FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Brett Mannes Executive Director pH Productions, nfp brett@whatisph.com

THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE COMES TO THE pH COMEDY THEATER THIS FALL

ANDERSONVILLE – pH Productions is proud to present the popular one-act musical comedy, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee this fall at Chicago’s pH Comedy Theater. The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee tells the hilarious story of six socially challenged adolescents vying for the title of Spelling Bee Champ. Run by a former champion, a disgraced Vice Principal, and a frightening Comfort Counselor, the Bee proves to be a life-changing experience for all involved. pH is thrilled to have included Putnam County in its 2016 season because of the show’s emphasis on audience participation. Each night, four audience members will be brought up on stage to compete in the Bee against the cast during the production. Directed by Patrick Serrano and assistant directors Johnnalee Kutkzke and Matthew Ek, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee opens Saturday, Sept. 17 and will close Sunday, Nov. 6. The show will play every Saturday at 9:30pm and Sunday at 7pm. Musical direction is by Erin Elisabeth Smith. The cast is (in order of appearance): Suzanna Ziko as Rona Lisa Perretti Chase Ingrande as Chip Tolentino Tristan Tanner as Logainne SchwartzandGrubenniere Jake Farrington as Leaf Coneybeargmai Jason Geis as William Barfee Jessica Herron as Marcy Park Hannah Starr as Olive Ostrovsky Brett Mannes as Vice Principal Douglas Panch Dan Wright as Comfort Counselor Mitch Mahoney The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee at a Glance Where: The pH Comedy Theater, 1515 W. Berwyn Ave. in Andersonville When: Saturdays, 9:30pm & Sundays, 7:00pm (OPEN: Sept. 17 / CLOSE: Nov. 6) How Much: $20 general admission / $15 with student ID at the box office Total Run Time: 1 hour 40 minutes

THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI).

All authorized performance materials are also authorized by MTI.

About The pH Comedy Theater

The pH Comedy Theater, located at 1515 W. Berwyn, is the home of not-for-profit comedy arts organization, pH Productions. pH Productions has been putting up original comedic work since 2002. The name pH comes from the idea of group chemistry. In science, the pH scale is used to measure how acidic or basic a substance is which explains pH Productions perfectly as they have a wide range of performers and shows that all add up to one funny solution. pH’s productions are a fully participatory experience and the audience leaves most every show having contributed to its outcome. pH also strives to be an affordable alternative, with most ticket prices $15 or less. pH Productions is also the producer of the Chicago Zombie Pub Crawl, which began in 2008 and welcomes nearly 1000 zombies into the bars of Andersonville every spring. pH Productions is a recognized 501(c)(3) not-for-profit arts organization in the State of Illinois.