WILSON, N.C. — October 24, 2024 — What is everyone “buzzing” about?
Theatre at Barton is excited to present “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” on the Kennedy Family Theatre stage in November.
Shows will be held Thursday – Saturday, Nov. 7-9 at 7:30 p.m. and also on Sunday, Nov. 10 at 3 p.m. Tickets are available online at https://www.barton.edu/theatre Tickets for adults are $20, and tickets for Seniors (60+), Military, and Barton faculty/staff are $10. Barton students are admitted free with their college I.D. With limited seating capacity, advance tickets are required.
This production does briefly include some language innuendo and adult themes, and is intended for a mature audience (13+).
“This heartfelt Tony-Award winning musical follows a group of wonderfully unique and impassioned students as they compete for this year’s title,” shares Theatre at Barton director Sherry Lee Allen. “Cheer on each of these characters and more familiar faces, spelling their way through stories of home life, hope and acceptance. Which finalist will ultimately win the Bee?”
Featuring a marvelous score by William Finn, this show is a joyful night of comedy and quirkiness that celebrates the pursuit of victory, love, and being true to oneself.
The cast is led by Barton’s junior theatre major Chris Hodges (William Barfeé) and freshman theatre major Nolan Gamwell (Leaf Coneybear), senior political science and history major, Monica Shaver (Marcy Park), Barton theatre alumni Jordan Peartree (Chip Tolentino) and Brianna Tenhet (Olive), and Barton professor emerita Dr. Jane Kolunie (Olive’s mother).
Additional cast members include community guest artists and veterans of the Kennedy Family Theatre – Linda Barrera-Gil (Rona), Skylar McKinney (VP Panch), Shelby Lynn Caroon (Schwartzy), and JeRyan Rouse (Mitch). Understudy Rachel Barnes will be on stage for the Saturday evening performance in the role of Olive.
“Fun fact: One of our cast members actually did win their 5th grade competition in 2013, representing Sand Hill Elementary School in the Effingham County Spelling Bee in Guyton, Ga.,” shared Allen.
This production is directed and choreographed by Allen, with assistant choreographer/swing and dance captain Ella Beute and understudy Rachel Barnes. Lori McLelland serves as music director, and the technical director is Michael Dornemann. Costume and props design are by Dorothy Austin Harrell, assisted by junior Theatre design major Allison Levijoki and Anna Manning. Stage managers include Shamiya Gaskin and junior theatre major Tamaira Hawkins, with sound design by Drew Hackney.
For additional information about this show, email theatre@barton.edu or call 252-399-6492.
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