Conceived by Rebecca Feldman
Book by Rachel Sheinkin
Music and Lyrics by William Finn
Harriet S. Jorgensen Theatre
April 18-28, 2024
Directed by Freddie Ashley
Music Direction by Dmitriy Glivinskiy
Choreography by Brandon Kelly
Winner of the Tony and the Drama Desk Awards for Best Book, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee has charmed audiences across the country with its effortless wit and humor. Featuring a fast-paced, wildly funny and touching book by Rachel Sheinkin and a truly fresh and vibrant score by William Finn, this bee is one unforgettable experience.
An eclectic group of six mid-pubescents vie 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 a champion! At least the losers get a juice box.
Freddy Ashley
director
Freddie Ashley is Artistic Director of Actor’s Express in Atlanta. He has directed over 45 AE productions, including Prayer for the French Republic, Urinetown, Desire Under the Elms and The Crucible, as well as World Premieres of Serial Black Face, Broadsword, Albatross and Fair Use. He has also directed at Connecticut Repertory Theatre, Dad’s Garage, Aurora Theatre, Theatre Gael and Jewish Theatre of the South.
Prior to joining AE, Freddie was Literary Manager of the Alliance Theatre (recipient of the 2007 Regional Theatre Tony Award), where he served as dramaturg for around 30 productions. He has developed new plays around the country with the Playwrights’ Center, Kennedy Center, New Group, Page 73 and Jewish Theatre of the South, working on new work projects with playwrights including Joshua Harmon, Michael Lew, Kenneth Lin, Lindsey Ferrentino, Marco Ramirez, Elyzabeth Gregory Wilder, Jen Silverman and John Patrick Shanley.
Freddie served as President of the National New Play Network Board of Directors from 2020 until 2022 and has taught or served as a guest artist with Kennesaw State University, Virginia Commonwealth University, Georgia State University, Hendrix College, Austin Peay State University, Oglethorpe University and the University of Georgia.
He is a recipient of the Elliott Hayes Award for Dramaturgy from the Literary Managers of the Americas, as well as the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival Medallion of Excellence. He is a four-time Suzi Bass Award winner for acting and directing.
He holds an MFA in Theatre Performance from the University of Southern Mississippi.
Design & Production Team:
Cody Rutledge, Scenic Design
Kayo Tokuue, Lighting Design
Adriana Gonzalez, Costume Design
Dennis Dowding and Jake Neighbors, Co-Sound Design
Alison Savino, Production Stage Manager
Aurora Courcy, Stage Manager
Cast:
Leaf Coneybear – Aidan James McNamara
Schwarzy – Cipa Frost
Olive – Ella Niewood
Barfee – Julian Setiadi
Chip – Dayo Garritano
Marcy – Jordan Au
Panch – Alex Winnick
Rona – Annie Tolis
Mitch – Brandon Collado
Dan Dad – Charles Rusciano
Carl Dad, Olive’s Dad, Coneybear’s Dad – Evan Wolfgang
Olive’s Mom – Katherine Berryhill
Jesus – Alyson Liew
Leaf’s Mom – Gianna Nichols
Leaf’s Siblings – Sarah Cripsey, Emma Schreiber
Show Photography:
©Mattais Lundblad
Reviews:
“It is impossible not to laugh.”
– Emily Lewson, UConn Daily Campus
“I highly encourage you to head to Storrs to enjoy this delightful show.”
– Nancy Sasso Janis, Patch
