West Fargo Sheyenne High School Theatre will present The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee at the Mayville State University Old Main Theatre Saturday, Dec. 3 at 7:30 p.m. This Tony Award-winning musical is by William Finn and Rachel Sheinkin. The performance in Mayville is part of a mini-tour fundraiser for Sheyenne Theatre’s participation in the 2017 American High School Theatre Festival held each August in Edinburgh, Scotland. Sheyenne will be the first school to represent North Dakota in this prestigious program. A portion of the evening’s ticket sales will also benefit the activities of Mayville State University Theatre.
Spelling Bee tells of an eclectic group of six mid-pubescents (and four guest spellers) who are vying for the spelling championship of a lifetime. While candidly disclosing hilarious and touching stories from their home lives, the tweens spell their way through a series of words, hoping never to hear the soul-crushing, pout-inducing, life un-affirming “ding” of the bell that signals a spelling mistake. Ten spellers enter the bee, but only one speller leaves! The losers get a juice box, a hug, and the satisfaction of a well-attempted effort.
Originally presented earlier this fall in West Fargo, Sheyenne Theatre’s The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee was visited by New York City theatre critic and columnist Peter Filichia during its October run. Mr. Filichia called the production one of the top ten high school shows he has attended and has discussed the performance in a weekly column for the theatrical licensing agency Music Theatre International and on the Today on Broadway/Broadway Radio podcast.
Tickets for the performance may be purchased at the door. All seats are general admission and priced $12.00 for adults and $10 for students and seniors.
Additional information for The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee or for Sheyenne High School’s award-winning theatre program can be found at www.westfargotheatre.com.