The San Francisco run precedes a Chicago sit-down production and a national tour beginning in the fall, confirmed a production spokesperson.

Producer David Stone will present the work with James Lapine (Sunday in the Park with George, Into the Woods) again directing the spellbinding new musical by composer-lyricist William Finn, librettist Rachel Sheinkin and conceiver Rebecca Feldman.

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee pits 10 contestants (six actors, four audience members) against each other in a battle for the championship of the local spelling competition.

David Stone, James L. Nederlander, Barbara Whitman, Patrick Catullo, Barrington Stage Company and Second Stage Theater present the work on Broadway by composer William Finn (Falsettos), librettist Rachel Sheinkin (Striking 12) based on C-R-E-P-U-S-C-U-L-E, a concept play by Rebecca Feldman.

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee earned six Tony Award nominations including Best Score, Best Book, Best Direction, Best Featured Actor (Dan Fogler) and Featured Actress (Celia Keenan-Bolger) as well as for the top prize of Best Musical. Fogler and book writer Sheinkin took home awards for their work. The musical recouped its initial investment of $3.5 million 18 weeks after opening on Broadway.

Tickets to the San Francisco run at The Post Street Theatre, 450 Post Street (between Powell and Mason St.) are available by calling (415) 771-6900 or through www.poststreettheatre.com.

The Broadway in Chicago run at Drury Lane Theatre Water Tower Place, 175 East Chestnut Street are currently available for groups of 20 or more by calling (312) 977 1710 or online at www.broadwayinchicago.com.

For more information on the musical, visit www.spellingbeethemusical.com.