The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee

#LSN_Arts   Adam Lavine and Savannah Kaufenberg

SUPERIOR, WISCONSIN   – April 9, 2018  (LSN)  University of Wisconsin-Superior Theatre will present the musical “The 25^th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” in the Manion Theatre located in the Holden Fine and Applied Arts Center on the UW-Superior campus. Performances, directed by Jeffrey Madison, will take place April 27 - 28, and May 4 - 5 at 7:30 p.m. and April 29 and May 6 at 2 p.m.

Written by Rachel Sheinkin and William Finn, “The 25^th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” follows an eclectic group of six students as they vie for the spelling championship of a lifetime. A riotous ride complete with audience participation, it has charmed audiences across the country with its effortless wit, humor and music.

“What I love about it is that it’s so multi-layered, there are really smart jokes that play on the spelling bee words mixed with a little adolescent toilet humor” said Jeffrey Madison, Senior Lecturer in the UW-Superior Music Department and director of the production. “There are many different styles of music within the show. Each child in the show, which of course are played by college students, has their own soundtrack to accompany them as they drift away into their own thoughts. We’ve got things that sound like Motown, gospel, Billy Joel-type 80s pop-styles, Fosse soft shoe, and an appearance from India. It’s really eclectic and very interesting.”

For Madison, bringing the comedic style of “The 25^th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” was an opportunity he welcomed.

“Most of my own professional performing career has been in comedy, and it is honestly, my favorite type of project,” said Madison. “The comedy in this play and the characters, the hilariously flawed characters, remind me of ‘The Carol Burnett Show.’ Along with Bob Hope style funny one-liners, it harkens back to a style I love.”

Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for seniors and non-UW-Superior students, $5 for students with a valid UW-Superior ID and $5 for groups of 10 or more. Tickets may be purchased at the Box Office in Holden Fine and Applied Arts Center at UW-Superior.

Reservations can be made at (715) 394-8380. If you need immediate assistance, please call the Department of Communicating Arts at (715) 394-8369. The Manion Theatre is located in the Holden Fine and Applied Arts Center at 1805 Catlin Ave. in Superior.