An actor in a boy scout uniform sings into a microphone on a stage. He has a placard around his neck with the number 29 written on it. Other students and teachers dance around him.

The cast of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, directed by Peter Flynn at Ford’s Theatre. Photo by Scott Suchman.

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee

March 14, 2014 — May 17, 2014

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee follows six awkward adolescents through their daunting and hilarious championship quest. As they navigate the tournament’s pressures, the eccentric coterie finds a new sense of belonging. Along the way, they learn that there is more to life than winning a trophy. This charming coming-of-age tale also invites four volunteers from the audience to participate in each performance, ensuring new and unexpected comedy every night. Peter Flynn (1776) returns to direct this heartwarmingly quirky Tony-winning musical comedy.

Artistic Team

Director Peter Flynn

Choreographer Michael Bobbitt

Music Direction Christopher Youstra

Scenic Design Court Watson

Costume Design Wade Laboissonniere

Lighting Design Nancy Shertler

Sound Design David Budries

Wig and Make-Up Design Anne Nesmith

Dialects Susanne Sulby

Production Stage Manager Craig A. Horness

Assistant Stage Manager Taryn Friend

Cast

Carolyn Agan

Olive Ostrovsky

Matthew A. Anderson

Vice Principal Douglas Panch

Felicia Curry

Marcy Park

Kristen Garaffo

Logainne Schwartz, Grubenniere

Vincent Kempski

Chip Tolentino

Kevin S. McAllister

Mitch Mahoney

Vishal Vaidya

William Barfee

Nickolas Vaughan

Leaf Coneybear

Rachel Zampelli

Rona Lisa Perretti

Maggie Donnelly

Understudy

Clark Young

Understudy

Musicians

Keyboard I/Conductor Christopher Youstra

Keyboard II George Fulginiti-Shakar

Reeds Lee Lachman

Cello Drew Owen

Percussion Mark Carson

From the Gallery

A man in a jacket and bowtie and a woman in a blue blazer sit at a table. The man holds a card in his hand, the woman holds a clipboard. Both look concernedly at something off stage.

Matthew A. Anderson as Vice Principal Panch and Rachel Zampelli as Rona Lisa Perretti in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, directed by Peter Flynn at Ford’s Theatre. Photo by Scott Suchman.

A group of 10 actors dressed as children sit in chairs on a stage, each with a number on a placard around their necks. A woman in a blue blazer stands next to them and speaks.

The cast (and audience participants: numbers 32 and 54, others) of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, directed by Peter Flynn at Ford’s Theatre. Photo by Scott Suchman.

A man in a jacket and bowtie and a woman in a blue blazer speak into a microphone on a stage. Ten actors dressed as children sit off to a side, each with a placard with a number on it around their neck. A banner behind them says "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee."

The cast (and audience participants: numbers 32 and 54, others) of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, directed by Peter Flynn at Ford’s Theatre. Photo by Scott Suchman.

A group of people all dance together on a stage. Most have placards around their necks with numbers on them. In the foreground a dictionary rests on the ground.

The cast of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee and an audience speller (at center). Photo by Scott Suchman.

The cast of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, directed by Peter Flynn at Ford’s Theatre. Photo by Scott Suchman.

A girl kneels on a stage and smiles. A placard around her neck has the number 8 on it. Next to her a dictionary rests against a microphone stand.

Carolyn Agan as Olive Ostrovsky in the Ford’s Theatre production of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, directed by Peter Flynn. Photo by Scott Suchman.

An young man sings and holds his hands wide. He had a placard around his neck with a 17 written on it. Other students sit behind him.

Nickolas Vaughan and cast of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, directed by Peter Flynn at Ford’s Theatre. Photo by Scott Suchman.

A girl stands on a stage and sings. She wears a placard around her neck with a 5 written on it. Other adults and student stand around her and sing.

(Left to right) Vishal Vaidya (background), Kevin S. McAllister, Kristen Garaffo, Carolyn Agan (background) and Vincent Kempski in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, directed by Peter Flynn at Ford’s Theatre. Photo by Scott Suchman.

An actor and actress face each other and press palms together. Each has a placard around their necks with a number written on it. In the foreground is a microphone.

Carolyn Agan as Olive Ostrovsky and Vishal Vaidya as William Barfee in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, directed by Peter Flynn at Ford’s Theatre. Photo by Scott Suchman.

An actor dressed as a child in suspenders and a tie stands on a table and dances. Three adults dance around him. Behind them students dance on a raised stage. Above them is a sign that says "The 25th Annual Putman County Spelling Bee."

The cast of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, directed by Peter Flynn at Ford’s Theatre. Photo by Scott Suchman.