UDM first college to land 'Putnam Spelling Bee'

Greg Grobis, general manager of the UDM Theatre Company, is busy preparing the first-ever college production of the smash Broadway musical "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee." To secure the rights for "Spelling Bee," Grobis, who will direct, contacted MTI Publishing and applied earlier this spring to be notified of the show's availability. Grobis had found out from a friend who stage-managed a national tour of the show that the rights would be available for the upcoming theatre season.

The rest of the 2009-10 UDM season was chosen, leaving a slot open for the show and, finally, in mid-August, UDM acquired the rights, with actual scripts arriving at the end of August.

"Spelling Bee" will feature a small cast of strong, hilarious characters that student actors will bring to life.

"While the show features 'little kids,' it is perfect for the college crowd," Grobis said.

"The kids have adult issues explained in comical means," Grobis said. According to him, one of the production's most recognizable songs is "My Unfortunate Erection," about the defending champ getting distracted and spelling a word incorrectly.

The show features "hot topics of the generation" that UDM students are sure to find funny, engaging and relatable, Grobis added.

"Spelling is something everyone can do, but not everyone is [necessarily] good at it," he said.

To illustrate that point, the show will become interactive, with audience members invited on stage to participate in the spelling bee itself. The actors will be required to be on their toes, ready for anything, with each show bringing something new.

Grobis invites UDM students to become involved with the Theatre Company in any way that they are able. People are always needed to help build sets and to work backstage during performances, he said.

"The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" will open Nov. 13 at the Marygrove College Theatre on the Marygrove campus on Livernois. It will run weekends until Nov. 22.

For more information, visit the Theatre Company homepage on the university website.