(MIDDLETOWN, NJ) -- The MAC Players at the Middletown Arts Center presents The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee across three weekends from February 27 to March 8, 2026. The hit play is about an eclectic group of six mid-pubescents vie for the spelling championship of a lifetime. Fawn Nocera Photography was on hand to take photos.
While candidly disclosing hilarious and touching stories from their home lives, the tweens spell their way through a series of (potentially made-up) words, hoping never to hear the soul-crushing, pout-inducing, life un-affirming “ding” of the bell that signals a spelling mistake. Six spellers enter; one speller leaves a champion! At least the losers get a juice box.
Winner of the Tony and the Drama Desk Awards for Best Book, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee has charmed audiences across the country with its effortless wit and humor. The play is PG 13 rated for adult language and humor, with a book by Rachel Sheinkin, music and lyrics by William Finn and additional material by Jay Reiss, based on a concept by Rebecca Feldman.
The cast includes Julian Alejandro Baro (William Barfée), Rach Phelan (Olive Ostrovsky), Zoe Seitz (Logainne Schwartzandgrubenierre, “Schwartzy”), Gloria Licona Klein (Marcy Park), Arron Little (Leaf Coneybear), Charles Thomas Hughes (Chip Tolentino), Clint Gilfillan (Douglas Panch), Cate Pasterchick (Rona Lisa Peretti), and Zachary Conner (Mitch Mahoney).
Performances take place Friday and Saturday nights at 7:00pm; Sunday matinees at 2:00pm. Tickets are available for purchase online. The Middletown Arts Center is located at 36 Church Street in Middletown, New Jersey. The play is PG 13 rated for adult language and humor.
“BEE” A PART OF THE SHOW! - Audience members have the opportunity to participate as guest spellers in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. First purchase a ticket and indicate you’d like to join the production. Participants will be selected at random. A limited number of volunteers will be selected to join the cast onstage for this interactive and delightfully unpredictable experience.
The production team includes Director Kate Cordaro, Musical Director Nick Jupinka, and Choreographer Samantha Amaral.
Here are more photos from the production.
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.
The Middletown Arts Center (MAC) is an award-winning, state-of-the-art facility in Middletown, New Jersey that offers performances, exhibits, classes, demonstrations and camps centering on the arts. Its convenient location across from the Middletown train station on Church Street enables easy access and its expanded MAC Annex is minutes away at the Middletown Reformed Church’s Education Building. The MAC is operated by a non-profit 501c3, the Middletown Township Cultural and Arts Council which is dedicated to bringing quality arts programming and events to Middletown and surrounding communities.
ALL PHOTOS BY Fawn Nocera Photography
