THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE Comes to Theatre Memphis

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, a fast-paced and witty musical, literally litters the stage with letters during its run at Theatre Memphis in the Next Stage, November 2 - 17, 2018. Mid-pubescents (played by adults) vie for the spelling championship of a lifetime and learn that winning (and losing) isn't everything. Hoping never to hear the soul-crushing, life un-affirming "ding" of the bell that signals a spelling mistake, they candidly disclose hilarious and touching stories from their home lives. A truly fresh and vibrant score makes this musical 'Bee' unforgettable.

Cecelia Wingate, director, loves Spelling Bee so much that this is her second time to direct it. "It is not only STOOPID fun," Wingate deliberately misspells in her response, "... but it is so incredibly heart-warming," she is quick to point out. Adults play children as young as 7 or 8 and the children's lives, passions, and foibles are discovered along the way. Some audience members get involved as guest spellers for some spontaneous fun, and as Wingate points out, "It's the perfect combination of hilarity and poignancy set to a wonderful musical score that points to those years of awkward adolescence."

"The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is a long way to say F-U-N," Theatre Memphis Executive Producer Debbie Litch connotes. "The music and choreography add to the charm of the show," Litch continues, "... and the show can be quite touching. We try our level best to offer our community a variety of entertainment on our stages and this show is a variety show unto itself. It will put a 'spell' on you!"