Spelling bees aren’t normally seen as funny, but the next musical at New Mexico Tech’s Macey Center promises to be hilarious. The New Mexico Tech CLASS Department and Socorro Community Theater present The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee for three performances: Thursday through Saturday, March 26-28 beginning at 7:30 p.m.

The musical won multiple Tony Awards after it opened on Broadway in 2005 and has just had a revival in an off-Broadway venue. Audiences around the world have enjoyed this fast paced, humorous story. It features six middle schoolers who vie for the championship of a lifetime. The tweens share humorous and touching stories from their home lives while spelling their way through a series of potentially made-up words. 

“After two very big spring shows -- The Addams Family in 2024 and Anything Goes in 2025-- we wanted a show that was technically simpler, but showcased the talent of our local theater folks,” said Steve Simpson,  producer. “Over the past several years, we have amassed a very talented group of local actors.” 

When choosing the musical, said Jess Bice, director, “I was looking for a more actor-focused musical as opposed to the golden-age musical that has lots of dancing and singing.” It also has a smaller cast, which has allowed her to focus on characterization and developing the relationships between actors. 

“It’s been a really good experience so far,” she said about the rehearsal process which started in January.

Adding to the fun, the musical includes audience participation. Three or four members of the audience will be chosen to participate, allowing for improvisation with the possibilities of more hilarity and making each evening unique.

Bice moved to Socorro a couple of years ago, but she’s always been involved in theater, she said. Her first full length production with Socorro Community Theater was Macbeth in 2024. That, she admits, was an ambitious undertaking.  “This musical incorporates more layers than a straight play, because we have music and dancing,” she said,  so she coordinates with a music director and choreographer. “We’re learning music and we’re learning dance[s] on top of blocking and learning lines.”

Many in the cast are New Mexico Tech students, and for some it will be their first musical. There are also veteran Socorro Community Theater actors. Everyone has been very hardworking, Bice said, adding, “I’d like to give a shout out to Jay Blanchard who is not only in the cast, but is rehearsal pianist as well,” she said.

“I’ve been so grateful for this opportunity. I’m grateful for Steve believing in me. It’s been a really rewarding process and the cast has been so hardworking,” she added. 

Actors are: Heather Kovach, Christopher (Topher) Blue, Sarah Moses, Jackson Orr, Jalethzie (Jal) Pena, Nancy Avila Do, Vianey Medina Soto, James Kovach, Jay Blanchard, Abelino Fernandez Leger, Minnie Mao and Steven Cox.

Working along with Jess Bice, director, and Steve Simpson, producer, are Jalethzie Pena, assistant director; Stage Manager Olivia Boatman, Choreographer Maddie Stamp, Pit Director Eric Sewell, and Mary Ellen Fore, costume designer. Sophie Bauer designed the props and Cole Mason, William Anderson, Beaumont Chrismer, and  Zoe Finholm complete the production crew. Providing the music is Kaitlan Grigg, Jack Hill, Paul Demorest, Taffeta Elliott, Kristal Kent and Ananay Sethi.

“I’m very excited to share this hilarious show,” said Jess Bice. “Essentially it’s about outcasts, you know, middle schoolers who don’t really fit in. And I think we’ve all been [outcasts]at one point in our life.”

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit nmt.edu/pas or call 575-835-5688 or email pas@nmt.edu.