The Nevada Conservatory Theatre presents The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee -- written by Rachel Sheinkin and music by William Finn -- May 1-10 in the Judy Bayley Theatre. Tim Bennett directs. Chris Lash is musical director.

An eclectic group of six vie for the spelling championship of a lifetime. While candidly disclosing hilarious and touching stories from their home life, the teens spell their way through a series of words hoping to never hear the soul-crushing, pout-inducing, life-unaffirming "ding" of the bell that signals a spelling mistake. Six spellers enter, one speller leaves. At least the losers get a juice box.

About the Director

Bennett has enjoyed a career in the professional theater for more than 30 years, both in the U.S. and around the world. He has worked with such diverse groups as the Boston Pops and the Radio City Rockettes, and in such celebrated performance venues as The Frankfurt Opera House, Tanglewood and The Las Vegas Strip. Starting his career as an actor, dancer, and singer, Bennett quickly found roles in everything from national and international tours (Steel Pier, Phantom opposite Kristin Chenoweth, South Pacific with Robert Goulet, My Fair Lady with Richard Chamberlain) and Emmy Award-winning primetime television (Growing Pains) to feature films, commercials, Off-Broadway and daytime drama. Today, he works primarily as a director and choreographer. He enjoys helming a wide variety of theatrical productions. Bennett also was the resident director of Disney's production of The Lion King in Las Vegas.

Cast

The cast includes Jesse Bourque as William Morris Barfee; Jassen Allen Cropp as Mitch Mahoney; Equity Actor Sam Cordes as Leaf Coneybear; Madison Kisst as Logainne "Schwarzy" Schwartzandgrubenniere; Kirstin Maki as Marcy Park; Equity Actor Wesley Mann as Vice Principal Douglas Panch; Brian Miller as Charlito "Chip" Tolentino; Equity Actor Niki Scalera as Rona Lisa Peretti; and Sydney Story as Olive Ostrovsky.

The production and design team includes scenic designer Ian Mangum, lighting designer Manuel Ramirez, sound designer and engineer Jimin Kwon, costumer designer Cheyenne Hamberg, technical director Brian Smallwood, and production stage manager Jade Cagalawan.

Tickets

Show times are at 8 p.m. on May 1-2 and 7-9; and at 2 p.m. on May 3 and 10. Tickets are $20-30 general admission, and $10 for UNLV students. For tickets or additional information, visit the Performing Arts Center website or call 702-895-ARTS (2787).