By Siena Oliver, ’27

Opinions Editor

Hanover High School’s 2025 musical production was a huge hit! Rehearsed during the fall, and performed three nights before Thanksgiving, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee starred 19 Hanover High School students, with help from many more in the crew and the musical pit (cast, crew and pit lists in photo gallery below).

This musical, as its name suggests, is a comedic and highly dramatized take on an average school county spelling bee. Premiering on Broadway in 2005, it follows six children, each with different quirks and backstories, and three adults throughout the duration of the Bee. While there are several things that make this show unique, even in the world of musical theatre, one notable difference is its use of timing and setting. While many musicals have stories that span days or longer in just one show, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee seems to happen in real time. There are no time skips, set changes, or aging characters. The musical lasts just under two hours, and so does the spelling bee it depicts. This, along with the remarkable level of audience interactivity and cast improvisation, allow audience members to feel especially present when attending the musical.

In addition, and perhaps most uniquely, the show is always changing, and even includes volunteers who are participating the the Bee in real time. Every single production of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee will vary greatly, even those preformed by the same cast and crew from night to night. This is because the show relies heavily on both the actors’ improvisation and audience volunteers. At the beginning of each performance, four volunteers are called up to the stage from the audience. They, in many cases, have no formal acting experience whatsoever. These volunteers are welcomed to the stage, then treated like every other “contestant” (actor) in the Bee. As the show goes on, the characters, along with the audience volunteers, are given words to spell in front of the crowd. Improvisation is utilized by the onstage actors when the volunteers are called up to spell a word, and to determine their reaction depending on if the word is spelled correctly or not.

As a member of the cast for the HHS production, this show was a one-of-a-kind experience. Seeing the musical come together for opening night, and be received so well by each of our audiences, was such a treat. The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is a hilarious yet touching show that incorporates elements I had not previously seen in a musical. Being a part or this production and connecting with the amazing cast, crew, and pit members, is an experience I will never forget.

Maverick Langill, who has worked behind the scenes of many HHS shows and was part of this crew, shared a similar sentiment. “Even though at times it was stressful, it was an amazing show to be part of. I would work crew for this show every year if I could.”

Click on the images below to enlarge.