The Drama Group kicks off its 91st year as a community theater with the presentation of “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” over two weekends starting Sept. 30 at its studio at 330 W. 202nd St., Chicago Heights.
The production features an eclectic group of six mid-pubescents who are vying for the spelling championship of a lifetime. Each contestant candidly discloses hilarious and touching stories from their home lives during the contest.
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 their spelling mistake.
There’s only one winner, but the losers get a prize – a juice box.
Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Sept. 30 and Oct. 1 and repeated at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Oct. 6, 7 and 8. The afternoon performances at 2 p.m. are Sundays, Oct. 2 and 9.
General admission tickets are $23 and are available through the Drama Group BookTix website at dg.booktix.com.
All guests are required to show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 PRC test. Everyone is required to wear a mask.
As part of the performance, The Drama Group invites patrons to participate in its drive for school supplies and art supplies for Chicago Heights Middle School. A box for donations will be set up in the lobby as part of the Drama Group’s community outreach programs initiative.
“The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” is the first of the Drama Group’s 2022-23 season. Upcoming performances include the musical “The Christmas Schooner” presented in December; “Steel Magnolias” set for February; “Violet” in late April and early May; a yet to be named comedy scheduled in June; and the musical “Once On This Island” performed in August.
The Drama Group is a member of Southland Arts along with 26 arts organizations, and acknowledges grant support from the Illinois Arts Council Agency through federal funds provided by the National Endowment for the Arts.
For additional information, visit The Drama Group website at www.dramagroup.org.