The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, opens Friday

The Coastal Repertory Theatre in Half Moon Bay, California, will feature six-time Tony Award- nominated, “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,” music by William Finn and directed by Michael Lederman. The play opens November 19, 2010.

This comedy, based on Rachel Sheinkin’s book, follows a quirky and charming cast of six adolescent outsiders for whom a Middle School Spelling Bee is the one place they can stand out and fit in at the same time. Contestants learn winning isn’t everything and losing doesn’t necessarily make one a loser.

Dates and show times for “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” are November 19 through December 18, 2010; Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m.; Sunday matinees at 2 p.m.

“This is a side-splittingly funny musical comedy,” says Coastal Repertory Director, Michael Lederman. “It’s a hilarious, heartwarming tale of overachiever adolescents amidst adult ineptitude. Ultimately, the kids’ ‘will’ wins – what could be better?”

The cast includes Patti Appel as Rona Lisa Peretti, Joe Guistino as Vice Principal Douglas Panch, Beth Guido as Olive Ostrovsky, Luke Chapman as William Barfée, Jennifer Gregoire as Logainne SchwartzandGrubenierre, Lisa Claybaugh as Marcy Park, Efrain Lazcano-Ibarra as Leaf Coneybear, and Dominic Falletti as Chip Tolentino.

For more information and to purchase tickets, contact (650) 569-3266, or visit www.coastalrep.com. Coastal Repertory Theatre is located at 1167 Main Street in Half Moon Bay, California.