The Department of Theatre, Dance and Film kicks off its 2017-2018 season with this comedic, heart-filled musical. Do you remember middle school? Know the derivation of “syzygy”? Then you are all set to enjoy this show with its cast of zany characters and infectious songs, as the fictional Putnam Valley holds its annual spelling bee. These quirky characters confront life’s lessons with vulnerability, dignity and wit. But anything can happen, especially when celebrity spellers from the audience drop in to take on the cast.

This show will be directed by Jimmy Calitri (The Addams Family, Into the Woods) with music direction by Lila Kane (The Addams Family, Into the Woods), choreography by DC metro area based Jennifer Hopkins, and assistant directed by Rhode Island based Talia Triangolo. They will be joined by scenic designer Josh Christoffersen (The Laramie Project), costume designer Amanda Carney Downing (Playhouse Creatures, Lysistrata), and lighting designer Steven Mclellan, who has worked at many professional theatres all over Rhode Island. The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee opens in the Angell Blackfriars Theatre on Friday 20 October for one weekend, and returns the following weekend 27-29 October.