March 7 - March 31, 2024
44th Season
153rd Production

Music Theater Works in association with Music Theatre International

KYLE A. DOUGAN
Producing Artistic Director

Presents

The 25th Annual 
Putnam County Spelling Bee

The 25th Annual 
Putnam County Spelling Bee
Is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI).
All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. 
www.mtishows.com

Any video and/or audio recording of this production is strictly prohibited.

Wow, has it really been 20 years since this joyous nugget of a musical was born? 25th Annual is almost old enough to drink! I remember seeing the original Broadway production when I was not much older than the contestants themselves, as well as the resident Chicago production. When I was in college, it seemed to be a requirement for every voice recital or evening of scenes, and in the years since, it has remained a popular choice for theatres of all shapes and sizes.

So what is it about this quirky little show that has stood the test of time? I think it's a partially a great coming-of-age story—we've all suffered through the awkward dawning of puberty!—and partially that irresistible score—just try and get these songs out of your head! But mostly, I think, the Bee reminds us of a few life lessons we are never too old to hear again:

• Work hard and be proud of yourself.
• Winning isn't everything!
• Be kind to others.
• Don't take life so seriously. 

As we watch these young spellers come face-to-face with adolescence and competition, I think we realize how much we still stress out over things in life that ultimately don't matter. Hopefully this show reminds us all that wherever we finish, it's the friends that we make along the way that are most important.

Bill Kirchmeyer
Binny’s Beverage Depot
Chicago Scots
Gus ?
The Thistle & Heather Highland Dancers
Javier Vega at Byline Bank
The Walder Foundation
Jon Will
LaLonna J. Jackson of the Illinois Dept. of Commerce and Economic Opportunity