For Immediate Release: Feb. 10, 2011

BLOOMSBURG — The Bloomsburg University Players will present the musical comedy, "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee," Thursday to Saturday, Feb. 17 to 19, at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Feb. 20, at 3 p.m. in the Alvina Krause Theatre, 226 Center St., Bloomsburg. Tickets are $12 for adults, $8 for senior citizens and non-BU students and $2 with a BU student ID.

The play is a one-act musical comedy about a spelling bee for young children written by Rebecca Felman. During the performance, four audience members are invited on stage to compete in the spelling bee along with six young characters.

"At first glance, this show is simply about kids participating in a spelling bee," said Julie Petry, the show's director and assistant professor of music, theatre and dance at BU. "The energetic songs and dances help to keep the humor and wit of this piece unfolding, and the pace feels alive and buzzing. However, as the event reveals itself, we come to see this piece shows us that every human heart still has its growing to do, despite the common desire to appear bright, shiny, secure and polished on the surface."

The cast includes 10 student actors: Jaryn Wilcox, Canton; Rachel DelVecchio, Bethlehem; Gabriella Russo, Effort; Zach Presswood, Bloomsburg; Greg Hoagland, New Tripoli; Janine Liesner, Richboro; Lauren Shover, Camp Hill; Richard Nazzaro, Mount Bethel; Marc O'Broin, Glenview, Ill.; and Robert Pellechio, East Norriton.

For more information or to order tickets, contact the Haas Center Box Office at (570) 389-4340.

Bloomsburg University is one of 14 universities in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education. The university serves approximately 9,000 students, offering comprehensive programs of study in the colleges of Education, Business, Liberal Arts and Science and Technology.
Business, Liberal Arts and Science and Technology.