The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee

Music and Lyrics by William Finn
Book by Rachel Sheinkin 
Musically Directed by Julie Parsons
Lighting Design by Erin Simpson
Set Design by Ryan Dunn
Costume Design by Peter Donnelly

University of Washington 
Seattle, Washington
May-June 2012

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! At least the losers get a juice box.

"If you like comedy, singing, and dancing, then this spelling bee is right up your alley." -Tyler Hartung, The Daily

Photos by Mark Meixell