'Spelling Bee' is e-n-t-e-r-t-a-i-n-i-n-g

Wild Horse Theater Company will present the Tony Award-winning musical comedy "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee," opening at 8 p.m. Friday on stage at the Children's Museum of Northern Nevada at 813 N. Carson St.

The popular Broadway play recently finished it's road tour and became available to local theater groups. Wild Horse is among the first in Nevada to bring it the stage.

"It's a brilliant exploration of adolescent behavior as seen through the eyes of adults," said director Jeffrey Scott, who has been following the Broadway buzz for the play. "I fell in love with the story line and the characters. The characters are so wonderful. There's something in it for everyone."

It also provided "a cast full of leads," he said of the opportunity to produce an ensemble play.

"The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" is a funny, tender and nostalgic look at a county spelling bee with all the usual caste of characters in the throes of puberty. The reigning spelling champion, to the hyper do-gooder with a lisp, the nerdy kid with a host of health problems, and the second alternate who never expected to compete all unite through their love of spelling.

The life lesson of the play, Scott said, is that "winning isn't everything and losing doesn't make you a loser."

The cast of "Spelling Bee" features some of the best actors in the region, including Robin Kato (Marcy Park), Chris Willson (William Barfee), Rod Hearn (Leaf Coneybear), Leoney Berg (Mitch Mahoney), James McDuffie (Chip Tolentino), Maggie Jesse (Logainne Schwartzandgrubenierre), Dezi Davis (Olive Ostrovsky), Marcia Bateman (Rona Lisa Perretti), and Tom Strekal (Vice-Principal Douglas Panch).

"Spelling Bee" is rated PG-13 and is recommended for theater goers 13 and over for its adult content.

"The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" has music and lyrics by William Finn, a book by Rachel Sheinkin, conception by Rebecca Feldman, and original direction by James Lapine. Wild Horse Theater Company's production is directed by Jeffrey Scott, choreographed by Robin Kato, and vocal direction by Alan Catron.

Performances are 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and April 16-17, 23-24; and 4 p.m. April 18 .

Tickets for $18 for general audiences and $15 for seniors and students. They are available online at www.wildhorsetheater.com or call 775-887-0438.