Music & Lyrics by William Finn
Book by Rachel Scheinkin
Conceived by Rebecca Feldman
Additional material by Jay ReissThis Tony Award-winning show is the unlikeliest of hit musicals about the unlikeliest of heroes: a quirky yet charming cast of outsiders for whom a spelling bee is the one place where they can stand out and fit in at the same time. At first blush, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee seems like a lighthearted spoof about nine students competing for the title of spelling bee champion. Look beneath the surface, however, and you’ll see the pains and heartaches today’s students experience as they strive for academic success.

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This activity is made possible in part by a grant provided by the Minnesota State Arts Board, through an appropriation by the Minnesota State Legislature from the Minnesota arts and cultural heritage fund with money from the vote of the people of Minnesota on November 4, 2008. Theater Latte Da is also supported by the Arts Learning Xchange, a program funded by the Wallace Foundation and managed by Arts Midwest in collaboration with Minnesota Community Foundation.

Theater Latté Da presents

Now – October 30, 2011

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A Community Partnership with
Ordway Center, McKnight Theatre
345 Washington Street N
St. Paul, MN 55102
651.224.4222
Ordway.org

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Family-friendly performances Sundays at 2 p.m.
Anything goes the rest of the week: Wednesdays – Saturdays at 7:30 p.m.

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It’s not too late to subscribe! We are holding prime seats for each performance for our season subscribers. Contact Abby at abby@latteda.org or 612-339-3003 to learn more about Theater Latté Da’s 2011-2012 season subscription packages.

Tickets to just Spelling Bee are on sale now. Call the Ordway Center box office, click on the link above, or stop by the Ordway Center box office to purchase tickets.

Directions

FROM THE NORTH: I-35E
Heading south on 35E, take the Wacouta Street / 10th Street exit. Take a slight LEFT at North Wacouta Street. Turn RIGHT onto 7th Street East. Turn LEFT onto West 5th Street. Take the 1st RIGHT onto North Washington Street. The Ordway will be on your right.

FROM THE WEST: I-94
Heading east on 94, take the West 5th Street exit (241B). Turn RIGHT onto North Washington Street. The Ordway will be on your right.

FROM THE SOUTH: I-35E
Heading north on 35E, take the Kellogg Boulevard exit (106B). Turn RIGHT onto Kellogg Boulevard. Turn LEFT onto 7th Street West / Fort Road. Take the 1st RIGHT onto North Washington Street. The Ordway will be on your right.

FROM THE EAST: I-94
Heading west on 94, take exit 242D on the LEFT to merge onto East 6th Street. Turn RIGHT onto West 6th Street. Turn LEFT onto North Washington Street. The Ordway will be on your right.

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Parking

Ordway Center is located at 345 Washington Street in downtown Saint Paul directly across from Rice Park. There are numerous parking ramps within easy walking distance. The closest ramps are The St. Paul, RiverCentre, Lawson Commons, Kellogg Street Ramp, and Landmark Towers. There is no direct skyway connection to Ordway, but if you are coming through the River Centre you can get very close to Ordway’s front door.

Convenient pre-paid parking spaces are available in the Plaza Lot on the corner of 7th and 5th Streets (enter on 5th) for patrons attending any evening or weekend Ordway performance. These spaces are $17.50 per vehicle. Call 651.224.4222 or stop by the Ordway Box Office to purchase a parking pass. They are subject to availability.

More detailed information about parking in Saint Paul can be found at www.smart-trips.org. Call the Ordway Box Office at 651.224.4222 for further parking suggestions, directions, and information on construction and street closures.

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Bus Stops

Metro Transit also serves the area with several buses stopping nearby. Routes 64, 70, 361 stop at Washington Street & 5th Street. For more information in planning your trip, visit the MetroTransit website.

“You don’t have to grade on a curve to give Theater Latté Da’s production of ‘The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee’ an ‘A.’”
~ Dominic Papatola, Pioneer Press“Theater Latté Da finds the charming heart of a musical that gently celebrates a competition in which striving outsiders get their day in the sun.”
~ by Graydon Royce, Star Tribune

“The songs are endearing . . . The actors/singers are really stunning . . . The dance numbers were amusing and entertaining . . . [and] the audience participation was one of the best parts of the show.”
~ by Leora Itman, TCJewfolk.com

“As a fast-paced, funny entertainment, ‘The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee’ succeeds. As a look into our young lives – and the doubts we always carry about ourselves and our relationships – it triumphs.”
~ by Ed Huyck, City Pages

“Latté Da’s production of [Spelling Bee] is practically perfect in every way.”
~ by Jill Schafer, Cherry and Spoon blog

Spelling Bee In Process Video Series

Click here or the image above to go Behind the Scenes at Spelling Bee in our video series!

The Ordway offers many accessibility services to patrons. When ordering tickets, please notify the Ticket Office of any special accommodations you may be interested in during your experience at the Ordway.

Wheelchairs
Wheelchair accessible seating is available in all price ranges. When ordering tickets, please indicate any special needs you or other patrons in your party may have.

For the Visually and Hearing Impaired
For the hearing impaired, the Ordway is equipped with an infrared listening system. Listening devices are available at Patron Services for all performances at no charge. Please see an usher when you arrive.

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee will be ASL interpreted and audio described on Thursday, October 20, 7:30 p.m.

Family Accessible Restroom
Ordway offers a family accessible restroom on the main floor near the main entrance.

Assistance Animals
Please inform the Ticket Office if you will be attending with an assistance animal so that the best accommodations can be provided for your companion.