William Barfee, played by Bobby Rogers; Logainne Schwartzandgrubenniere, played by Jackie Rowe; and Marcy Park, played by Caitlyn Oenbrink. Come join six quirky middle–schoolers (played by adults) as they work through personal issues and insecurities while battling to be spelling bee

champion in The 25th

Annual Putnam County

Spelling Bee, which will be presented by Workshop September 10–25. This hilarious and touching musical comedy is the winner of two Tony Awards.

The bee is hosted by Rona Lisa Perretti (Vicky Saye Henderson). Spellers include reigning spelling champion of Putnam County Chip Tolentino (Hunter Bolton), homeschooler Leaf Coneybear ( Josh Payne), competitive William Barfee (Bobby Rogers), word–lover Olive Ostrovsky (Bethany Locklear), over–achiever Marcy Park (Caitlyn Oenbrink), and the youngest contestant, Logainne Schwartzandgrubenniere ( Jackie Rowe).

Marcy Park, played by Caitlyn Oenbrink; Rona Lisa Perretti, played by Vicky Saye Henderson; and Logainne Schwartzandgrubenniere, played by Jackie Rowe. After a five year hiatus from the Bee, Vice Principal Douglas Panch (George Dinsmore) returns as the bee’s judge and Mitch Mahoney (Charles McKenley) serves as comfort counselor for the losing spellers.

As an added twist, each performance will feature audience volunteers who will have their spelling abilities challenged in true spelling bee fashion.

Veteran director Jocelyn

Sanders ( Same Time,

Next Year; Carol ine, or

Change) guides the talented

cast of The 25th Annual

Putnam County Spelling

Bee and musical director Caroline Jones Weidner (Carol ine, or Change) keeps the beat. Clay Owens will ensure all the spellers are dressed in their best middle school attire. Randy Strange has transformed the stage, and Barry Sparks will light the bee.

This marks the Columbia

stage premiere of The

25th Annual Putnam

County Spelling Bee.

Performances are 8 p.m. September 10–11, 15–18, 22–25 and 3 p.m. September 12 and 19. Tickets are $22 for adults; $20 for senior citizens and military personnel; $16 for students; $12 for children 12 and under.

The box office opens to the public September 2, 2010. Call 799-6551 for reservations or go online to www.workshoptheatre.com

Workshop Theatre is located at 1136 Bull Street, on the southeast corner of Bull and Gervais Streets in downtown Columbia.