Get out your dictionaries and prepare for H-I-L-A-R-I-O-U-S entertainment at the Wilson Center Auditorium when the Mint City Players present the musical comedy and amateur area premiere of “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.”
Show time is 7 p.m., July 22-24 at the venue that’s located on Cass Street, just a block south of the St. Johns downtown business district.
The Tony award-winning musical is fresh off the national tour. It recently closed on Broadway after nearly 1,200 performances.
A cast of great characters makes the musical come alive – the reigning spelling champion, the overachiever with the lisp, the kid with a host of health problems, and the second alternate that never expected to compete – they all are united by a love of spelling.
“This is not a show you want to miss,” says director Ashley Bowen. “We’ve been laughing continuously in rehearsals and know that audiences will enjoy this musical. The cast includes both past and current performers from the St. Johns High School Theatre Department.”
Audience participation adds to the fun.
“Four, different audience ‘volunteers’ will be chosen at each performance to participate on stage in the spelling bee, making each performance unique,” Bowen says.
Volunteer spellers are encouraged to arrive at the theater 30 minutes prior to curtain time on the day of each performance to sign up for the impromptu cast duty.
Tickets for “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” are $10 for adults, and $8 for students with a valid ID. All tickets are general admission. The show is suggested for ages 13 and older.
Tickets are available by calling the box office, (989) 227-4210, and on show dates two hours prior to each performance time.
Proceeds benefit renovations at the Wilson Center Auditorium.
Members of the “Spelling Bee” cast rehearse for their upcoming performance: Ashley Kerby, Chris Robinson, Keean Quinn, Trish Amanda Hubbard, Joel Carpenter, Mallory Cormier, and Travis Cormier.