The musical, conceived by Rebecca Feldman, follows "six young people on the edge of puberty [who] strive to become adults." Their story is told in the context of that most American of competitions, the yearly spelling bee.
At left, castmembers Jesse Tyler Ferguson and Sarah Saltzberg rehearse the show at an open press rehearsal on Dec. 17. Below, Sheinkin, Finn, director James Lapine and Feldman are seen at the Second Stage Rehearsal Hall on West 43rd Street in New York City.
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is currently scheduled to begin previews on Jan. 11, 2005, with an opening on Feb. 7.
Photos are by Aubrey Reuben
