Stagefright presenting “Putnam County Spelling Bee” this weekend

The student-run Stagefright Theatre Company will present three performances of William Finn’s musical comedy “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” this weekend.

Performances will be held at 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 24 and Saturday, Feb. 25 and 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 26 in the Antone Academic Center’s Megley Theatre. Admission is $5 and tickets will be available at the door.

“The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” features an eclectic group of six mid-pubescents vying 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.

The production is directed by Lea Carpanzano ’18, with musical direction by Bryce Sholtes ’20 and choreography by Shannon Harrington ’18. The cast includes Jacob Fernandes ’17, Jillian Brooks-Duval ’20, Olivia Carderelli ’20, Alexis Weiss ’19, Jennifer Sutherland ’18, Bradley Simpson ’20, Henry Nickerson ’20, Morgan Salpietro ’19 and Daniel Landino ’20.