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Aspen Community Theatre presents ‘The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee’

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Aspen Community Theatre members take part in a dress rehearsal for "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" on Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024, inside the Black Box Theater at Aspen High School.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times

Aspen Community Theatre (ACT) recalls those sweaty-palm, hold-your-breath spelling bees with its production of “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.” Eight performances — presented for the first time at the Aspen High School Black Box Theater — offer a mix of evening and matinee shows Nov. 1-3 and Nov. 8-10.

As ACT revs up for its 50th anniversary in 2025, it is currently producing a smaller show than normal, with only nine characters: six spellers and three adults. But though this production is smaller, it packs a mighty punch. Since debuting in 2005, the play has charmed audiences nationwide with its fast-paced, witty antics. And, it has earned a Tony Award and a Drama Desk Award for Best Book.

“What makes it timeless is memories for most adults about being a middle schooler — being a kid, life’s highs and lows at that age, how kids think, and how they deal with things that are thrown at them. I think people will relate to the relationships of the children with their parents and with the angst of being a ‘tween,” Director Lynnette Schlepp said. “It is a fun and moving show with plenty of laughs and tugs at the heartstrings.”

And, it’s just plain fun to watch the eclectic group of mid-pubescents — played by adults from across the valley, including Aspen, Basalt, Carbondale, and Glenwood — vying for what seems to be the most important win of their life. But, at least the losers get a juice box.

Schlepp directed the production in a simplistic way, in the sense that the adults who play the spelling bee contestants don’t act like a caricature of a child, but rather, more of their own inner child. And, she threw in a couple references to Aspen, just for fun.


The cast will also ask for three to four volunteers from the audience to try their hand at spelling “to add to the delight of cast and audience members,” she said.

Though ACT has always employed a live orchestra, for this production, it uses recorded, professional tracks. But don’t worry: Live orchestras comprised of musicians from the community will continue to be part of other ACT shows. This was just the perfect show to try something different, she said.

If you go…

What: ‘The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee’
When: 7:30 p.m., Nov. 1, 2, 8 and 9; 2 p.m., Nov. 2, 3, 9 and 10
Where: Aspen High School Black Box Theater
Tickets: Adults, $33.29 with service fee; students under 18, $22.69 with service fee
Note: Rated PG-13 for mature content and mild adult language.
More info: aspencommunitytheatre.org

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