For the past several months, New Milford High School students have been hard at work learning lines and building sets in time for Thursday's opening night of the spring musical "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee."

And the production will feature several "guest spellers" will include Police Chief Frank Pappapietro (March 21), Mayor Ann Subrizi and HS Principal Eric Sheninger (March 22), Superintendent Michal Polizzi and Principals from DEO Middle School, Berkley School and Gibbs School (March 23).

"The cast and crew has been working really hard," crew member Michelle Khimishman said. "All of last week everyone was here till 10pm. This has been a great opportunity for the cast to work with Rob McClure. It's a great show and we have such a talented group of students."

McClure, who graduated NMHS in 2000, went on to star as Chaplin On Broadway but has continually returned to his alma mater to assist in the annual productions. 

"Spelling Bee" follows a quirky cast of outsiders for whom a spelling bee is the one place where they can stand out and fit in at the same time. The show  also offers interactive fun, giving audience members the opportunity (strictly voluntary) to become part of the action as on-stage spellers.

Meet Chip Tolentino, a cocky Boy Scout and champion of the 24^th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, returning to defend his title; Leaf Coneybear, a gentle soul and unlikely contestant who was second-runner up at his regional spelling bee; William Morris Barfée, whose untimely allergic reaction to peanuts knocked him from last year’s Bee; Logainne Schwartzandgrubenierre, a perky young liberal with two competitive dads; Olive Ostrovsky, a lonely young newcomer to competitive spelling who made friends with her dictionary at an early age; and Marcy Park, a sleep-deprived Catholic School overachiever who speaks six languages and is tired of always winning.  

Chaperoning these young contestants are former Putnam County Spelling Bee winner and returning moderator of the Bee, Rona Lisa Perretti; Vice Principal Douglas Panch, who returns after a five-year hiatus to serve as judge of the Bee; and ex-convict and official Comfort Counselor for the Bee, Mitch Mahoney.

High School students present their spring musical "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" Thursday through Saturday, 8pm in the school auditorium. Tickets are $15 (adult) or $10 (student) at the door. 

For ticket information, call Nicolette Perna at 201-262-0172 ext. 2243 as tickets have been selling out quickly.

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