Jay Reiss News

A 'W-I-N-N-E-R' (Sarasota Magazine) with audiences and critics alike, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, is a hilarious musical comedy of six young people in the throes of puberty and are overseen by grown-ups who barely managed to escape childhood themselves. Together they learn that winning isn't everything and that losing doesn't necessarily make you a loser. The 2005 Tony Award-Winner for Best Book of a Musical, it played for over 1,000 performances on Broadway and continued to have success across the nation in both touring and regional performances. 'We are thrilled that Florida Studio Theatre's production speaks to Sarasota audiences as it has world-wide. A lovable and humorous insight to the trials and tribulations of growing up...it is the quintessential American story,' stated Artistic Director and Show Director Richard Hopkins.

The competition will continue well into the New Year at Florida Studio Theatre due to popular demand!

La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts and McCoy Rigby Entertainment are t-h-r-i-l-l-e-d to present the third production of La Mirada Theatre's 2009-2010 season of shows, the Tony Award-winning musical THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE, music and lyrics by William Finn, book by Rachel Sheinkin, conceived by Rebecca Feldman, additional material by Jay Reiss, choreography by DJ Gray, musical direction by David O and directed by Jeff Maynard.

Creede Repertory Theatre's 45th Season is sure to be dazzling with these hilarious, critically-acclaimed shows: The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee

Florida Studio Theatre opens the Winter Mainstage Season with the Tony Award-Winning 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.

Florida Studio Theatre opens the Winter Mainstage Season with the Tony Award-Winning 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.

Noble Fool Theatricals, the premier professional theater in the Fox Valley area, announces a calendar-year series for 2010, including the heartfelt family comedy, Over the Tavern, February 4 - March 28, 2010; the Tony Award-Winning musical, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, April 22 - June 13, 2010; the cleverly hilarious who-dun-it, Red Herring, September 2 - October 24, 2010; and concluding with the radio-style retelling of a holiday favorite, It's a Wonderful Life; A Live Radio Play, November 5 - December 26, 2010. This four-show subscription series will be produced by Noble Fool Theatricals and presented at Pheasant Run Resort (4051 E. Main St., St. Charles, IL; telephone 630-584-6342).

FST's 2009-2010 Winter Mainstage Season is composed of Tony Award-winning Broadway hits and the 2009 Pulitzer Prize winning drama.

The Willows Theatre Company proudly presents the D-E-L-I-G-H-T-F-U-L musical comedy The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee at the Willows Cabaret at the Campbell Theatre in Martinez, August 17-September 13.

The Willows Theatre Company proudly presents the D-E-L-I-G-H-T-F-U-L musical comedy The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee at the Willows Cabaret at the Campbell Theatre in Martinez, August 17-September 13.

The Willows Theatre Company proudly presents the D-E-L-I-G-H-T-F-U-L musical comedy The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee at the Willows Cabaret at the Campbell Theatre in Martinez, August 17-September 13.

Stage 13 (Dan Fogler, Sarah Saltzberg, Bjorn Thorstad; artistic directors) and the Midtown International Theatre Festival present the New York Premiere of EXPOSED! The Curious Case of Shiloh and Zahara at The Main Stage Theater for 6 performances only, July 15th -July 30th. Stage 13 will also be hosting a fundraiser at Bar 13 (35 East 13th St.) on Saturday July 11th, which will include drinks, food and entertainment.

Stage 13 (Dan Fogler, Sarah Saltzberg, Bjorn Thorstad; artistic directors) and the Midtown International Theatre Festival present the New York Premiere of EXPOSED! The Curious Case of Shiloh and Zahara at The Main Stage Theater for 6 performances only, July 15th -July 30th. Stage 13 will also be hosting a fundraiser at Bar 13 (35 East 13th St.) on Saturday July 11th, which will include drinks, food and entertainment.

Tony Winner Dan Fogler premiered his directing debut at the Tribeca Film Festival last week. The movie, Hysterical Psycho, is a spoof of cabin in the woods movies, made with his theater group, Stage 13.

Charissa Chamorro, known to soap fans as Tory Granger on 'The Guiding Light' and Sophia Pellegrino on 'One Life to Live,' makes a special appearance in the town of Oakdale as a mysterious woman with clairvoyant powers.

Phoenix Entertainment is pleased to announce that the Tony Award-winning musical comedy THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE, is coming to Grand Rapids' DeVos Performance Hall from April 7-11, 2009 for 7 performances. Tickets are now on sale. SPELLING BEE is directed by James Lapine, the Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize-winner (Sunday in the Park with George, Into the Woods) who also directed the Broadway production. The musical, conceived by Rebecca Feldman, with additional material written by Jay Reiss, features music and lyrics by Tony Award-winner William Finn (Falsettos, Elegies, A New Brain) and a Tony Award-winning book by Rachel Sheinkin. SPELLING BEE features scenic design by Beowulf Boritt, costume design by Jennifer Caprio, lighting design by Charlie Morrison, sound design by Craig Cassidy and choreography by Dan Knechtges.

The Willows Cabaret located at 636 Ward Street, Martinez announced the 2009 season.

DON'T QUIT YOUR NIGHT JOB, the critically acclaimed comedy variety show featuring a revolving cast of Broadway's brightest performing without a net, welcomed the fall at their monthly home The Zipper Factory Theater (336 West 37th Street, between 8th and 9th Avenues) on Thursday, October 30th.

Stage 13 (Dan Fogler, Sarah Saltzberg, Bjorn Thorstad; artistic directors) presents the New York Premiere of THE RISE AND FALL OF ANNIE HALL at the Lion Theatre at Theatre Row for three weeks only, October 24-November 9.

Stage 13 (Artistic Directors: Dan Fogler, Sarah Saltzberg, Bjorn Thorstad) hosted a party this Monday, October 20 at 8:00PM at Bar 13 (35 East 13th St) to benefit their fall production, the New York Premiere of The Rise and Fall of Annie Hall by Sam Foreman. The benefit included 2-for-1 drinks, raffle prizes (including tickets to August: Osage County, dress rehearsal tickets to 'Saturday Night Live,' and tickets to Don't Quit Your Night Job).