MVT today announced five added performances of the Tony Award-winning musical, “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.” The original run was slated for July 1 to 19; added performances are Wednesday through Sunday, July 22 to 26.

Showtimes are Wednesdays and Thursdays at 7:30 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 4 p.m. Tickets are $35. Seniors and military are admitted for $30; patrons 25 and under for $20. Recommended minimum age is 10. Call 988-6131 or purchase tickets at manoavalleytheatre.com. Tickets are also available at all military ticket outlets.
“The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” chronicles the trials and tribulations of six young spelling whizzes in the throes of puberty, overseen by grown-ups who barely managed to escape childhood themselves, as they learn that winning isn’t everything and that losing doesn’t necessarily make you a loser.
This show offers audience members the (strictly voluntary) opportunity to become part of the action as on-stage spellers. MVT is making the most of its flexible black-box space by reconfiguring the theater into cabaret seating and designing the entire house to resemble a high school gymnatorium. Wait staff dressed as cheerleaders will provide beverage service in-house, and audience members will be invited to purchase $5 sack lunches courtesy of the Lunch Lady (actor Braddoc DeCaires).
The cast are Joel Libed as Chip Tolentino, Michael Reyes as William Barfee, Ivy Hays as Olive Ostrovsky, Stephanie Farnum as Logainne Schwartzandgrubenierre, Kimo Kaona as Leaf Coneybear, Jennifer Oyama Harris as Marcy Park, Andrea Clark as Rona Lisa Peretti, Larry Bialock as Vice Principal Douglas Panch, and Jack Galliano as Mitch Mahoney.
The play is guest directed by Linda Johnson. Guest musical director is Kenji Higashihama, set design is by MJ Matsushita, lighting design is by Janine Myers, sound design is by Jason Taglianetti, hair and makeup design is by Greg Howell, and props design is by Sara Ward.
Show sponsors are ABC Stores, Servco Foundation, Carolyn Berry, City Mill, Core Group One and Lindemann Construction. Season Sponsors are Richard Aadland Trust, AIG Hawaii, Cades Schutte and The Cades Foundation, Commercial Data Systems, Hawaii Performing Arts Foundation, Hawaiian Airlines, The Honolulu Advertiser, Honolulu Star-Bulletin, Iolani School, KITV 4 - Island Television, Oceanic Time Warner Cable, and Straub Clinic & Hospital.
This project is supported by funding through the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts, and through appropriations from the Hawaii State Legislature (and by the National Endowment for the Arts).