Shows
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
Directed & Choreographed by
Margaret McFadden
January 22, 2025-February 1, 2026
Plaza Theatre at the Boston Center for the Arts
539 Tremont Street, Boston, MA 02116
About the Show
Winner of the Tony and the Drama Desk Awards for Best Book, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee has charmed audiences across the country with its effortless wit and humor. Featuring a fast-paced, wildly funny and touching book by Rachel Sheinkin and a truly fresh and vibrant score by William Finn, this bee is one unforgettable experience.
An eclectic group of six mid-pubescents vie for the spelling championship of a lifetime. While candidly disclosing hilarious and touching stories from their home lives, the tweens spell their way through a series of (potentially made-up) words, hoping never to hear the soul-crushing, pout-inducing, life un-affirming "ding" of the bell that signals a spelling mistake. Six spellers enter; one speller leaves a champion! At least the losers get a juice box.
A riotous ride, complete with audience participation, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is a delightful den of comedic genius. This is a spelling bee you'll actually want to attend!
The Cast
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Ashley Ha
Marcy Park
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Anna Wright
Logainne 'Schwartzy'
Kaden Mays
William Barfée
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Alex Kennedy
Leaf Coneybear
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Maya Gopalswamy
Olive Ostrovsky
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Cameron Nye
Chip Tolentino
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Amanda Wade
Rona Lisa Peretti
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Josh Telepman
Douglas Panch
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Salvatore Garcia
Mitch Mahoney
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Andreas Buntinas
Swing
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Shea Korman
Swing
Nicholas Page
Swing
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Sofia Elisa
Swing
The Design and Production Team
Margaret McFadden
Director & Choreographer
Kayla Copping
Stage Manager
Kevin Parker
Scenic Designer &Technical Director
Mac Medeiros
Assistant Stage Manager/Props
John Eldridge
Music Director
Carlie Nieman
Production Manager
Geoffrey Edwards
Sound Designer & Consultant
Margaret Whyte
Assistant Director
Nars Kelliher
Lighting Designer
Samantha Wolfrum
Costume Designer
Brennan Davies
Production Electrician
The Wolves by Sarah Delappe
Directed by
Margaret McFadden
October 17-19, 2025
Plaza Theatres at Boston Center for the Arts
539 Tremont Street, Boston, MA 02116
About the Show
The Wolves follows an elite indoor girls’ soccer team as they warm up, stretch, and banter before each of their weekly games. Like their mascot, the wolf, these girls run in a pack with all the hierarchy, loyalty, cruelty, and devotion one would expect. In this story of adolescent discovery and dismay, the cast kicks about their identities on a soccer field filled with peer pressure, social constructs, and expectations. Be prepared to be at the edge of your seat as the drama and gossip rolls about faster than the shots on goal. A finalist for the Pulitzer Prize, The Wolves has been hailed as one of the most exciting contemporary plays of the last decade. Directed by The Hive’s Founder & Producing Artistic Director, Margaret McFadden, this story offers a fitting introduction to the company’s mission of producing contemporary theatre that engages teens and young adults.
Estimated Run Time
90 minutes with one intermission
Content Warning
The Wolves contains strong language, discussions of sexual content, and references to mental health struggles, eating disorders, and mentions of death and grief.
The Cast
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Ariel Phillips
#00
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Caitlyn Luria
#2
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Lily Ayotte
#13
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Angelina Russo
#14
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Saylor Swick
Swing
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Angelina Ortiz
Swing
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Mary Surette
#7
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Margaret Whyte
#8
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Olivia Lampert
#11
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Emma DeWitt
#25
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Miranda Slingluff
#46
Dori Robinson
Soccer Mom
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Brooke Webster
Swing
The Design and Production Team
Margaret McFadden
Director
Kayla Copping
Stage Manager
Kevin Parker
Technical Director
Danielle Ibrahim
Scenic and Props Designer
Isaak Olson
Lighting Designer
Samantha Wolfrum
Costume Designer
Read About The Wolves
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A Note From The Artistic Director
I am thrilled to introduce our inaugural season with The Wolves by Sarah DeLappe and our upcoming production of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. I knew I wanted The Hive's first season to explore themes of coming of age and young adulthood. One is a drama set on the soccer field, the other a musical comedy in a school gym, yet both use competition as a vehicle to capture the reality of growing up and finding your community. Both unapologetically embrace the messiness of adolescence in their own way!
I’m passionate about highlighting the wealth of talented early-career artists here in Boston. The Wolves and Spelling Bee give me the opportunity to feature so many young adult actors on stage. I also hope that showcasing young actors in relevant, coming-of-age stories will encourage more teens and young adults to experience live theater.
I chose The Wolves for many reasons, but above all, I love how it authentically and unapologetically captures the realities of growing up as a modern young woman. The play explores the tension between being a part of a group and being an individual. Like wolves, these girls can be vicious and cruel to one another, but they are also a pack that must stick together to survive. Ultimately, they show us young women who know the rules of the game and how to win, both together and as unique selves.
Spelling Bee is one of my favorite musicals. Beneath the clever comedy is a story about belonging, resilience, and the universal desire to be seen for who we truly are. I love the way the show invites the audience into the show through its interactive spelling rounds. I hope the audience participation breaks down the barrier between performers and the audience, making the experience especially engaging for young people who may be seeing live theater for the first time.