Winner of the Tony and the Drama Desk Awards for Best Book, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee has charmed audiences across the country with its effortless wit and humor. Featuring a fast-paced, wildly funny and touching book by Rachel Sheinkin and a truly fresh and vibrant score by William Finn, this bee is one unforgettable experience.
An eclectic group of six mid-pubescents vie for the spelling championship of a lifetime. While candidly disclosing hilarious and touching stories from their home lives, the tweens spell their way through a series of (potentially made-up) words, hoping never to hear the soul-crushing, pout-inducing, life un-affirming “ding” of the bell that signals a spelling mistake. Six spellers enter; one speller leaves! At least the losers get a juice box.
A riotous ride, complete with audience participation, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is a delightful den of comedic genius. The small cast and unit set make this a perfect option for high schools or community theatres. The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is a fast-paced crowd pleaser and an instant theatre patron favorite.
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
September 29th – October 2nd
Music & Lyrics by William Finn
Book by Rachel Sheinkin
Conceived by Rebecca Feldman
Rating: PG-13
Meet the Cast
Tia Wisco — Olive Ostrofsky
Tia Wisco is 17-years-old and has been a passionate performer in Bend’s community theatre productions for the past four years. She has performed in Legally Blonde (Elle), Into the Woods (Cinderella), Beauty and the Beast (Belle), Cyrano de Bergerac (Le Bret), and many more! She would like to dedicate this show to her cast, directors, senior class, and family (cats included) for always supporting her. Enjoy the show!
Cohen Flanagan — Chipto Tolentino
Cohen Flanagan is 16 years old and has been acting and singing for 7 years. Notable roles for him include Mr Mushnik in Little Shop of Horrors, Colonel Mustard in BEAT’s Clue, Mr. Cladwell in RPA’s Urinetown, and Wilbur in BEAT’s Charlotte’s Web. He hopes you enjoy him and his fellow cast mates in Putnam County Spelling Bee.
Stella Lyders — Logainne “Schwartzy” SchwartzandGrubenierre
Stella Lyders is 12 years old, and so incredibly excited and proud to perform 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee for you! Some of her other roles include Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors, Matilda from Matilda, Olaf from Frozen, Maggie Winslow from A Chorus Line, and Lucy from You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown. She hopes you enjoy the show!
Izzy Moon — Leif Coneybear
Izzy Moon is 15 years old and a sophomore at RPA. She is very passionate about theater and loves to read and snuggle her dog Isla. This summer she was overjoyed to participate in Broadway Artists Alliance summer intensive in New York City. She has performed in 11 shows, including A Chorus Line(Val), Romeo and Juliet (Lady Capulet), and Your a Good Man Charlie Brown (Linus). She would also like to wish her little brother Sam happy birthday!
Asher Wisco —Douglas Panch
Asher (Panch) is a sophomore at Cascades Academy. They are very excited to perform in Putnam County Spelling Bee. Asher has been doing theatre for the past four years. Some of the notable shows they have done are Matilda, Into the Woods Jr, You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown, A Midsummer’s Night Dream, Almost Maine, Cyrano de Bergerac, and most recently Little Shop of Horrors. They hope you enjoy the show!
Constance Currie —Rona Lisa Perretti
Constance Currie is 14 years old and a freshman at RPA. She has been acting for almost 5 years now. Some previous roles you might have seen her as, Mira in Theory of Relativity, Cassie in A Chorus line, Roxanne in Cyrano De Bergerac, and Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors. Constance is so excited to be a part of this wonderful show, and being able to work with this amazing cast and crew! And she hopes you enjoy the show!
Shea Miller — Mitch Mahoney
When asked to write a bio, Shea Miller said, “Well, let’s start from my birth…no, earlier…my conception. I was a planned pregnancy, unlike my brother-“ and was told that was “grossly unnecessary” and “also just gross.” So she followed a template and instead wrote, “Shea Miller has been in many productions before, including The Miracle Worker at the Artist Repertory Theater, Gypsy with Two Twisted Sisters Productions, and The Lightning Thief with Summit High School. She is very [insert emotion here] to be in this production of 23rd Annual Jefferson County Geography Bee.”
Marcus Roberts — William Barfée
Marcus Roberts (more commonly known as Marcluse) is an 18 year old hailing from Chicken, Alaska. You may have seen him recently as Raganou in CTC’s recent production of Cyrano de Bergerac. Marcus would like everyone to know he has the Lego Death Star. Jealous?
Alex Dennis — Marcy Park
Alex Dennis is a sophomore at RPA, and has been involved with theater for over 9 years. Some of her favorite productions have been The Wizard of Oz, A Chorus Line, and Cyrano de Bergerac. Besides theater, Alex likes reading, white-water rafting, and tap dancing. She would like to thank the cast and directors for making this such an amazing show and experience.
Branson Wiley — Music Director
Brason has been seen onstage in many productions locally, as Buddy in Elf the Musical, Cyrano de Bergerac, A Chorus Line, Little Shop of Horrors, and coming soon as Rolf in The Sound of Music. Branson has previously music directed Little Shop of Horrors, and this is his first time working on the production team at CTC, but definitely not his last.
Erik McGinnis — Director
Erik J McGinnis is the founder and Artistic Director of the Theatre 360 Educational Studio in Bend, Oregon. Directorial credits include: Little Shop of Horrors, Cyrano de Bergerac Into the Woods, Beauty and the Beast, Alice in Wonderland, You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, Legally Blonde, and Frozen. As a performer, you’ve seen him locally in: Titanic the Musical (Barrett), Newsies (Jack Kelly), West Side Story (Action), CATS (Rum Tum Tugger), Rock Of Ages (Drew), RENT (Mark), and of course, Almost, Maine (Multiple Productions, Multiple Roles), among many others in his theatrical career. Erik is happy to be at CTC once more for another great production. Up next for McGinnis, he will be directing The Fantasticks, and a young adults production of RENT, both at Cascades Theatrical Company in 2023.
Nancy Scher — AD & Choreographer
is an actress-singer-dancer, and mother. She studied dance at the prestigious Juilliard School, and pursued acting in television, movies, and live theater in LA. Since moving to Bend she has embraced community theater, directing and choreographing, The World Goes ‘Round, Reefer Madness, The Addams Family, and the highly acclaimed, Disenchanted! Nancy has been seen onstage in Company, 5 Lesbians Eating a Quiche, Lost in Yonkers, and Murder On The Orient Express. She is currently on staff at Gotta Dance Studios. “Working with Erik and the teens has been an honor and a privilege. It has reignited my creativity and love of theater. I’m excited to be part of this talented and hardworking cast and can’t wait to see what future productions bring!”
