dolescence. A-D-O-L-E-S-C-E-N-C-E. Adolescence. For some middle school students who are going through adolescence, winning the school spelling bee is a dream. This particular dream is shared by six middle-schoolers who have qualified for the 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee by winning or placing at each of their school’s spelling bees. These soon-to-be-teenagers are motivated by their own reasons to win the Putnam County Spelling Bee, but there can only be one winner. As spellers are eliminated throughout the Bee, they find their own progress, realizing that winning is not everything.

The Elizabethtown College fine and performing arts department presents the musical, “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.” Director of Theatre and Dance and Associate Professor of Theatre Michael Swanson is the director of the musical. Swanson is also a member of the play selection committee, which consists of three faculty members and two theatre students, who collaboratively chose this musical for production. “We chose this play because it was our year to stage a musical, which we produce every other year, and because this musical was a favorite of most committee members due to its great story, lively comedy, hummable music and its interaction with audience members,” Swanson said.

The competition is held in the Putnam County High School gymnasium. The judges are Rona Lisa Peretti and Vice Principal Douglas Panch, played by sophomore Taylor Luckenbill and first-year Tom White, respectively. Rona is a former Bee champion who returns to the Bee after becoming a successful realtor. Vice Principal Panch is interested in Rona, but Rona does not return the feelings. Their table is to the left of the gymnasium, while bleachers for the spellers are located to the right.

As the spellers enter, they receive their numbers and take their seats. Four audience members also become spellers, receive numbers and take their seats on the bleachers. Students’ names are called and the competition begins.

One of the Bee’s participants is Chip Tolentino, played by junior Mike Wawrzynek. Chip is at the Bee to defend his title from last year. However, when his name is called to spell his word, he is distracted by another speller’s attractive sister in the audience, falling victim to his male adolescent development.

Fortunately, Mitch Mahoney, played by senior Kyle Kovatch, is there to be the Official Comfort Counselor. As an ex-convict, Mitch is completing his community service at the Bee. He is there with a hug and a juice box for the eliminated contestants. At first he is grumpy and unenthusiastic, but he eventually learns to appreciate the Bee.

The next speller to be eliminated is Leaf Coneybear, played by senior Eric Capece. Leaf is homeschooled and comes from a large family who often tease him that he is not smart. Although initially discouraged, he leaves the Bee with his head held high, knowing that he has proven that he truly is smart.

Marcy Park is the girl to beat at this year’s Bee. She has recently transferred to the area and she can do just about anything, including speaking six languages. Marcy, played by first-year Kara Bauer, is pushed to succeed in everything, and therefore, she is expected to win the Bee. “Marcy is the ‘perfect child’ but she really dislikes the fact that she is constantly winning everything,” Bauer said.

Logainne Schwartzandgrubenniere, another Bee participant, is played by first-year Kari Kurjiaka. Logainne is the youngest and most politically-aware speller. Her overbearing fathers pressure her to win at all costs, but Logainne is satisfied with trying her best.

The remaining two characters are Olive Ostrovsky and William Barfée, played by sophomore Theresa Forcellini and first-year Luke Smith, respectively. These two spellers develop a mutual crush during the Bee and become good friends. Olive’s parents are not able to make the Bee, and this pulls at her emotions throughout the competition. “She’s on the quiet side and sympathetic, but enthusiastic when it comes to her passions,” Forcellini said. She finds comfort in knowing that she has found a friend in William. William uses an unusual technique to help him spell that he calls the “magic foot.”

Throughout the Putnam County Spelling Bee, each of the spellers endures his or her own development in the sometimes awkward time of adolescence. The Etown students involved in the musical consistently demonstrate their enthusiasm and passion throughout the performances.

“It’s always a lot of fun to step outside of my own persona and become someone else for a bit,” Smith said.

The musical often takes audience members back to their adolescence and middle school years. “It’s also a play with quirky characters played well by a unique group of actors, and I believe that those individual performances will be remembered by audiences,” Swanson said.

Upcoming performances of the musical are scheduled for April 18 and 19 at 8 p.m. and April 21 at 2 p.m. in Tempest Theatre.