By GALEN HAWES

ADA – East Central University Theatre presents ā€œThe 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Beeā€ at 7:30 p.m. nightly Thursday through Saturday, February 13-15, at the Ataloa Theatre in the Hallie Brown Ford Fine Arts Center on the °µĶųTV campus.

The family-friendly production is based on an eclectic group of six mid-pubescents vying 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-unaffirming ā€œdingā€ of the bell that signals a spelling mistake. Six spellers enter; one speller leaves! At least the losers get a juice box.

ā€œThe 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Beeā€ is presented through a special arrangement with Music Theatre International. Music and lyrics are by William Finn and the play was written by Rachel Sheinkin, °µĶųTV Theatre’s production is directed by Makaila Rodriguez, the band is directed by Nicholaus Meyers, and the musical director is Rudy Lupinski.

The cast is made up of °µĶųTV students Malik Sharp of Shawnee; Allison Bush of Sapulpa; Isabella Roan of Garland, Texas; Zach Smith of Sapulpa; Kody Clark of Midwest City; Juan Oswguera of Ada; Margie Beck of Redlands, California; Russell McCreary of Conroe, Texas; Annabella Elliott of Ada; Teagan Williams of Blanco; Philip Newcomer of Ada; Summer Pearce of Bristow; Will Brock of Ada; and Zach Fowler of Mustang.

Tickets are available at the °µĶųTV Box Office online at /hbffac-box-office or by calling 580-559-5751. An adult ticket is $10; a ticket for °µĶųTV alumni or seniors is $9; a child’s ticket is $5; and °µĶųTV students, faculty and staff are admitted free.

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