L to R: Arika Matoba, Rafael Molina, Sarah Russell in Village Theatre’s 2019/2020 season opening production of “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee”.
© 2019 Mark Kitaoka
Property of Village Theatre.
Village Theatre is kicking off a big year for them next month…it’s their 40th anniversary as one of the metro area’s major professional theater companies. And, they’re going to start off their anniversary year with an adorable crowd-pleasing hit for the whole family… the Tony Award winning, The 25thAnnual Putnam County Spelling Bee will open in their main Issaquah theater on September 12th for a six week run before heading up north to Everett for another month.
“Spelling Bee” is the charming little show about…a spelling bee! For kids! But, the kids are played by adult actors!
Really…it’s hella cute.
And, this production has a fabulous cast including Justin Huertas, Arika Matoba, Rafael Molina, Taylor Niemeye, Sarah Russell, MJ Sieber, Nicholas Japaul Bernard, Brian Lange, and Jessica Skerritt.
More poo below!
Village Theatre Kicks Off 40th Anniversary Celebration with The 25thAnnual Putnam County Spelling Bee
Issaquah Run: September 12 – October 20, 2019
Everett Run: October 25 – November 17, 2019
ISSAQUAH, Wash. – August 8, 2019 — Village Theatre is thrilled to inaugurate their 40th Anniversary Season with The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. The fast-paced and irreverent Tony Award-winning comedy is set to run in at the Francis J. Gaudette Theatre in Issaquah September 12 – October 20, 2019 before moving to the Everett Performing Arts Center October 25 – November 17, 2019.
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee follows an eclectic group of students as they vie for the title of regional spelling be champ – hoping never to hear the soul-crushing, pout-inducing, life un-affirming “ding” of the bell that signals a spelling mistake. The witty coming-of-age story is bursting with heart and is an unforgettable experience that chronicles all the joy, torment, and passion of those who love to compete. “This show is hilarious,” said director Brandon Ivie. “It has one of the funniest scripts I have ever read, but it also has these unexpected emotional moments. All these kids are in a pressure cooker situation where stakes could not be higher. Watching them succeed or crumble is thrilling and heartbreaking. This show gives you a full theatrical experience in such a seemingly simple and wacky package.”
The cast will unite the Pacific Northwest’s most talented and brilliant comedic geniuses. Spellers will include: Justin Huertas (award-winning playwright of Lizard Boy) as Chip Tolentino, Arika Matoba (Into the Woods) as Marcy Park, Rafael Molina (Into the Woods) as Leaf Coneybear,Taylor Niemeyer (Newsies) as Olive Ostrovsky, Sarah Russell (The Noteworthy Life of Howard Barnes) as Logainne Schwartzandgrubenniere, and MJ Sieber (Stupid F#@*ing Bird at ACT) as William Barfee. Additional casting includes: Nicholas Japaul Bernard (Hedwig and the Angry Inch at ArtsWest) as Mitch Mahoney, Brian Lange (Urinetown at ACT/The 5th Avenue Theatre) as Vice Principal Douglas Panch, and Jessica Skerritt (Singin’ in the Rain) as Rona Lisa Perretti.
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee will be directed by Village Theatre associate artistic director Brandon Ivie, who directed last Season’s hit World Premiere production of The Noteworthy Life of Howard Barnes. Joining Ivie on the production team are choreographer Trina Mills (Assassins at ACT), music director Tim Symons (Into the Woods), scenic designer Julia Welch (Fire Season at Seattle Public Theater), lighting designer Robert J. Aguilar (String), and costume designer Brynne McKeen (Always…Patsy Cline at Taproot Theatre Company).
Six spellers enter; one speller leaves! At least the losers get a juice box…
An unforgettable experience, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is onstage in Issaquah September 12 – October 20, 2019 before moving to Village Theatre’s Everett location October 25 – November 17, 2019. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased at Village Theatre’s website, over the phone, or by visiting the Box Office. For more information visit www.villagetheatre.org.
Issaquah Run: September 12 – October 20, 2019
Dates
Preview: Wednesday, September 11
Opening: Thursday, September 12 (Press Night)
American Sign Language Performance: Saturday, September 28
Post-Show Talkback: Tuesday, October 15
Closing: Sunday, October 20
Performances are Wednesday – Sunday, Select Tuesdays
Tuesday – Thursdays at 7:30PM
Fridays at 8:00PM
Saturdays at 2:00 PM and 8:00PM
Sundays at 2:00 PM and 7:00PM (no 7:00PM performance on September 15 or October 20)
Location
Village Theatre at the Francis J. Gaudette Theatre
303 Front Street North
Issaquah, WA 98027
Tickets
$38-$80
Web: https://www.villagetheatre.org/issaquah/spelling-bee.php
Phone: (425) 392-2202 | Tuesday – Saturday 11:00AM – 7:00PM
Everett Run: October 25 – November 17, 2019
Dates
Opening: Friday, October 25 (Press Night)
Post-Show Talkback: Saturday, November 9
Closing: Sunday, November 17
Performances are Wednesday – Sunday
Wednesdays – Thursdays at 7:30PM
Fridays at 8:00PM
Saturdays at 2:00 PM and 8:00PM
Sundays at 2:00 PM and 7:00PM (no 7:00PM performance on November 17)
Location
Village Theatre at the Everett Performing Arts Center
2710 Wetmore Avenue
Everett, WA 98201
Tickets
$35-$75
Web: https://www.villagetheatre.org/everett/spelling-bee.php
Phone: (425) 257-8600 | Tuesday – Saturday 11:00AM – 7:00PM
Village Theatre’s 5-Show Season Includes:
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Sept. 12 – Nov. 17, 2019)
Guys & Dolls (Nov. 7, 2019 – Feb. 2, 2020)
She Loves Me (Jan. 16 – Mar. 22, 2020)
Hansel & Gretl & Heidi & Günter (Mar. 12 – May 17, 2020)
The Wedding Singer (May 7 – Jul. 26, 2020)
Issaquah Subscriptions:
$135-$330
Web: https://www.villagetheatre.org/issaquah/subscribe.php
Phone: (425) 392-2202 | Tuesday – Saturday 11:00AM – 7:00PM
Everett Subscriptions:
$125-$330
Web: https://www.villagetheatre.org/everett/subscribe.php
Phone: (425) 257-8600 | Tuesday – Saturday 11:00AM – 7:00PM
About Village Theatre
Based in Issaquah, with operations in Everett, Village Theatre is the largest fully producing theatre in the Pacific Northwest, and a leading producer of musical theatre in the United States. Cultivating entertaining and quality productions since 1979, Village Theatre has grown into one of the country’s best attended theatres, with approximately 20,000 Subscribers and 220,000 attendees each Season. The theatre’s new works program, Village Originals, is nationally recognized for its commitment to the advancement new musicals, having supported the development of over 150 new works to date. Village Theatre also takes pride in nurturing tomorrow’s audiences through its youth education and outreach programs, serving over 57,000 young people and their families annually.
About the Author: Michael Strangeways
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