“Laughter is the best medicine.”
If that is the case then I overdosed last night. This morning my stomach has residual pain from laughing harder than I have in eons. I wasn’t alone in my uproarious fits, either. An entire auditorium of people, including my 16 year old son, were laughing with me as we attended Kankakee Valley Theater Association’s production of “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.” Under the direction of Tyler McMahon, the cast of nine spell their way into song, dance and comedy unlike any other production I have ever seen. That includes professional theater.
From the second the orchestra conductor walked out to let the audience know the ‘gymatorium’ rules I was giggling and snorting.
The cast and crew seamlessly adlibbed their way through a set blunder and other unexpected circumstances. Had I not been told after the show ended how it was supposed to have played out I never would have known it wasn’t part of the show. To be unable to detect improvisation from rehearsed lines is a testament to the actors’ skill.
If you’re in the Kankakee area or within driving distance, I implore you to treat yourself to attending the spelling bee. You won’t be sorry. Plus, you may learn a few things about word origins and yourself.

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
Music and Lyrics by William Finn
Book by Rachel Sheinkin
…Kankakee Junior High School
Saturday, February 19th, 7:00 pm
Sunday, February 20th, 2:00 pm
Saturday, February 26th, 7:00 pm
Sunday, February 27th, 2:00 pm
Ticket Prices:
Adults: $15
Senior/Youth: $12
Download Ticket Order Form
Tickets may be ordered at any time by MAIL to:
Kankakee Valley Theatre Association
P.O. Box 744
Kankakee, IL 60901
Two weeks prior to a production, tickets may be ordered by PHONE:
815–935-8510
NEW BOX OFFICE HOURS
Monday – Friday
5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Spell it W-o-n-d-e-r-f-u-l!
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee rocks the world with a funny yet touching rendition of the ever loved memories of a “spelling bee.” We find 6 students in a spell off. A sweet, shy girl who’s finds solace in words, last year’s winner who is growing in more ways than one, a precocious young lady with a father that would stop at nothing to make her the champ, an over achiever who twirls a baton, does the splits, plays the piano and speaks six languages, a quivering mass of a boy who writes out the words with his foot and a perpetual second runner up. They may be able to spell words like capybara, and pyrrhuloxia but that doesn’t even even begin to spell their insecurities.
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee Cast List
William Barfee .… .… .… .… .… .… .…Nico Garcia
Olive Ostrovsky .… .… .… .… .… .… … Stacie Knefelkamp
Leaf Coneybear .… .… .… .… .… .… … Louis Wood
Marcy Park .… .… .… .… .… .… .… . . Aubrey LaLuna
Chip Tolentino .… .… .… .… .… .… .… Josh Hedding
Logainne Schwartzandgrubenierre .… .… .… . . Cassandra Hustedt
Rona Lisa Peretti .… .… .… .… .… .… . . Maria Barwegen
Douglas Panch .… .… .… .… .… .… .… David Fuller
Mitch Mahoney .… .… .… .… .… .… .… Earl Kroll
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee Staff
Director .… .… .… .… .… .… .… .… Tyler McMahon
Asst. Director .… .… .… .… .… .… .… Malcom Jones
Vocal Director .… .… .… .… .… .… .… Stacey Ray
Costumer .… .… .… .… .… .… .… … Bonnie Brewer
Production Coordinator .… .… .… .… .… . Paula Sutter
Rehearsal Pianist .… .… .… .… .… .… . Pat Nolan
Conductor .… .… .… .… .… .… .… . . Jeanne Benson
Stage Manager/Props .… .… .… .… .… . . Pat Ward
Set Decoration .… .… .… .… .… .… … Donna Worth
Hair/Make-Up .… .… .… .… .… .… .… Rozy Labriola