The Mercyhurst Theatre Program is bringing the Tony‑Award‑winning musical comedy “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” to the Taylor Little Theatre on the Mercyhurst University campus. Performances run Thursday, Nov. 5, through Sunday, Nov. 8.
Show details
With music and lyrics by William Finn and a book by Rachel Sheinkin, the show follows six quirky young spellers competing for the ultimate spelling championship. Along the way they confront challenging words while sharing heartfelt stories about family, friendship, insecurities and dreams.
Director Dr. Brett D. Johnson says the production offers students a chance to make bold comedic choices while discovering the humanity beneath the eccentric characters. “It’s a deceptively challenging musical, demanding both comic precision and emotional honesty,” he noted, adding that the experience is a terrific learning opportunity for the participants and a delight for audiences.
Cast and creative team
The production features eleven Mercyhurst students—Noah Beiter, Haven Bills, Abby Craig, Shane Dexter, Bella Mitlo, Johnathon Morvay, Eric Page, Maya Post, Hannah Scott, Sophia Sidorowicz, and Zack Yeager—along with alumnus Braden Rosciszewski. The creative team includes music director Andrew Rainbow, choreographer Jennie Caruso, scenic designer Tucker Topel, lighting designer Madeleine Steineck, costume designer Kim Brown, production stage manager Kate Bentley, and assistant stage managers Lydia Bacon, Jolynn Durlin, and Kenzie Soety.
Ticket information
Showtimes are Thursday, Nov. 5, at 7:30 p.m.; Friday, Nov. 6, at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, Nov. 7, at 7:30 p.m.; and Sunday, Nov. 8, at 2 p.m. Single tickets cost $15 for adults, $10 for senior citizens and non‑Mercyhurst students, and $5 for Mercyhurst students with ID, plus a $2.50 processing fee per ticket.
All performances are general admission with doors opening thirty minutes before curtain. Tickets can be reserved online at miac.mercyhurst.edu, by phone (814‑824‑3000, Tues.–Thurs., noon‑5 p.m.), or at the Mary D’Angelo Performing Arts Center box office. Additional tickets will be sold at the Taylor Little Theatre box office beginning 90 minutes before each performance.
The show is rated PG‑13 for mature themes, mild language and suggestive humor. It is presented through a special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI), which supplies all authorized performance materials.
Original reporting: Mercyhurst University News (Erie) – stopgap — read the source article.
