“THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE”

music & lyrics by William Finn
book by Rathel Sheinkin conceived by Rebecca Feldman
directed by HTC’s Tim Scott

Performed at Heidelberg Theatre, 36 Turnham Ave, Rosanna, Melbourne from 14 November – 29 November 2025

From the team that brought you our 2023 sell-out Ladies in Black, comes a quirky musical about an eclectic group of adolescents (played by grown-up actors) who compete to become Spelling Champion, meanwhile telling stories of their family and background through song.

Nominated for six Tony Awards and winner of two, this funny and touching show charms audiences with its wit and humour, its fast pace and vibrant score. There’s even a dose of audience participation!

(Text by Chris McLean – Heidelberg Theatre Company)

CAST:
Character…………………. Actor
Chip Tolentino ………………Jackson Howe
Logainne Schwartzandgrubenniere …………………..Llaaneath Poor
Leaf Coneybear ………………..Tyson Legg
William Barfee ………………Wayne Gleeson
Marcy Park …………………….Hillary Aramze
Olive Ostrovsky ………………Rachel Rai
Rona Lisa Perretti …………………..Rafaela Cleeve Gerkens
Vice Principle Douglas Panch ………………..Damian Calvert
Mitch Mahoney ………………Tim Murphy
Olive’s Dad & Dan Dad ………………Chris Isaac
Carl Dad, Jesus, Leaf’s Dad…………………….Matt Todd

PRODUCTION TEAM:
Director………………………….Tim Scott
Production Co-ordination…Gayle Poor
Musical Director……………….John Clancy
Choreographer……………….Jenny Vincent-Green
Stage Manager……………….Melanie Belcher
Assist Stage Manager & Prompts……Bobbie Parish
Set Design……………………..Brenton Staples
Lighting Design………………Deryk Hartwick
Sound Design…………………John Rowe

HTC’s SUPPORT TEAMS:
Costumes………………………Wendy Drowley, Catherine Christensen, Jenny Gilbert
Properties………………………Jim Thompson, Wendy Drowley, Catherine Christensen
Set Painting……………………Mal Cother, Anne Woodward, Pam Neivandt
Set Construction…………..Owen Evans and Doug McNaughton, Phil Holmes, Dave Belton, Brett Hunt, Tim Scott, Noel Purdey, Ashley Deans, Alex Deans, Nick Bartholomew, Blake Egan, Sean Tessari, Ron Thomas, Norm Munks, Chris McLean & HTC members
Photography…………………David Belton & Aislinn Ryan
Program & Poster………….Chris McLean
Publicity………………………Jim Thompson, Morgan Thomas-Connor
Box Office……………………Sally Scott, Carol Farr, Louise Millar-Hoffman, Brett Hunt, Fiona Campbell, Margaret Hassall
Front of House……………..Jenny Gilbert and HTC members

Follow the links below to view photos of HTC’s production of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee

(Images by Dave Belton)

25 Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee – Final Dress→

25 Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee – Rehearsal→

25 Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee – Cast & Director→

Heidelberg Theatre Web Site →

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These photographic works and linked galleries by David Belton are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.