The county’s best spellers: JHS winter musical ‘The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee’ here next weekend

Next weekend a cast of Jamestown High School students will put on a musical comedy about something nearly every student has gone through — a spelling bee.

“The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” features six students from various backgrounds competing for a chance for the trip to the national spelling bee in Washington, D.C.

“Sometimes along with being high academic achievers goes the stereotype of being geeks, nerds or social misfits, and that’s what the show is about,” said Mike McIntyre, one of the show’s three directors.

He is directing along with his wife Cheryl and their son Tony.

It’s been a number of years since Jamestown High School has put on a winter musical. Mike said the Arts Center in Jamestown is hosting the show and made the production a possibility.

“Every so often Cheryl has made possible an opportunity for us to present smaller musicals,” Mike said.

In this musical he compared characters in the cast to members of the hit TV show “Big Bang Theory.”

“Bright, young people all unusual in their own ways,” he said.

The cast is made up of Kara Fix, Declan O’Higgins, Chandler Hertz, Jana Lynch, Tom Mortenson, Brittany McIntyre, Hunter Carpenter, Brittney Carpenter, Shane Chandler, Erika Hermanson and Mary Joy.

Cheryl will play the piano and JHS student Cole Musland is playing percussion.

“Auditions were announced at the high school and we ended up with virtually the very number we needed in the show,” Mike said, “and all of these students have worked with us in the summer programs before — terrific singers and fine young actors.”

The McIntyres have some history with spelling bees. Matthew, the only McIntyre not involved in the show, won the state spelling bee six years ago and the trip to Washington, D.C.

The audience will also get a chance to participate in “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.”

“One of the great features of the show is besides the cast members there will be four audience members who get to come on stage and be part of the bee as well,” Mike said. “There are some improvisational things in this show that make it a riot — so people can come to stage and try their spelling skills.”

But there is one catch for those brave enough to take the stage.

“We can’t promise anybody a trip to Washington, though,” Mike said.

The show is at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 28, and Friday, March 1, at the Arts Center. Tickets are available at the door and are first-come, first-serve. Tickets are $7 for adults and $5 for Arts Center members and students.

Sun reporter Ben Rodgers can be reached at 701-952-8455 or by email at brodgers@jamestownsun.com

Tags: diversions, performances