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Nov. 11, 2011 — The Allegheny College Playshop Theatre continues its 2011-2012 season with “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,” directed by Mark Cosdon. The show – conceived by Rebecca Feldman, book by Rachel Sheinkin and music and lyrics by William Finn – will be presented in the Gladys Mullenix Black Theatre in the Vukovich Center for Communication Arts Nov. 11-13 and 17-19. Performances are Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 13 at 2:30 p.m.

“The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,” which won two Tony Awards in 2005, is a funny, touching musical about six early adolescents competing in a spelling bee. November’s production will be the first musical produced by the Playshop Theatre in its new home in the Vukovich Center for Communication Arts.

“The play captures all the awkwardness of youngsters in an agonizingly funny and truthful way,” said Mark Cosdon. “Perhaps one of my favorite things about ‘The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee’ is the fact that each night our cast of spellers will be joined by four audience volunteers. Several campus and local celebrities are already on-tap, but the majority will be selected each evening before the start of the show. I’m really looking forward to seeing how the musical changes with each performance as these volunteer spellers attempt to win the bee.”

The ensemble cast includes Allegheny students Colleen McCaughey (Hudson, Ohio), Jon Wattras (Pittsburgh, Pa.), Breana Gallagher (Townville, Pa.), John Watt (Skaneateles, N.Y.), Lee Scandinaro (North Huntingdon, Pa.), Lizzie Thompson (Beaver, Pa.), Jordan Metcalfe (Glenshaw, Pa.), Johnny Rick (Meadville, Pa.) and Will True (Natick, Mass.). The music director and costume designer is Sarah Russell, and choreography is by Betsy Sumerfield. Allegheny student Shannon Reilly (Berkeley, Calif.) is the stage manager.

Tickets for “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” are $10 for adults and $7.50 for non-Allegheny students, senior citizens and Allegheny employees. Although admission is free for Allegheny students with identification, they are asked to make reservations. For more information or to order tickets, contact the Playshop Theatre box office at (814) 332-3414.