Courtesy photo.
MOORPARK — The Moorpark College Theatre Arts Department is excited to offer admission at no cost to its summer production of “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.” The play runs July 22 through Aug. 8 with Thursday through Saturday performances at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. This Tony Award-winning musical is a “Moving Forward Together” event as the college welcomes back students, faculty, staff and the community to the Moorpark College campus.
“Our theatre arts students are excited to be performing before a live audience again,” said John Loprieno, director and theatre arts faculty member. “We couldn’t think of a better way to welcome everyone back to campus than by offering free performances. Best of all, we have familiar faces from years past, as well as many newcomers to the theatre arts program and Moorpark College performing in this production. With the Exotic Animal Training Management/America’s Teaching Zoo open and live, in-person theatre returning, it’s wonderful to see so many people from the community coming back to enjoy the Moorpark College campus.”
“The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” is a hilarious tale of overachievers’ angst chronicling the experience of six adolescent outsiders vying for the spelling championship of a lifetime. The show’s creative team has developed the unlikeliest of hit musicals about the unlikeliest of heroes: a quirky yet charming 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 original production was conceived by Rebecca Feldman with music and lyrics by William Finn, a book written by Rachel Sheinkin and additional material by Jay Reiss.
“The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” performances will be in the Studio Theatre of the Moorpark College Performing Arts Center, 7075 Campus Road, Moorpark. While some of the language may not be appropriate for young children, this upbeat musical romp promises fun for the entire family.
Tickets are free to anyone interested, but seating is limited. Reservations must be made through the Moorpark College Performing Arts Center Box Office at (805) 378-1485 or online at moorparkcollege.edu/pac.
For additional information regarding “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” or the Moorpark College Theatre Arts program, contact Loprieno at (805) 378-1469 or at jloprieno@vcccd.edu.
About Moorpark College — Moorpark College is one of three colleges in the Ventura County Community College District and annually serves more than 14,000 students. Founded in 1967, Moorpark College is fully accredited and has the highest six-year completion rate within the California Community College System. The Campaign for College Opportunity named Moorpark College a 2020 Champion of Higher Education for the Associate Degree for Transfer Pathway. It is also a designated Hispanic-Serving Institution. The college’s signature career/technical programs include nursing, radiologic technology, biotechnology and journalism. The college’s America’s Teaching Zoo is the only associate degree exotic animal training program in the country. To learn more, visit MoorparkCollege.edu or follow @MoorparkCollege on social media.