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Blackburn College Presents Tony Award Winning Musical With Students and Community Actors

CARLINVILLE, IL—Blackburn College’s Performing Arts Department faculty members David S. Sollish (Theatre) and Dr. Elizabeth W. Zobel (Music) are proud to announce the Spring musical for 2010:
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. With music and lyrics by William Finn and book by Rachel Sheinkin, this riotous musical comedy will come alive in Bothwell Auditorium on April 9, 10, 16, and 17 at 7:30PM and on April 17 and 18 at 2:00PM.

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is a hilarious tale of overachievers' angst -- tender and sardonic -- chronicles the experience of six adolescent outsiders vying for the spelling championship of a lifetime. New Theater professor Sollish directs with musical direction by Zobel, and choreography by adjunct dance professor Mary Ann Harp and student Ashley Deibert. Local resident Kelly Taylor-Wilson is the Assistant Director.

Charles Isherwood of the New York Times called it "irresistible and entirely lovable," praising William Finn's "nimble, upbeat score," Rachel Sheinkin's "riotously funny" book and James Lapine's "impeccable" direction. Terry Teachout in the Wall Street Journal called the show "the best in town - that rarity of rarities, a super-smart show that is also a bona fide crowd-pleaser." David Rooney of Variety stated that, "this winning new musical is so generously warm-heated, only the most bitter misanthrope could resist its charms." Michael Sommers of the Star-Ledger called it "a nifty musical gift," and Linda Winer of Newsday deemed it "endearingly deranged." Michael Kuchwara of the Associated Press simply asked, "How do you spell h-i-t?"

Continuing a new tradition to further strengthen the ties between college and community, Blackburn has opened up its stage to actors from the greater Carlinville area. This combination of Blackburn students and local artists will bring diversity and depth to the Bothwell stage. Leading the cast are Blackburn Students Katie Palsen (Carlinville) as Olive Ostrovsky, Reginald Guyton (Ford Heights, IL) as William Barfee, Kristen Kichinko (Carrollton, GA)as Logainne Schwartzandgrubienniere, Owen Meredith as Leaf Coneybear, Sarah Geisler-Henderson (Gillespie) as Marcy Park, and Katie Finch (Mundelein, IL) as Midge Mahoney. Local residents Lori Palsen (Carlinville), Dan St. Onge (Carlinville), and Alex Easton (Gillespie) are featured as Rona Lisa Perretti, Vice Principal Douglas Panch, and Chip Talentino, respectively.

Rounding out the cast are Blackburn Students Adrienne Stockley (Alton, IL), Amanda Orzechowski (Midlothian, IL), David Orzechowski (Midlothian, IL), Jessica Marcotte, Adam Hamilton (Raymond, IL), Jeanette Wallace, Abigail Schultz (Phoenix, AZ), Taryn Chester and local residents Keri Austin (Girard, IL), Jessica Clements (Modesto), Sarah Dewitt (Modesto), Ezekiel Gray (Carlinville),
Ruth Anne Meredith (Carlinville).

Admission is free to Blackburn students, faculty, and staff (with ID) and tickets for the public are $6 for adults and $2 for children 12 and under. Please note that some subject matter may not be suitable for small children; parental guidance is suggested.  For more information on the show, please contact Professor David Sollish at david.sollish@blackburn.edu or 217-854-3231 extension 4310.