It will be a homecoming for the musical, which was created, workshopped and developed at the Barrington in winter 2004. Spelling Bee, which became a hot ticket at BSC in summer 2004, will again play the Massachusetts venue June 11-July 12, 2008. Opening night is scheduled for June 15.
The Barrington engagement will be a co-production with the North Shore Music Theatre in Beverly, MA. The North Shore will present Spelling Bee Aug. 12-31.
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee features a score by William Finn and a Tony-winning book by Rachel Sheinkin. Rebecca Feldman is credited with the original conception. The musical will play its final performance at Broadway's Circle in the Square Theatre Jan. 20, 2008.
Spelling Bee, according to press notes, "features six young people in the throes of puberty, overseen by grown-ups who barely managed to escape childhood themselves, learning that winning isn't everything and that losing doesn't necessarily make you a loser. At each performance, four audience volunteers are invited onstage to participate in the Bee."
Casting (and a director) for the upcoming Barrington run will be announced at a later date. Barrington Stage is located at 30 Union Street in Pittsfield, MA. For more information visit www.barringtonstageco.org.