On April 12-14, Spotlight and the Rotary Club of Pell City will present the hit Broadway musical “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.” 

Based on the book by Rachel Sheinkin, this production features a charming and quirky group of youngsters who discover they can stand out and fit in at the same time. The show follows six middle-schoolers competing to be the best speller and equally awkward adult moderators who barely managed to escape childhood themselves.

In this hilarious tale, they learn the lesson that winning is not everything, and losing does not necessarily make you a loser. Spotlight will present this Tony award-winning show April 12-14.

Audiences can expect to see a few familiar faces along with many new ones. Spotlight Core veterans Jacob Call and Elizabeth Money star as the moderators of the bee, with Jefferson State students Cris Rosas, Caitlyn Smith, Abby Milton, Ashley Arnett and Solomon Smith (recently seen in Miracle on 34th Street) and community volunteers Vidal Lanier, Glen Turton, and Les Hoffman as spellers and supporting characters.

The show also welcomes first-year Pell City High School teacher Jared Shiver as both a cast member and musical director.

“Thank goodness for Jared,” director Lesley Warren said. “He is already doing an amazing job. I’d be lost without him!”

You can support your community theater and these amazing local actors by catching “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” at CEPA on April 12 and 13 at 7 p.m. and April 14 at 2 p.m.  Reserve your tickets by visiting pellcitycepa.com/tickets.

“The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” is rated as a PG-13 show, but Spotlight has edited content to make it more accessible for younger children. Parents should still be cautioned that some adult subject matter is addressed in the play.

Spotlight is a countywide, all-ages drama education program whose mission is to foster drama education and encourage student and community participation in theater in St. Clair County. Spotlight is supported by Jefferson State Community College, The Alabama Council on the Arts, Honda, The City of Pell City, and The Pell City School System.