'Putnam County Spelling Bee' takes the stage

The Gundlach Theatre curtain will rise Thursday for the School of Music & Theatre's production of the laugh-out-loud-funny musical comedy, 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.

The show follows a group of six socially awkward youngsters as they vie for the spelling championship of a lifetime at the Putnam Valley Middle School in Putnam County, N.Y. While openly revealing hilarious and moving stories about their lives, the “tweens” spell their way through a series of (potentially made-up) words, trying to avoid the toll of the bell that would eliminate them from the competition. All of this occurs while they discover that perhaps winning isn’t everything.

To make the show interactive, director Stephen Svoboda, visiting assistant professor of theatre, will utilize guest spellers from the audience, bringing them on stage as part of a different theme for each of the productions. The cast includes the following: Ted Berger, Erikka Breidenbach, Gavin Hubbard, Sam Stohlman, Haley Hudler, Kaylea Bowers, Tyler Majoy and Cameron Lyons. Svoboda also has brought in guest artist Caitlyn Oenbrink, who also joins the cast.

“This will be a great time at the theatre,” Stephen said. “With its universal message of the need to belong and find your identity, Putnam Count’ will make you think. You will care about these kids, maybe even see yourself in some of them, and you will laugh.”

Performance dates are 8:30 p.m. Thursday, April 6; 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, April 7-8; and 2 p.m. Sunday, April 9.

General admission tickets are $10 and can be purchased in advance at www.gundlachtheatre.org or at the door.