FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                         December 2008
Contact: Craig Shafer
publicity@pcpa.org
805-928-7731, 4100

PCPA THEATERFEST’S 45th ANNIVERSARY SEASON

ANNOUNCING THE MYSTERY MUSICAL

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee

Due to contractual limitations, PCPA was unable to announce the title of this Tony-Award winning play until December 1, 2008. Now we're happy to announce The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is officially part of PCPA’s 45th Anniversary Season. It will play in Santa Maria and Solvang June 19 - August 2.

Where else could six young people struggling with puberty stand out and fit in at the same time? The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, of course.

This momentous spelling championship pits the quirkiest collection of heroes against one another in the unlikeliest of hit musicals. In this charming challenge, the contestants learn that winning isn’t everything and that losing doesn’t necessarily make you a loser.

Time magazine called it “The joy of nerdiness;” “Funniest thing in seven consonants,” raved The Washington Post; “It’s spelled W-O-N-D-E-R-F-U-L,” wrote the Wall Street Journal.

And, you’ll want to brush up on your spelling; because at each performance of Spelling Bee, four audience members are recruited to participate on-stage. The guest spellers will insure a unique evening of theater, night after night. The production runs under two hours without intermission.

The show was nominated for six Tony Awards in 2005 and took Best Book of a Musical by Rachel Sheinkin and Best Featured Actor, Dan Fogler. Drama Desk Awards recognized Outstanding Book of a Musical, Outstanding Director of a Musical, James Lapine, and Outstanding Ensemble Performance. Spelling Bee ran for 1,136 performances at Broadway's Circle in the Square Theatre, but it began as a non-musical improvisational play, C-R-E-P-U-S-C-U-L-E created by Rebecca Feldman.

The oddly assorted contestants include a newcomer to spelling bees, Olive Ostrovsky, and William Barfee, a finalist from last year who because of a food allergy was eliminated. His "magic foot" method of spelling makes him a standout. Logainne Schwartzandgrubenierre is the youngest of the contestants who speaks with a lisp and has two overbearing fathers. Marcy Park is multi-lingual, plays hockey and rugby (a champion player), plays multiple instruments and attends a Catholic school called Our Lady of Intermittent Sorrows. Leaf Coneybear spells while in a trance and made it into the competition because the first runner up had to go to a Bat Mitzvah. And then there is Chip Tolentino who is returning to defend his title. They all keep the show offbeat, funny, and heartwarming.

Spelling Bee will play June 19 through July 11 in Santa Maria's Marian Theatre, then transfer to Solvang to play July 17 through August 2 in the outdoor Festival Theater.

Currently playing is Irving Berlin's White Christmas. It runs in the Marian Theatre in Santa Maria through December 21. Also slated for the 2008-2009 season, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Les Misérables, The Music Man, The Spitfire Grill, and Distracted. And, still to be announced are the titles of two play readings set for the spring that will run in rotating rep in the Severson Theatre.

In addition to single tickets, a number of season ticket – subscription– plans are available starting with a 4-play Choose Your Own series, and on up to an 8-play series. Subscribers get the best seats and lowest prices and can also purchase unlimited single tickets at their subscriber rate. (Les Misérables is limited to 2 additional tickets per subscriber at their rate). And they’ll save big this season. By taking advantage of their low subscription ticket rate, they can attend the special engagement of Les Misérables for 30% off the regular ticket price.

Visit the box office or phone (805) 922-8313 between 1 and 7pm Wednesday through Sunday to sign up for season tickets, or view the plans online at www.pcpa.org.

Information about Group Sales for 12 or more patrons may be obtained by contacting groups@pcpa.org or by calling 1-800-922-2123.

Now in its 45th season, PCPA Theaterfest is the Central Coast’s Resident Professional Theatre Company, and has infused the national theatre scene with thousands of trained actors and theatrical technicians over the years in its conservatory.

Just the facts:

What:
PCPA Theaterfest presents The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
Music and Lyrics by William Finn, Book by Rachel Sheinkin, Conceived by Rebecca Feldman

Box Office: (805) 922-8313, hours from 1 to 7pm Wednesday - Sunday.
(closed Monday and Tuesday unless there is a Tuesday performance)

Online tickets and information: www.pcpa.org

Photos, calendar, casting, and notes on the production at this link.

# # #