Theatre to Open 'Putnam County Spelling Bee' Friday
JONESBORO – Arkansas State University Theatre will conclude its 2017-18 season with the comedic musical, "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee," written by Rachel Sheinkin at the Drama Theatre in Fowler Center, 201 Olympic Dr.
Performances will begin at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, April 13-14, and Monday through Wednesday, April 16-18.
The story features an eclectic group of six mid-pubescents who vie for the spelling championship of a lifetime. The presentation is directed by Lisa Bohn, associate professor of theatre.
The Department of Theatre will be collaborating with the Department of Music to produce the show. Dr. Marika Kyriakos is directing music while Dr. Kenneth Carroll is conducting the orchestra.
Members of the audience will have an opportunity to meet the cast at a dessert reception following the opening night performance of the play, which won the Tony and Drama Desk Awards for Best Book.
The cast features Zac Passmore of Jonesboro as Chip/Jesus, Abbey Cooper of Russellville as Logainne, Carson Horton of Batesville as Leaf/Carl Dad, Josh Pryor of Clinton as William Barfee, Reilly Heffer of Little Rock as Marcy, Alyssa Burleson of North Little Rock as Olive, Sydnie Walker of Paragould as Rona/Olive’s Mom, Davis Campbell of Batesville as Panch, and Caelon Colbert of Little Rock as Mitch.
The design and production team also includes Brianna Larson, choreographer, Irene Taylor, scenic design), Jeff McLaughlin, technical director, Claire Abernathy, costume design), Caisa Sanburg, lighting design, Kassidy Ratz, assistant choreographer), Hayley Scott, swing and dance captain, Hannah Cummins, assistant lighting designer, Samantha Dunavion, assistant costume designer, Peyton Miller, sound engineer, Griffen Birdsong, master electrician, Laura Martin, stage manager, and Claire Thomas and Hannah Martin, assistant stage managers.
The A-State Box Office, on the lower floor of the First National Bank Arena at the red entrance, may be contacted at (870) 972-ASU1 or AState.edu/Tickets. Tickets are $8 in advance and $10 at the door.
A-State Theatre is the producing arm of the Department of Theatre. The department houses a Bachelor of Arts with emphasis areas in acting, design & technology, directing, generalist, and musical theatre. A-State Theatre produces six plays each year from a variety of playwrights, styles and genres. Classical and contemporary dramas, comedies and musicals, as well as children's theatre production shape the typical A-State Theatre Season.
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