The New London Barn Playhouse is E-C-S-T-A-T-I-C to invite you to watch this season’s production of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee running through June 25 at 7:30 p.m. with matinee performances on June 21 and 23 at 2 p.m., and Sunday performances at 5 p.m.
A 2005 award-winning Broadway hit, “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” is a quirky musical comedy that follows six middle schoolers competing for the spelling championship of a lifetime while sharing hilarious and touching stories with the audience. These tweens spell their way through difficult – and possibly made-up– words hoping to avoid the crushing agony of defeat signaled by the “ding!” of the bell. With music and lyrics by William Finn, written by Rachel Sheinkin and conceived by Rebecca Feldman with additional material by Jay Reiss, and originally directed by James Lapine and produced by David Stone, James L. Nederlander, Barbara Whitman, and Patrick Catullo, this show is sure to be a W-I-N!
Starring in this production is another wonderful assembly of Barnies from past seasons as well as a few making their Barn Playhouse debut. We welcome back Briana Gantsweg as Rona Lisa Peretti (and Olive’s Mom) who last was at the Barn Playhouse in 2019 for “The Odd Couple” and “All Shook Up” in 2017, Adam Zeph as Douglas Panch returning again after many productions at the Barn Playhouse including “Boeing, Boeing” and “Mamma Mia!” in 2022, Cara Rose DiPietro as Olive Ostrovsky, a returning alumni from the 2019 Acting Intern Company where she played Brenda Strong in “Catch Me If You Can,” Joseph Frederick Allen as Leaf Coneybear (and Carl’s Dad), a member of the 2017 Acting Intern Company and directing the 2022 Straw Hat Revue, Lorin Zackular as Logainne Schwartzandgrunenierre, a member of the 2015 Acting Intern Company who most notably played Maria in “The Sound of Music,” Daniel Tracht as Chip Tolentino, returning after his summer at the Barn Playhouse in 2022 where he starred as Ren McCormack in “Footloose,” and David Robbins as Mitch Mahoney (And Dan’s Dad, Olive’s Dad) a member of the 2009 Acting Intern Company. Joining us for the first time at the Barn Playhouse we welcome Miranda Noelle Macasero as Marcy Park and Christian Fary as William Barfee! Lauren Dodds is the Female Swing and Brecken Hummer as the Male Swing.
The Barn Playhouse is thrilled to welcome back director Kathryn Markey, seen at the Barn Playhouse as director of “Boeing, Boeing,” “Always, Patsy Cline,” “Peter and the Starcatcher,” “Carousel,” “South Pacific,” “Fiddler on the Roof” and “Don’t Dress for Dinner,” and music director J. Kathleen Castellanos returns after she was the music director for “The Marvelous Wonderettes” in 2019, Choreographer Natalie Wisdom returns to the Barn Playhouse after notably choreographing “The Pajama Game” and “She Loves Me,” Scenic Designer Brad M. Carlson also makes a return after designing Footloose and “A Chorus Line” in 2022, Costume Designer Travis A. Sykes returns to the Barn Playhouse for a second season, Production Stage Manager Jeremy Phillips, Assistant Stage Manager Wavyne White, and joining us for the first time as Lighting Designer, Zachary Ahmad-Kahloon.
The band for this production includes John Gavin (Drums), Maria Hadge (Cello), Megan Trach (Reeds) and Andre Braza (Keys 2).
Tickets start at $22 for adults and are available at nlbarn.org/tickets, by phone at 603-526-6710 or at the New London Barn Playhouse box office Tuesday-Sunday starting at 11 a.m.