Scottsdale Community College’s production of, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee delivers laughs, heart, and nostalgia.

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, a musical comedy with music and lyrics by William Finn, from a book written by Rachel Sheinkin, conceived by Rebecca Feldman and with additional material by Jay Reiss, centers on a fictional spelling bee set in a geographically ambiguous Putnam Valley Middle School.

Last Saturday, as the lights dimmed and the audience settled into their seats and moments later a mix of amusement and hardy laughter filled the air as quirky characters and catchy tunes held the audience at Scottsdale Community College’s performing arts theatre. 

The production is an exploration of the pressure filled world of competitive spelling and presents six eccentric middle schoolers competing in a spelling contest while navigating personal challenges that come with adolescence. The show blends humor, vulnerability, and charm from beginning to end. 

One of the most striking aspects of the production was the undeniable connection between the cast members. For many of the more seasoned actors the small size of the cast created a unique opportunity and a special bond that was apparent. 

One cast member, Abbey Sepiol, who played the character Logainne Schwartzy, told Northeast Valley News, “The relationships I was able to build, most casts are big so you don’t get to be close to everybody and since this cast was a lot smaller and a lot more intimate, we were able to connect easier and I don’t think I ever been this close to them.”  

The camaraderie translated directly into their performances. It had a realness through the special friendships created and bonded during adolescence that resonated with the audience. 

The cast also interacts with the audience even bringing some volunteers up on stage while being instructed to spell exotic words which had the crowd laughing as most struggled and then failed to spell.  

The set was bright, with bold colors that match the tones of the show. Lighting played a huge role in shaping the mood, shifting effortlessly to reflect the emotions of each scene — bright and cheerful during the goofy, comedic moments, and softer or more dramatic during the show’s surprisingly sympathetic ones.  

Sepiol wanted to encourage others to get involved in theatre, “Do it, do it! it’s not as scary as it seems, so many people are like ‘I have stage fright’ and I seriously get it before I go on stage, I feel like I’m going to vomit every single time— but then once you go on and receive that reaction from the audience and everything it’s such a fulfilling thing to do.”

Abbey’s words remind those thinking about joining a production that even veteran performers like her feel nervous before stepping onto stage, yet the reward of connecting with an audience makes it all worthwhile. 

Tickets for the performances can be found at: bit.ly/scc-musical-theatre

The doors for the lobby will open an hour before the show at the Scottsdale Performing Arts Center 9000 E. Chaparral Rd. Scottsdale. House seating will take place a half hour before the event begins. The event is general seating. If you need accessibility seating, please contact the box office to reserve.

Contact the box office at (480) 423-6356 for further inquiries.
Maddie Natoli: madison.natoli@scottsdalecc.edu