ISU Theatre presents ‘The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee’

If you’ve ever wanted to compete for a spelling bee championship, you may get your chance when ISU Theatre presents “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,” showing March 6-9 in Fisher Theater.

This heartfelt Tony Award-winning musical follows a group of wonderfully unique and impassioned adolescents – and audience participants – in a spelling bee competition. The joyful night of comedy and quirk features a fun and feisty score, all while celebrating the pursuit of victory and the gift of being true to oneself.

Claire Thede (’25 performing arts) said audiences are in for a unique experience.

“This show is wacky and out there in the best way,” said Thede, who plays the role of a spelling bee participant. “It is absolutely hilarious while still hitting home in touching moments.”

Guest artist Mary Jo DuPrey returns to Iowa State

Mary Jo DuPrey, award-winning Los Angeles theater director and a renowned vocal coach, is in residence this semester as director of the show. DuPrey was the personal touring voice teacher for Jon Bon Jovi and coached Daveed Diggs for his Tony Award-winning performance in “Hamilton.” A faculty member at UCLA from 2006 to 2017, DuPrey has directed and acted in countless plays and musicals.

DuPrey is returning to Iowa State for a second time after directing ISU Theatre’s “Night of the Living Dead! The Musical!” in 2022.

DuPrey said it’s been fulfilling to return to Ames to work on a timeless and beloved show. She’s reunited with familiar faces from her last visit while also meeting new students.

“Watching them growing in terms of their acting and their vocal capabilities – some of the students who were underclassmen are now seniors – and you can see the work they’ve acquired,” she said. “It’s also a whole slew of new people. It’s a fun mix. I’m just having such a great time with the cast. The students are all so hard-working and positive and playful and dedicated to getting the result.”

Kenedy Panosh (’26 performing arts, communication studies) is the stage manager for the show.

“Working with Mary Jo has been so fun and special,” Panosh said. “She was the guest director in my first semester at Iowa State. She’s got such unique experiences and makes me want to strive to put my best foot forward with everything I do.”

Thede is also working with DuPrey for the second time.

“In the last two years I have carried so much that she has taught me on all the other projects I’ve been part of since then,” Thede said.  “Even though I worked with her so closely before, she is always full of surprises. She brings an energy to the space that makes us want to work hard while also making the rehearsal room feel like a playground for an actor.”

An immersive, delightful experience

Before each show, the cast and creative team will interview audience members interested in participating on stage. DuPrey said participating in “Spelling Bee” becomes a lifelong memory for some people.

“It’s so funny and so delightful,” Duprey said. “People have had this experience and talked about it for years with their friends – ‘You remember when we went to see that show and you ended up in the show?’”

Panosh said rehearsals have been full of laughter and audiences are in for a fun night out.

“This show is so funny, and you can tell the actors are having fun,” Panosh said. “I can’t wait for people to see the show and join us in the fun!”

Showtimes, ticket information

Showtimes are March 6, 7, and 8 at 7:30 p.m., and March 9 at 2:00 p.m. This musical contains adult content. All tickets are general admission ($25 for adults; youth and ISU students free).

Tickets can be purchased at the door, through the Iowa State Center Ticket Office (open Monday-Friday, 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.), or any Ticketmaster. Free youth and student tickets can be obtained at the door or in advance (recommended) through the Iowa State Center Ticket Office. For more information, visit theatre.iastate.edu.

“The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” has music and lyrics by William Finn, book by Rachel Sheinkin, and is conceived by Rebecca Feldman with additional material by Jay Reiss. This performance is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI.