The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee

The DAN School of Drama and Music is proud to present the Fall 2026 Major production: The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, directed by Grahame Renyk. This Tony Award-winning musical features a book by Rachel Sheinkin, music and lyrics by William Finn, and is based on an original concept by Rebecca Feldman. 

Enter the Putnam Valley Middle School gymnasium to watch six young contestants compete in the fast-paced 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, alongside three quirky adults overseeing the competition. This production combines comedic and heartwarming moments as characters reveal their personal hardships, insecurities, and pressures that shape their experience at the spelling bee. As the competition progresses, contestants confront their struggles and discover what growing up really means. These vulnerabilities are intertwined with the high-energy and hilarious nature of the show, creating a balance of laughter and heart as the audience gets to know the contestants of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. 

This student-led musical comedy invites audience members onstage with the opportunity to compete alongside the eager spellers of Putnam County. 

A total of 87 students are involved in this production, featuring a full student band, two different student casts, as well as design and production students of Queen’s University. Furthermore, the DAN School Majors provides an opportunity for students from any faculty to participate in their productions. Students in engineering, health science, computing, concurrent education, political science, history, and more, are a part of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.

To purchase tickets, please visit: https://www.showpass.com/the-25th-annual-putnam-county-spelling-bee-2/.

For more information or to arrange interviews with cast or creatives, please contact boxofficedanschool@queensu.ca. 

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.mtishows.com. 

Any video and/or audio recording of this production is strictly prohibited.

Recommended for everyone 10 and up.