A FAST-paced, crazily funny and touching musical with a truly fresh and vibrant score is the Kendal College end of year spectacular.

With a tongue twisting title, the 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is hailed as "comedic genius" by the New York Times and promises to be the biggest ever show by Kendal College’s performing and production arts students with more than 50 students on stage and 25 backstage.

Director Hilary Pezet said as far as she knew the Tony Award winning show had not been performed before in this area: "It will be quite a treat to see as it's not like any other musical I've directed. With complex harmonies, tricky but hilarious comedy, and some other very complex moments, it's causing me sleepless nights.

"However, I'm delighted to be back with the wonderful Kerry Howard who has had to create dances for this show where they don’t exist as the original cast was only nine actors, so thinking how to make it work for our large cast who need to be as involved as possible has been quite an obsession. The singing coaching and musical direction is under the expert guidance of Emily Robinson and our longstanding MD, Alex Phillips.

"As ever KC has technical theatre students designing, building and operating all the backstage elements of the show led by the new team of Alistair Nicholson and Glen Hanmer.

"This year more than ever our final students are progressing on to excellent destinations from LAMDA to Royal Central and LIPA and East 15 for example, and we couldn't be prouder of them all whatever they progress to."

Hilary explained that the show was recommended by former student Georgie Buckland: "She thought the Spelling Bee would suit my demand for challenge, great music and comedy - which it certainly does."

The story revolves around a Spelling Bee competition and follows the fortunes of six of the spellers.

Hilary pointed out that the original Broadway version of the show launched the careers of actors such as Dan Fogler from Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, and Jess Tyler Ferguson, Mitch in Modern Family, so the comedic challenges for the cast was to find their own equally funny version of the written characters: "The story shows the ups and down of the Bee and about winning and losing through hilarious, touching, and catchy songs as each speller reveals his or her hopes, struggles, and passions as they make their way through the competition.

"So don’t be put off by the word spelling in the title of as it is great fun and definitely a great night out."

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee runs at Kendal's Brewery Arts Centre from Wednesday, June 13 until Saturday, June 16.

Performances start at 7.30pm with 1pm matinees on Friday and Saturday.

Box office 01539-725133

A FAST-paced, crazily funny and touching musical with a truly fresh and vibrant score is the Kendal College end of year spectacular.

With a tongue twisting title, the 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is hailed as "comedic genius" by the New York Times and promises to be the biggest ever show by Kendal College’s performing and production arts students with more than 50 students on stage and 25 backstage.

Director Hilary Pezet said as far as she knew the Tony Award winning show had not been performed before in this area: "It will be quite a treat to see as it's not like any other musical I've directed. With complex harmonies, tricky but hilarious comedy, and some other very complex moments, it's causing me sleepless nights.

"I'm delighted to be back with the wonderful Kerry Howard who has had to create dances for this show where they don’t exist as the original cast was only nine actors, so thinking how to make it work for our large cast who need to be as involved as possible has been quite an obsession. The singing coaching and musical direction is under the expert guidance of Emily Robinson and our longstanding MD, Alex Phillips.

"Originally we were going to be presenting the Wedding Singer - until I actually read the script and hated it - but a recommendation from ex- student Georgie Buckland, now studying at the Royal Conservatoire in Glasgow, sealed it as she thought the Spelling Bee would suit my demand for challenge, great music and comedy - which it certainly does."

The story revolves around a Spelling Bee competition and follows the fortunes of six of the spellers.

Hilary pointed out that the original Broadway version of the show launched the careers of actors such as Dan Fogler from Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, and Jess Tyler Ferguson, Mitch in Modern Family, so the comedic challenges for the cast was to find their own equally funny version of the written characters: "The story shows the ups and down of the Bee and about winning and losing through hilarious, touching, and catchy songs as each speller reveals his or her hopes, struggles, and passions as they make their way through the competition."

As ever KC has technical theatre students designing, building and operating all the backstage elements of the show led by the new team of Alistair Nicholson and Glen Hanmer.

"This year more than ever our final students are progressing on to excellent destinations from LAMDA to Royal Central and LIPA and East 15 for example, and we couldn't be prouder of them all whatever they progress to.

"So don’t be put off by the word spelling in the title of as it is great fun and definitely a great night out."

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee runs at Kendal's Brewery Arts Centre from Wednesday, June 13 until Saturday, June 16.

Performances start at 7.30pm with 1pm matinees on Friday and Saturday.

Box office 01539-725133