“The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” is the first production in the 2016-2017 Theatre Season presented by the Department of Theatre, Cinema and Dance at Missouri Western State University. Performances are scheduled at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 14, 15, 20, 21 and 22, with a Sunday matinee at 2 p.m. Oct. 16. Tickets are $14 for adults, $12 for Missouri Western faculty and staff, $8 for students, and free for Missouri Western students with valid ID. Tickets may be purchased at the door or in advance at the Potter Hall Box Office, 816-271-4452, or online at mwsutix.com.
In the comedy musical, six awkward spelling champions learn that winning (and losing) isn’t everything. The original Off-Broadway production in 2005 won three Drama Desk Awards, including Outstanding Book of a Musical. The show ran on Broadway for more than 1,000 performances from 2005 to 2008 and was nominated for six Tony Awards, winning for Best Book and Best Performance by a Featured Actor.
Missouri Western’s production is directed by Tee Quillin, associate professor of theatre. The cast includes:
Chip/Jesus: Erik Burns-Sprung
Panch: Antonio Daniels-Braziel
Mitch/Dan Dan/Olive Dad: Adarius Wells
Coneybear/Carl Dad: Joseph Kellogg
Barfee: Brandt Shields
Schwartzy: Raven Reed
Marcy: Jillian Lysaght
Olive: Kelsey Garber
Rona/Olive Mom: Abby Sexton
Music and lyrics are by William Finn. Book by Rachel Sheinkin. Conceived by Rebecca Feldman.
Missouri Western State University is a comprehensive regional university providing a blend of traditional liberal arts and professional degree programs. The university offers student-centered, high quality instruction that focuses on experience-based learning, community service, and state-of-the-art technology. Missouri Western is located in St. Joseph, Mo., and is committed to the educational, economic, cultural and social development of the region it serves. Visit www.missouriwestern.edu.