Photo courtesy of Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the Arts
The Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the Arts will delight audiences with its production of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, March 20-23, 2025. This fun musical comedy tells the heartfelt tale of six awkward spelling champions who learn that winning (and losing) isn’t everything.
BETHLEHEM, PA —The Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the Arts (Charter Arts) will delight audiences with its production of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Music & Lyrics by William Finn, Book By Rachel Sheinkin, Conceived by Rebecca Feldman, March 20-23, 2025. The show is presented by the school’s production arts department in collaboration with the theatre, vocal, and instrumental music departments.
This fun musical comedy follows a group of middle school students as they compete in the title championship, spelling their way through outrageously complex vocabulary while coming to terms with the stress of competition and their own personal challenges. In the end, even the most desperate kids are comforted by the possibility of finding a friend who shares in both the pressure and love of competitive spelling.
This production features a talented cast of young actors with lead roles played by: Alex Androu, Fiona Clifford-Fotopoulos, Jadaline Fontanez, Simon Garfias, Rosie Grellet, Isavel Mendoza, Andi Schubert, and Kamai Williams.
The show is directed by Diane Wagner with music direction by Erica Dickson, technical direction by Ellen Schmoyer and choreography by Anelise Rodriguez. The pit orchestra is conducted by Thomas Maher.
Wagner shares: “From my perspective, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is a perfect musical. The book offers a brilliant blend of humor and heart, and the music follows suit with lively, hilarious numbers like Magic Foot juxtaposed with the deep yearning of I Love You. It’s been a true joy working on this show with our students. We look forward to sharing it so that others can experience that same feeling.”
This production is produced by Brett Mathews with set and lighting design by Ellen Schmoyer, costume design by Amy Handkammer, and sound design by Carlo Acerra. The assistant music director is Malāna Wilson and the stage manager is Destiny Williams.
Evening performances on March 20-22 at 7 PM. Matinee performances on March 23 at 2 PM. Tickets are $12-$17 and are available for purchase online at CharterArts.org.
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI.
ABOUT THE LEHIGH VALLEY CHARTER HIGH SCHOOL FOR THE ARTS (Charter Arts):
Charter Arts is an audition-based public charter school that provides a comprehensive curriculum for high school students, grades 9-12, who have a dedicated passion for the creative or performing arts. Students major in one of seven artistic areas: dance, instrumental music, literary arts, production arts (film & technical theatre), theatre, visual arts, or vocal music.
Charter Arts’ rigorous curriculum fosters both academic and artistic excellence for its students. The school’s impressive Future Ready PA Index ranking, Advanced Placement (AP) exam statistics, Keystone Exam statistics, SAT scores, prestigious artistic accolades, and graduation rate, are testaments to the outstanding education that Charter Arts provides.
Charter Arts was ranked #1 Best Public High School Teachers in PA and #1 Best Charter High School in PA on Niche’s 2024 Best Schools in America Rankings. In addition, Charter Arts was one of only four Lehigh Valley schools to earn a spot on U.S. News & World Report’s Top 100 Public High Schools in PA (2025 Best Schools Rankings).
Audition appointments for the 2025-2026 school year are being scheduled now. Prospective students/families can learn more or sign up for an Information Session at www.CharterArts.org.
Charter Arts is located at 321 East 3rd Street, Bethlehem PA 18015.
