Orono High School is preparing for its upcoming musical production of “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.” This show features six actors portraying adolescents. Spellers soar and stumble through words as the audience learns their stories and discovers why they want to win “the bee.” Performances will take place at 7 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, Nov. 19-21, in the Orono High School cafeteria.

Senior Alex Ferguson, sophomore Jessie Walker, and senior Alyssa Stubbs will lead the cast portraying the three adult roles. Other key roles are Chana Wingard as Olive Ostrovsky, Isaiah Grace as William Barfee, Tia Tardy as Marcy Parks, Anna Fergusson as Logainne Schwarzandgrunenierre, Noam Osher as Leaf Coneybear and Sam Sheppard as Chip Tolentino. The cast is rounded out by a strong ensemble comprising Stephen Nelson, Zivi Osher, Eli McGill, Lydia Bolin, Chase Bruton, Katie O’Brien and Elsa Saunders.

Orono High School faculty member Cami Carter, a musical theatre graduate of New York University, co­directs the show with Daniel Perkins, a first­ year student at the University of Maine, past director at Next Generation Theatre in Brewer and performer at Penobscot Theatre in Bangor. Sara Sheppard, a University of Maine faculty member and drama director for several years, is music director for the show, with tech direction by Elliott Wilcox.

Tickets are $7, available in advance starting Monday, Nov. 2, from any cast or crew member, by calling Orono High School at 866-­4916, ext. 507, or at The Store Ampersand in Orono.

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