Clockwise starting top left: Joy Donze*, Tyler Spencer, Brendan Gotham, Tyler Nye*,
Max Morter, Hannah-Kathryn Wall, Jenna Gilmer, Kelly McCarty & Dylan Holt
About the show:
An eclectic group of six mid-pubescents vie for the spelling championship of a lifetime. While candidly disclosing hilarious and touching stories from their home lives, 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 a spelling mistake. Six spellers enter: one speller leaves! At least the losers get a juice box.
Winner of the Tony and the Drama Desk Awards for Best Book, this musical has charmed audiences across the country with its effortless wit and humor. A riotous ride, complete with audience participation, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is a delightful den of comedic genius.
The show runs 90 minutes, no intermission. This show contains some crude humor (PG-13)
Artistic and Production Team Bios:
Anthony Lopez (Director) is proud to make his directorial debut at Pendragon! As an actor, Anthony is known for his roles on TV's Broad City, Homeland, and New Amsterdam, as well as in Sam Gold's critically acclaimed production of Othello at New York Theatre Workshop, starring Daniel Craig, David Oyelowo, and Rachel Brosnahan. In 2019, Anthony was named one of Queerty's Pride50 honorees alongside Lizzo, Elton John, Armistead Maupin, and others, recognizing Anthony's visibility at the intersection of queerness and disability. Look for Anthony in New York Theatre Workshop’s upcoming production of Three Sisters, starring Greta Gerwig, Steve Buscemi, and Oscar Isaac, directed by Sam Gold.
Samuel Brown (Music Director) Hi there! My name is Samuel Brown. I am 24 years old and a student at SUNY Purchase College currently studying Music Performance. I play the trombone primarily but have learned to play many other instruments while studying at SUNY Potsdam Crane School of Music. Here are some other random facts. I love tea! I watch anime. Star Wars! Marvel! Minecraft! Basketball! I like pastries. I have a bearded dragon named Temari. My favorite color is green. And last but not least, I wanted a pet duck throughout my childhood and still do.
Joy Donze* (Rona Lisa Peretti) is a queer identified Actor/Director. She is happy to be returning to Pendragon after performing in An Iliad last summer. Thanks so much to Sarah and Mike for bringing her back, and special thanks to the cast and crew. Joydonze.com
Jenna Gilmer (Marcy Park) is a recent graduate of Western Carolina University, where she earned her BFA in acting. Some of her recent WCU roles have included: Hermia in “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” Heather McNamera in “Heathers,” and Benvolio in “Romeo and Juliet.” Jenna is thrilled to be making her Pendragon debut and she hopes you enjoy the show!
Brendan Gotham (Douglas Panch) loves all things theatre and is active in Pendragon and the Adirondack Stage Rats. His previous favorite credits include: Death of a Salesman (Biff), Tuesdays With Morrie (Mitch), Guys on Ice (Marvin), and numerous CTP Productions. Brenden is an English teacher and directs at Lake Placid High School. Love to his incredible wife, Amy, and his son, Liam.
Dylan Holt (William Barfée) My name is Dylan Holt. I am 22 and a recent graduate of Illinois Wesleyan University with a BFA in Music Theatre. I am from a little village of 500 called Pesotum, Illinois. This will be my first theatre job, and I am very excited to finally get into the professional business of theatre with Pendragon!
Sarah Grace Houston (Choreographer) is an NYC based dancer, choreographer, actor, and stage combatant! After getting her BFA through Alvin Ailey & Fordham University, Sarah Grace had the pleasure to choreograph many a comedic musical theater piece and is thrilled out the wazoo to be choreographing her first full length musical with Pendragon. When not choreographing slapstick to every song she hears, you can catch Sarah Grace swinging steel at the New York Renaissance Faire!
Kelly McCarty (Logainne SchwartzandGrubenierre) is a NYC based actor. Recent credits: Connecticut Repertory Theatre under the direction of Terrence Mann (Sophie in Mamma Mia), Playhouse on the Square- Ostrander Award Nominated (Winnie in Tuck Everlasting, Phoebe in A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder). She trains vocally with Bradley Dean (Broadway: Phantom of the Opera, Dear Evan Hansen). Special thanks to Sarah, Mike, Kelly’s parents, Artie, Alex, and her close friends for their love and support. Western Carolina University. @kellylaurenmccarty www.kelly-mccarty.com
Max Morter (Chip Tolentino) is a rising senior at Western Carolina University’s Musical Theatre program. In his home state of Oregon, he worked extensively in community theatre projects ranging from A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Puck) to Catch Me If You Can (Frank Abagnale, Jr.). Their professional work includes the outdoor drama Unto These Hills (Dancer, Lewis Cass) and All Shook Up (Chad). He’s honored to be making his New York debut! You can find him @Max_Morter on Instagram
Tyler Nye* (Mitch Mahoney) is thrilled to be back on stage at Pendragon. Previous credits - eight seasons! - include Disgraced, Deathtrap, Amadeus, Baskerville, and Shipwrecked!. At Saint Michael's Playhouse in Colchester, VT: The 39 Steps, Laughter on the 23rd Floor, and See How They Run. New York credits include The Mystery of Irma Vep, Twelfth Night, As You Like It, and The Glass Menagerie. Thank you for coming to the theatre. www.tylernye.com
Ashleigh Poteat (Set Designer) has designed scenery, costumes, and properties around the country, working in Florida, Washington, New York, Nevada, North Carolina & New Jersey. BA from University of North Carolina Asheville; MFA University of Nevada-Las Vegas. Most recently, her costume design for H*tler's Tasters was featured off-Broadway at Theatre Row.
Olivia Ramos (Production Stage Manager) Hailing from Charlotte, North Carolina, Olivia is a rising senior at Western Carolina University where she will graduate with a BFA in Entertainment Design and Technology. She has recently devoted the rest of her college career to focus on Stage Management and Production Management. She loves the idea of bringing a director’s vision to life and working closely with cast and crew to create a positive work environment, and a safe space to produce something great!
Tyler Spencer (Leaf Coneybear) is a rising sophomore at Western Carolina University with BFA in Musical Theatre. Booked and blessed, tagged and bagged! Thanks to my friends and family for believing in me and supporting me in all that I do.Much love. Gratitude to God and I am so grateful to embark on this new journey and experience. I am honored to be a part of this wonderful group of people! Happiness over everything.
Kent Streed (Costume Designer) has over 30 years of history working at Pendragon.
Conor Thiele (Lighting Designer) is a visual artist and collaborator who is driven by the unlimited potential of live performance. Based out of NYC, Conor is an alumni of the Juilliard apprenticeship program and recently accepted to the Boston University MFA program for Lighting Design. Select credits include: Adelphi Dance Showcase (Adelphi University), The House of Legendary (The Seagle Festival), and Children of Eden (Bayway Arts Center). He would like to thank all the people in his life for their support and encouragement.
Hannah-Kathryn Wall (Olive Ostrovsky) is ecstatic to be joining the Pendragon family! She’s thrilled to have been able to direct Frozen Jr. for Camp Pendragon as well as portray Olive Ostrovsky in Spelling Bee and Kim in The Woods this summer 2022 season. HK recently graduated from Western Carolina University with her BFA in Musical Theatre! She would like to thank her family and friends for all their love and support! Enjoy the show!