Spelling Bee to Begin Open-Ended Chicago Run in March

The Tony Award-winning musical The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee will begin performances at Chicago’s Drury Lane Theatre Water Tower Place in March 2006. This open-ended run will be produced by David Stone, and will be directed by James Lapine, who won the 2005 Drama Desk Award for his work on the Broadway production. No casting has been announced.

The musical, conceived by Rebecca Feldman, and featuring music and lyrics by William Finn and a book by Rachel Sheinkin, focuses on a group of young overachievers trying to win their local spelling bee. The show was nominated for six Tony Awards, including Best Musical, with Sheinkin and actor Dan Fogler taking home the trophies.

Tickets are currently on sale only for groups of 20 or more by calling 312-977-1710. Additional ticket sales will begin later this month.