WC Fine Arts presents musical comedy, “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee”
Weatherford College Fine Arts presents the hilarious and heartfelt Broadway musical, “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,” in the Alkek Fine Arts Center Oct. 23-26.
Showtimes are at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and 2 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is free.
The musical comedy takes audiences inside a present-day middle school gymnasium where six eccentric finalists are vying for the coveted championship title. Each contestant harbors a unique backstory and a desperate need to win. As they navigate ridiculously complicated vocabulary, the spelling bee becomes a hilarious and sometimes poignant metaphor for navigating their own complicated young lives.
“I chose this production because I think that we remember as adults what it is to be a child, and all of the triumphs and defeats that go along with it,” said director James Brownlee. “It’s a very funny, very touching show.”
The production features a talented cast of WC students, with rotating leads on select nights:
Logainee Schwartzandgrunenierre (Schwartzy) — Mia Currie / Alanna Miller
Leaf Coneybear — Luke Neumann
William Barfee — Sky Rodriguez / Damian Castillejo
Marcy Park — Avalynn Ratliff
Chip — Lucas Steele / Mason Steele
Olive Ostrovsky — Maryn Milligan / Ari Deming
Chip Tolentine — Lucas Steele / Mason Steele
Rona Lisa Peretti — Aubrey Ward / Jasmine Houze
Douglas Panch — Ethan Spudich-Davis / Nickoli Wooten
Mitch Mahoney — Damien Snell / Wyatt McElroy
In addition to Brownlee, the production is student-directed by Mia Currie and Lee Rowland.
The “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” is licensed by Music Theatre International and is rated PG-13 for adult themes, mild language and some references to sexuality.