The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
October 14-15 and 19-22
A Wildly Witty Musical Comedy
Book by Rachel Sheinkin, Music and Lyrics by William Finn
Conceived by Rebecca Feldman
Six spellers enter… one speller leaves! This effortlessly funny and touching show is a fast-paced crowd pleaser sure to charm audiences. An eclectic group of mid-pubescent students vie for the spelling championship of a lifetime while candidly disclosing hilarious and heartfelt stories from their home lives. As they spell their way through a series of (potentially made-up) words, they pray not to hear the soul-crushing “ding” of the bell that signals a spelling mistake. With a bouncy score and plenty of laughs, this feel-good show is a must-see.
NOTE: This production contains strong language and mild adult themes.
“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
Friday, October 14th at 7:30pm - Opening Night Party
Saturday, October 15th at 1:00pm - THEATRE FOR ALL PERFORMANCE
Saturday, October 15th at 7:30pm
Wednesday, October 19th at 7:30pm
Thursday, October 20th at 7:30pm
Friday, October 21st at 7:30pm
Saturday, October 22nd at 7:30pm
Location: Forest Roberts Theatre
Tickets are $17 for General Public, $12 for NMU Faculty/Staff, Seniors, and Military, $10 for Students, and $5 for NMU Students.
Cast List
Helen Fortin as Rona Lisa Peretti/Olive’s Mom
John Thomson as Vice Principal Douglas Paunch/Olive’s Dad
Liam Fisher as Mitch Mahoney/ Schwartzy’s Dad Dan
Maya Moreau as Olive Ostrovsky
Quinn Skelly as William Morris Barfée
Kendyl Dahlstrom as Logainne SchwartzandGrubenierre
Lia Hielkema as Marcy Parks
Asa Naigus as Leaf Coneybear/Jesus
Michael Ahlstrom as Charlito “Chip” Tolentino/ Schwartzy’s Dad Carl
Madalyn Hasyn as a Swing
Phillip Smith as a Swing
Creative Team
| Director | Keli Crawford-Truckey |
| Music Director | Sara Parks |
| Scenic Designer | Lex van Blommestein |
| Lighting Designer | Marla Alden |
| Properties Designer | Keli Crawford-Truckey |
| Costume Designer | Gianna Bratke |
| Production Stage Manager | Sam Wardisiani† |
| Sound Designer | William Squires IV |
| Technical Director | Ethan Noel-Rickert |
† Indicates membership in Alpha Psi Omega, the National Theatre Honor Society.
Additional Artistic Staff
| Assistant Stage Manager | Bryson Krieger |
| Assistant Stage Manager | Cyrus Cohen |
| Assistant Scenic Designer | Cassie Bowler |
| Hair & Makeup Designer | Erin Hope† |
| Fall/Combat Coordinator | Jimmy Ludwig |
| "Pas De Deux" Choreographer | Karina Johnson |
| Lightboard Operator | Breeze Wojciechowski |
| Audio 1 | Dane Krusick |
| Audio 2 | Meara Kronsperger |
| Follow Spot Operator | Samuel McKnight |
| Follow Spot Operator | Emma Car |
| Pit Crew | Laura Hinz |
| Pit Crew | Maisie James |
| Fly Rail Operator | Cyrus Cohen |
† Indicates membership in Alpha Psi Omega, the National Theatre Honor Society.
Forest Roberts Theatre Professional Staff
| Producer | Bill Digneit |
| Director of Theatre and Dance | Jill Grundstrom |
| Production Manager/Lighting Supervisor | David Pierce |
| Technical Director/Scene Shop Supervisor | Braeden Ingersoll |
| Marketing Office Manager | Emily Burbey |
| Scenic/Paint Supervisor | Lex van Blommestein |
| Costume Shop Supervisor | Ann Juidici |
| Master Carpenter | Emily Kendall |
| Sound & Media Supervisor | Dan Zini |
Forest Roberts Theatre Staff
| Assistant Scene Shop Supervisors | Ethan Noel-Rickert |
| Scene Shop Technicians | Tyler Crowley, Emily Iszler, Bryson Krieger, Noah Proctor†, Carl Swanson, Sam Wardisiani† |
| Electrics Shop Crew Leader | Marla Alden |
| Sound/Media Shop Crew Leader | Ryan Harvey |
| Electrics/Sound Technicians | Cassie Bowler, Erin Hope†, Dane Krusick, William Squires IV |
| Costume Shop Staff | Gianna Bratke, Zephyrus Choberka, Rhiannyn McCauley, Aja Miller, Alistair Nehmeh, Susanne Shabazi, Elise Wilcox |
| Marketing/Box Office Staff | Tyler Crowley, Maddie Greenleaf, Keely Hanson, Erin Hope†, Bryson Krieger |
† Indicates membership in Alpha Psi Omega, the National Theatre Honor Society.