PRESS RELEASE: NOVEMBER 9, 2026

FloArts presents the musical “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee”

'The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee'

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Florida School of the Arts presents the Tony Award winning “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,” music and lyrics by William Finn, book by Rachel Sheinkin. A riotous ride - complete with audience participation - this musical is a delightful den of comedic genius.

Six awkward but endearing middle school students compete for the spelling championship of a lifetime in this fast-paced, heartwarming musical comedy. As they tackle impossibly difficult words, each speller reveals touching and hilarious stories about family, friendship, and growing up.

The show runs in the FloArts Blackbox Theater:
Friday, November 20 at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, November 21 at 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, November 22 at 2:30 p.m.

The entrance to the Blackbox theater is located through the new center lobby and to the left of the mainstage theater.

Admission is $10 per person. Tickets can be purchased online.

Erik DeCicco, from the University of North Florida, has returned to FloArts as a guest director.

The cast includes Zachary Schaefer as Chip Tolentino/Jesus, Vix Garcia-Ceballos as Logainne “Schwartzy” Schwartzandgrubenierre, Peter Fisk as Leaf Coneybear, Asa Baghurst as William Barfee, Lilly Johnson as Marcy Park, Kailani Jackson as Olive Ostrovsky, Katie Hicks as Rona Lisa Peretti, Winchaell Villarico as Douglas Panch, Slade Clay as Mitch Mahoney.

Content Disclosure: The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee contains mild adult language, sexual humor and innuendo, and themes related to adolescence and puberty. While the characters are middle school students, some material is written with adult audiences in mind. Recommended for teen and adult audiences. Parental discretion is advised.

Dr. Erik DeCicco was born and raised in Jacksonville. He graduated from Stanton College Prep, Jacksonville University, earned an M.F.A. in Acting at The University of Louisville, and an Ed.D. from The University of New England. Erik has acted and directed for the past twenty years. His credits include: West Side Story, The Mystery of Edwin Drood, Beauty and the Beast, Big River, Jump Man! A Mario Musical (2014 NYC Fringe Best Musical Winner), Amadeus, Seminar, Phantom, Next to Normal. TV: AMC’s Making of the Mob, Mysteries at the Museum. Directing: In the Heights, Legally Blonde, Urinetown, Little Women, The 39 Steps, Weird Romance, Into the Woods, Little Shop of Horrors, Once on This Island, Xanadu. He co-starred in the feature film, Albert and Claude, and will be seen in the 2026 Bevery Hills Film Festival as a co-star in the short, Would You Rather?