Tony award-winning musical to buzz into Ballard

“The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” — a hilarious musical that follows six eccentric contestants as they compete for the ultimate alphabetic achievement — is coming to Seattle this summer.

The Tony award-winning musical has been around the world since its Broadway debut in 2005. And now, The Ballard Underground, 2220 NW Market St., will play host to its Seattle premier from July 14 through Aug. 14.

Photo courtesy Matthew R. Throssell

Two growing Seattle production companies — RK Productions and Contemporary Classics — are working together for the first time to co-present “Spelling Bee.”

Contemporary Classics debuted in 2005 with the Seattle premiere of Andrew Lippa’s, “john & jen,” while RK Productions debuted in 2008 with its production of “Reefer Madness: The Musical,” at venues all over Seattle, including The Ballard Underground.

Both companies strive to bring good theater to Seattle and have been working hard to premiere “Spelling Bee.“

“We’ve been trying to do ‘Spelling Bee’ for about two years,” said Brandon Ivie, artistic director for Contemporary Classics. “The rights were heavily restricted for a long time and when they finally became available we jumped at the opportunity.”

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