2021-2022 UToledo Theatre and Film Season
YEAR OF THE LIVING DEAD
By Edmund B. Lingan
Screening dates: October 29 - 31, 2021
FESTIVAL OF NEW STUDENT WORK
Performance dates: November 11 - 14, 2021
ELKSHIRE
By Alec Simon
Performance dates: February 10 - 14, 2022
25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE
Music & Lyrics by William Finn, Book By Rachel Sheinkin
Performance dates: April 7 - 10, 15-16 and 22-24, 2022
Dr. Matt Foss, associate professor of theatre and film and director of the musical, says “It features an ensemble of misfit kids trying to belong in a world that doesn’t always see value in their imaginations or idiosyncrasies — especially their ability to spell incredibly difficult words.”
The musical also features audience “spellers” who come on stage and compete for the chance to be the Putnam County Spelling Bee Champ. Audience members are encouraged to sign up in the lobby before each show.
The original 2005 Broadway production was nominated for six Tony Awards and won two for Best Book of a Musical and Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical. The original 2005 off-Broadway production won two Theatre World Awards and was nominated for four Lucille Lortel Awards and won two of them for Outstanding Musical and Outstanding Featured Actor; and won three Drama Desk Awards for Outstanding Book of a Musical, Outstanding Ensemble Performance and Outstanding Director of a Musical.
“This musical is a fun and light way to say goodbye to a couple of tough years,” said Dr. Edmund Lingan, acting chair of the UToledo Department of Theatre and Film. “I know everyone will enjoy it. It’s a lot of laughs.”
"The 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE" Credits
Music & Lyrics by William Finn, Book By Rachel Sheinkin
Conceived by Rebecca Feldman
Additional Material by Jay Reiss
Originally Directed on Broadway by James Lapine
Originally produced on Broadway by David Stone, James L. Nederlander, Barbara Whitman, Patrick Catullo, Barrington Stage Company, Second Stage Theatre
“The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” is presented by special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI).
UToledo production - cast
- Vice Principal Douglas Panch
- Alec Simon
- Rona Lisa Perretti / Olive’s Mom
- Maya Kinney
- William Barfee
- Jackson Howard
- Olive Ostrovsky
- Emily Damschroder
- Chip Tolentino
- Marquan Denby
- Logainne Schwartzandgrubenniere
- Madileine Chase
- Leaf Coneybear
- Jared Droesch
- Marcy Park
- Christina Baker
- Mitch Mahoney
- Jalen Riven
- Ensemble
- Jordyn Beery
- Samantha Reszko
- Gerardo Rosario Nieves
- Jayy Smith
- Mascot
- Taylor Enck
UTOLEDO PRODUCTION - crew
- Producers
- Edmund Lingan, Holly Monsos
- Director
- Matt Foss
- Assistant Director
- Jeffery Enck
- Choreographer
- Abby Glanville
- Assistant Choreographer
- Dayonna Embry
- Musical Director
- Gabriel Hagedorn
- Musicians
- Jamie Dauel, Ian Weil
- Stage Manager
- Jacob Prokup
- Assistant Stage Managers
- Benjamin Kunec, Natalie Rice
- Theatre / Production Manager
- Christopher M. Montpetit
- Production Design Coordinator
- Stephen Sakowski
- Scenic Designer
- Daniel Thobias
- Assistant Scenic Designer
- Brandanae’ Davis
- Technical Director / Scene Shop Manager
- Nate White
- Lighting Designer
- Stephen Sakowski
- Assistant Lighting Designer
- Laynie Durbin
- Master Electrician
- Morgan Cunningham
- Sound Designer
- Amanda Werre
- Associate Sound Designer
- Jeffery Enck
- Sound Engineer
- Jeffery Enck
- Costume Designer
- Kelly McBane
- Assistant Costume Designer
- Grace Mulinix