,“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.” 
Spelling Bee is directed by James Lapine, the Tony® Award and Pulitzer Prize-winner (Sunday in the Park with George, Into the Woods) who also directed the Broadway production. The musical, conceived by Rebecca Feldman, with additional material written by Jay Reiss, features music and lyrics by Tony Award-winner William Finn (Falsettos, Elegies, A New Brain) and a Tony Award-winning book by Rachel Sheinkin. Spelling Bee features scenic design by Beowulf Boritt, costume design by Jennifer Caprio, lighting design by Charlie Morrison, sound design by Craig Cassidy and choreography by Dan Knechtges.
 
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Beeis based on C-r-e-p-u-s-c-u-l-e, an original play by The Farm improv group in New York City. Spelling Bee had its world premiere production in July 2004 at Barrington Stage Company, Sheffield, MA. Under the direction of James Lapine, Spelling Bee officially opened Off-Broadway on February 7, 2005 at Second Stage Theatre, where it ran from January 11 through March 20, 2005. The show then moved to Broadway’s Circle in the Square Theatre, with previews beginning on April 15, 2005 and an official opening on May 2, 2005. The Broadway production closed January 20, 2008. Spelling Bee is produced by Phoenix Entertainment.
 
For tickets (or a brochure), call the State Theatre ticket office at 732-246-SHOW (7469), or visit us online at www.StateTheatreNJ.org. The State Theatre ticket office, located at 15 Livingston Ave, New Brunswick NJ, is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday 10am to 6pm; Wednesday 11am to 7pm and at least one hour prior to curtain on performance dates. For information on group outings and discounts, call 732-247-7200, ext. 536.
The State Theatre, a premier nonprofit venue for the performing arts and entertainment. The theater exists to enrich people’s lives, contribute to a vital urban environment, and build future audiences by presenting the finest performing artists and entertainers and fostering lifetime appreciation for the performing arts through education. The State Theatre’s programs are made possible, in part, by funding from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts, and contributions from numerous corporations, foundations, and individuals. Continental Airlines is the official airline of the State Theatre. The Heldrich is the official hotel of the State Theatre. The Star-Ledger is the official newspaper of the State Theatre. William Grant & Sons, our season spirits’ sponsor.
 
 
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
Fri, May 1 at 8pm
 Sat, May 2 at 2pm & 8pm
 $75, $65, $55, $40
Sponsored by The Heldrich
 
STATE THEATRE
15 Livingston Ave
New Brunswick, NJ 08901
Ticket Office – 732-246-SHOW (7469)
Online – www.StateTheatreNJ.org
PHOTOS AND INTERVIEWS FURNISHED UPON REQUEST
Please contact Kelly Skinner at
732-247-7200, ext. 542 or by email at [email protected].
Information in this release is current as of April 10, 2009.
For up-to-the-minute information on events and State Theatre news,
visit the State Theatre online at www.StateTheatreNJ.org.
Contact: 
Kelly Skinner, director of public relations
732-247-7200, ext. 542
[email protected]
Renu Verma, marketing & pr coordinator
732-247-7200, ext. 517
[email protected]